Do you love Maths? Do you feel excited to solve math problems? Then test your math skills at Olympiads. It is the most prestigious competition that tests your math skills and allows you to compete with students from across the globe. Preparing for Olympiads requires knowledge beyond textbooks; that’s where Math Olympiad sample papers help.
This blog will explore the SOF Math Olympiad sample papers, Math Olympiad questions with answers, class-wise Math Olympiad sample papers, and free Math Olympiad PDF downloads.
Key Takeaways
- Math Olympiad sample papers play a vital role in preparing for Olympiads.
- The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) organizes one of the major Math Olympiads in India, often referred to as the SOF IMO. The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is a separate prestigious international competition.
- SOF IMO is conducted at 2 levels. Round 1 is conducted at the school level for students from classes 1-12, and the second level is conducted for students from classes 3-12.
- IMO is conducted for high school students and shortlisted students from various Olympiads at the international level.
- The SOF IMO focuses on math concepts like arithmetic and logical reasoning. At the same time, the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) focuses on advanced mathematical topics like differential equations, distribution functions, and linear equations.
- Prepare for Olympiads using sample papers and relevant resources to excel in Olympiads.
- Class-wise Math Olympiads resources are provided in the blog.
- Download PDFs and sample papers through the SOF IMO and IMO official websites.
- Tips on how to crack the Olympiads are provided.
- Students should solve at least 6-7 previous year question papers to understand the types of questions asked in Olympiad exams, learn time management, analyze mistakes, and improve weak areas.
- Vedic Maths shortcuts help save time and improve accuracy in Olympiad exams.
1. Introduction: Why Math Olympiad Sample Papers Matter
Preparing for the Math Olympiads is unlike preparing for the regular school math exam. You need to learn beyond math formulas. You need to understand the math concepts and start applying them. SOF Math Olympiads doesn't test only math skills but also problem-solving skills, thinking abilities, mathematical reasoning, logical reasoning skills, etc.
To excel in Olympiads, you need to solve problems quickly and accurately. This is where Math Olympiad sample papers play a vital role. Olympiad practice tests help in the preparation for Olympiad exams. Solving them regularly increases speed, accuracy, logical thinking, boosts confidence, and allows attempting Olympiads without stress.
2. What is a Math Olympiad?
The Math Olympiad exam is a prestigious exam conducted at the national and international levels. It is a great platform to test students' math skills.
In India, the SOF (Science Olympiad Foundation) organizes the SOF Olympiads, which conduct Olympiad exams on various subjects, including the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), for students of classes 1-12, and are conducted at two levels.
The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is a globally recognized math competition with participants from over 100 countries. Separately, the SOF Olympiad is open to all students from participating schools, whereas IMO is open to qualifiers from various national-level Olympiads, such as the HBCSE Math Olympiad.
Read "Everything you need to know about the Math Olympiad" blog to know more about the Math Olympiad.
3. Benefits of Practicing Sample Papers
Do you know what the best tool is to prepare for the Olympiad?
"Sample Question Papers"
Sample questions for the math Olympiad help students become familiar with the Olympiad question papers and exam pattern, identify weak areas, and boost confidence.
Here are the benefits of practicing sample question papers
- Improves problem-solving - Regular practice helps students solve various problems, improving their problem-solving skills.
- Time management - When students solve the practice sample question papers in real time, they learn to solve them within a time limit.
- Reduces exam fear - Practicing and solving sample question papers reduces exam fear even more, as the students will be familiar with the exam patterns, types of questions, etc.
- Identify weak areas - Consistent practice of the sample question paper helps students identify and improve weak areas.
Student Review
One of our students, Ansh (Class 8), initially struggled with understanding the math questions, especially word problems. After consistently practicing sample papers and mock tests, he easily improved his thinking and understanding of math problems. Now he can do the calculations quickly. Ansh shared, "At first, I was nervous about the math Olympiad, but in previous years, question papers, sample papers, and mock tests helped me solve math problems easily."
4. SOF Math Olympiad Sample Papers (With Download Links)
A smart way to prepare for the SOF Math Olympiads is to use resources like sample papers, PDFs, etc. Use SOF Math Olympiad class-wise sample papers and previous papers for your Olympiad exam preparation.
Here are the class-wise SOF papers
| Class | Downloadable Link |
|---|---|
| Class 1 | Download Here |
| Class 2 | Download Here |
| Class 3 | Download Here |
| Class 4 | Download Here |
| Class 5 | Download Here |
| Class 6 | Download Here |
| Class 7 | Download Here |
| Class 8 | Download Here |
| Class 9 | Download Here |
| Class 10 | Download Here |
| Class 11 | Download Here |
| Class 12 | Download Here |
5. International Math Olympiad Sample Papers
One of the best ways to prepare for a highly competitive exam, such as the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), is to practice with International Math Olympiad sample papers. Unlike SOF Math Olympiads, the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) is more difficult.
SOF IMO (India): conducted for students of classes 1-12, focusing on Logical reasoning, real-world problems, mathematical reasoning, and everyday mathematics.
International IMO: Conducted for high school students involved in advanced mathematics, algebra, number theory, etc.
IMO question papers are challenging as it is one of the prestigious global exams.
Let us see an example of an IMO Maths Olympiad question
- Consider a 2025×2025 grid of unit squares. John wishes to place some rectangular tiles, possibly of different sizes, on the grid, such that each side of every tile lies on a grid line and every square unit is covered by at most one tile. Determine the minimum number of tiles John needs to place so that each row and each grid column has exactly one unit square that is not covered by any tile. (This is a sample problem inspired by the style of IMO questions.)
Try yourself (Answer: 4048)
6. Math Olympiad Questions with Answers (Solved Examples)
Below are the Sample Math Olympiad questions with answers (classes 2,5,8) replicas of the real Math Olympiads. Each question has step-by-step answers like sample Olympiad solutions and a teacher's note explaining the "why" behind the solution.
Class 2 questions:
Q1: Marbles in the box (addition & reasoning - Everyday math)
A box has 16 blue marbles, 8 red marbles, and 11 yellow marbles. How many marbles are there in the box altogether?
Solution: 16+8+11=35
Answer: 35 marbles
Teacher's note: We're modelling group addition here. Let students think of blue, red, and yellow marbles as separate entities and then combine them to find the total.
A helpful strategy is to draw lines or dots with the respective colors of the marble and ask students to count all the lines/dots. When students count all the lines/dots, they see that addition combines groups to find the whole.
Q2: Shortest Path (Money/Comparison)
A toy costs ₹ 75. Arun has 3 notes: ₹10, ₹20, and ₹50. Can he buy the toy?
Solution: Total money = 10 + 20 + 50 = 80. Since ₹80 ≥ ₹75, he can buy the toy
Answer: Yes; he'll have ₹5 left.
Teacher's note: Comparison problems build number sense. Ask: "How much more than 75 is 80?" to perform mental subtraction.
Class 5 question:
Q3: Family relations, Logical Reasoning
Peter's mother is the only daughter of Jenny's father. What is Jenny to Peter?
Answer: Jenny is Peter's mother.
Teacher's note: Jenny's father's only daughter is Jenny herself. Therefore, Jenny is Peter's mother.
Class 8 question:
Q4: Patterns, Logical reasoning
Find the missing number in the given number pattern.
2, 5, 10, 17, 26,?
Solution: Differences are +3, +5, +7, +9... Consecutive odd numbers. missing 26 + 11 = 37
Answer: 37
Teacher's note: This problem checks a student's ability to observe patterns and identify the logic behind sequences.
7. Class-wise Math Olympiad Sample Papers
Practicing class-wise sample papers helps you to understand the concepts and difficulty levels. Below are the examples of Maths Olympiad Sample Papers for classes 2,4,5 give you a clear idea of how exactly the questions will be.
7.1 Maths Olympiad sample papers for class 2
The sample papers are prepared to test students' basic math skills, arithmetic, and logical reasoning. Focused on understanding mathematics fundamentals and problems that are fun and engaging.
Sample Question and answers
Q1: A box contains 11 oranges. Anil eats 5, and his sister eats 3. How many oranges are left in the box?
Answer: Total oranges are 11
Anil eats 5, and his sister eats 3. Together 5+3 = 8
Remaining Oranges = 11 - 8 = 3
Final Answer : 3
Q2: Find the missing number in the series: 2, 4, 8, ?, 32
Answer: The series is a multiple of 2 of the previous number.
2 x 2 = 4
4 x 2 = 8
8 x 2 = 16
16 x 2 = 32
Final Answer: 16
7.2 Maths Olympiad sample papers for class 4
In class 4, problems are tricky and application-based. Focus on a mix of arithmetic, geometry, and logical reasoning.
Sample Question and answers
Q1: A rectangle has a length of 14 cm and a width of 6 cm. Find its perimeter.
Answer: 2 × (14 + 6) = 40 cm.
Q2: A says, “B is the son of the only son of my mother.” How is A related to B?
Answer: Father.
7.3 Maths Olympiad sample papers for class 5
In class 5, word problems, fractions, puzzles, and numerical reasoning are the focus. The sample question paper focuses on applying the concepts creatively.
Sample Question and answers
Q1: A container holds 3/4 liter of milk. How much milk is in 12 such containers?
Answer: 12 × 3/4 = 9 liters.
Q2: Find the pattern value
2, 8, 26, 80,?
Answer: 242
The pattern is multiplied by 3 and adds 2
(2 x 3) + 2 = 8
(8 x 3) + 2 = 26
(26 x 3) + 2 = 80
(80 x 3) + 2 = 242
8. How to Use Sample Papers Effectively
Solving Olympiad practice tests helps students identify their strengths and weaknesses, boost exam confidence, and build a preparation strategy.
Let's see how to use Sample Papers Effectively.
1. Real exam experience
- Attempt sample papers as mock tests under time limits
- Set a real exam environment, like sitting quietly, avoiding distractions, and using only necessary stationery.
- Helps in handling exam pressure
2. Time management
- Divide time between sections
- If you are stuck on one problem, don't waste time; move on to the next problem and come back again.
- Keep note of the time you took to solve the problems and aim to improve the speed.
- 3. Analyze mistakes
- After solving each sample paper, try to analyze the mistakes
- Identify how you committed the error, such as a calculation error, misunderstanding the question, etc.
- Keep a note of errors to track your weak areas or repeating mistakes
- 4. Practice regularly
- Plan and fix a routine
- Start by practicing with a previous year's question, and then practice mixed questions
- Maintain consistency
- 5. Learn from solutions
- After attempting the sample paper, don't just cross-check the answers, but also learn how they solved it.
- Compare your method to the given method and recognize the shortcuts.
9. Expert Tips to Crack Olympiad Exams
Preparing for the Olympiads is not like preparing for any school exam. It requires dedicated time, consistency in practice, and preparation strategies.
Here are the Olympiad preparation tips by experts
1. Start early (2–3 months in advance)
- The best way to prepare for the Olympiad is to have a planned strategy
- Start preparing for the Olympiads 2-3 months in advance to overcome the exam fear
- Learn how to apply concepts instead of rote learning
- Early preparation gives you enough time to prepare well, rectify mistakes, and improve your weak areas.
2. Combine the school syllabus and Olympiad questions
- Use the school syllabus as a foundation, as many Olympiad topics are aligned with the CBSE/NCERT curriculum.
- Learn concepts from the school syllabus and learn how to apply the concepts to excel in Olympiads.
3. Revise formulas & mental math tricks
- Make a note of formulas for quick revision before the exams.
- Learn mental math tricks and Vedic Maths shortcuts for fast calculations. Check out thevedicmaths.com to learn speed math techniques.
4. Practice with sample papers
- Refer to Previous years' old papers and practice them in a timely manner.
- Solve at least 3-4 papers weekly when the exam is closed.
- Analyze mistakes and focus on strengthening the weak areas.
10. Where to Find Free & Paid Olympiad Sample Papers
If you are planning to attend an Olympiad and are looking for free math Olympiad sample papers PDF downloads, here are authoritative sources you can use.
1. SOF Official website - The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) provides classwise sample papers and answers. Access to these resources here: SOF classwise sample papers
2. IMO official portal - The IMO provides question papers from previous years, aiming for higher-level competition. Download IMO Previous year question papers here.
3. Educational publishers - Publishers like Oswaal Books and MTG Learning publish books that include Olympiad model papers, chapter-wise, solved examples, etc.
4. The Vedic Maths Olympiad practice worksheets - At Vedic Maths, we provide mental math tricks, Vedic Maths shortcuts, Olympiad-style practice questions with answer key, and more. Download the Olympiad model worksheets here.
11. Vedic Maths Courses to Master Math Olympiad
Live Vedic Maths Classes Best Selling
Its a 40 day live Classes thought only for children from Grade 3 to 12 covers from Basics to Advance.
- 40 Day Live Program
- Get Individual Attention
- Certification & Lifetime Access
Vedic Maths Bundle Kit Best Selling
Perfect program designed for students from grade 3 - 12, teachers & parents aspiring to grow their career & upskill their children.
- Bundle Offer
- Worksheets & Exercise Problems
- Certification & Lifetime Access
Explore what our students say about Vedic Maths and how it transformed their math skills.
Testimonials from Students
Here are a few reviews from Parents
It has been wonderful experience for my granddaughter. Our brain is nothing but a number crunching machine. Vedic Maths sharpens the brain and improves this number crunching ability.
Madam Mamata has been very good and her teaching was nice. She is sincere and caring towards students.
Please continue the good work and I wish you best luck for the future journey.
Mukund Oke
Happy Grandfather, India
The most interesting and helpful class in the world,
The teacher always clears our doubts until we are clear about the concepts.
Her teaching style is very interactive. she keeps the class more fun also .Thank you mam for giving us a wonderful opportunity to learn with you.
Sengamala Priya
Happy Mother, UAE
I had enrolled my daughter for vedic math class with Miss Mamta and it was a good experience for her to learn the math concepts. Miss Mamta was patiently guiding through the course, helping out in case of doubts and flexible with kids. Thanks for sessions, it was really helpful.
Thivya Nagarajan
Happy Mother, Singapore
Thank you for your wonderful sessions. My daughter really enjoyed throughout this course. No fear of Maths which she had experienced before with abacus.
You will be greatly missed!
Looking for some advanced classes for kids soon!
Geethu Sajad
Happy Mother, UAE
Ms Mamta is very warm and jovial. She made my child feel very comfortable. By sharing her own challenges in math in her early years and how she overcame these challenges she makes everything seem possible. During this short duration of the demo she showed atleast 5 tricks to solving problems there by piquing my daughter’s interest. We are very much looking forward to the classes with Ms Mamta.
Veena Krishnamurthy
Happy Mother, Malaysia
She is an amazing teacher. She has a “no frills, student centered” teaching approach. The personal attention towards every learner in a virtual environment is indeed praiseworthy. The illustrations and practice exercises are perfect to overcome mathematics phobia. As a teacher, I can safely say, she is a wonderful person to teach Maths to the kids of all age groups.
Dr. Manishankar Chakraborty
Happy Father, UAE
12. Conclusion
To attend the SOF IMO International Mathematics, IMO Maths Olympiad, you must practice the Math Olympiad sample papers. These papers build strong problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and confidence.
By practicing with these sample papers, you can excel at time management. The more you practice, the more confident you will be in the exam.
Whether it's an SOF International Mathematics (SOF IMO) exam or an International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) exam, consistent practice with the right resource saves time in preparation. Use the CBSE/NCERT syllabus along with sample Math Olympiad question papers and learn shortcuts to excel in Olympiads.
Download free worksheets or try our Vedic Maths course to learn Vedic Maths shortcuts for improving speed, accuracy, and time management in Math Olympiads.
Remember, Practice + strategy = success in Olympiad.
13. FAQs on Math Olympiad Sample Papers
1Where can I download math Olympiad sample papers?
You can download the Math Olympiad sample papers from the SOF Official website. Sample papers are given class-wise. Students from classes 1-12 can utilize them and practice well for Olympiads.
2Are SOF sample papers available for free?
3How is the SOF Math Olympiad different from IMO?
The SOF Math Olympiad (SOF IMO) exam is conducted at the school level, and students from classes 1-12 can participate in the application process via their respective school authorities.
The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is the most prestigious math competition for high school students. Participants are selected through national competitions to represent their countries.
4What type of questions come in the Class 2 Olympiad?
For the Class 2 Olympiad, questions are based on the CBSE/NCERT syllabus. Focus on strong thinking skills in the field of mathematics and an understanding of mathematics fundamentals. Topics include basic arithmetic, patterns, shapes, number sense, and simple logical reasoning.
5How many sample papers should I solve before the Olympiad?
It is recommended that students solve at least 6-7 sample papers before the Olympiad. This will help them be thorough with topics, question format, shortcuts, and time management, improve calculation speed and accuracy, and build confidence to attend the exam without stress.
6Do Olympiad sample papers come with solutions?
7Is practicing past year papers enough to crack the SOF Olympiad?
Just practicing past year papers is not enough to crack the SOF Olympiad. Students should also practice mock tests and different high-difficulty problems to improve their weak areas.
8Are there any online mock tests for Olympiad preparation?
Yes. SOF provides an Online Mock test that simulates a real Olympiad exam.
9What books are best for Olympiad exam prep?
Some popular books are :
- MTG Olympiad Prep Guides
- Oswaal Olympiad Books
- SOF Workbooks
- NCERT textbooks (for concept clarity)
10Can Vedic Maths tricks help in Olympiad exams?
Yes. Vedic Maths tricks help a lot in Olympiad exams, as they are time-bound. Vedic Maths techniques speed calculations and improve accuracy, helping to save time and reduce mistakes.
