Maths Olympiads for Primary Students: A Parent’s Guide

By the Success Tutoring team · 4 October 2026

School maths Olympiads, such as the SOF International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), are objective (multiple-choice) tests that challenge children with logical reasoning and maths puzzles that go beyond everyday classwork. Children usually register and sit them through their school. The best preparation is a few minutes of puzzle and reasoning practice most days, plus solid revision of the maths syllabus for your child’s class.

What is a maths Olympiad?

A maths Olympiad is a competition-style test designed to reward reasoning and careful thinking, not only quick calculation. Several organisations run Olympiads for school students. One of the best known is the IMO run by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF), a private organisation, for students from Class 1 to 12. Your school will share the dates, fees and registration details, so ask your child’s teacher or the school office.

What does the SOF IMO cover?

The exact number of questions, marks and timing depend on the class and can change, so check the organiser’s official information before the exam.

Skills that make the biggest difference

• Reading the question twice. Many Olympiad questions include a small twist, such as “which is not true?”
• Spotting patterns. Train your child to ask “what changes each time?” for series and codes.
• Quick, accurate number facts. Speed Maths and the Times Tables Challenge free up thinking time.
• Eliminating options. In multiple-choice questions, crossing out answers that cannot be right is a powerful strategy.
• Explaining reasoning. Ask your child to talk through how they solved a puzzle. It builds deeper understanding than simply checking answers.

A sample weekly plan

Which class syllabus applies?

Olympiad questions are usually set according to your child’s current class, with some questions reaching a little beyond it. Make sure the basics of the class syllabus are secure first: place value, the four operations, fractions, measurement, money, time, shapes and data handling. Then add challenge with reasoning puzzles. A child with strong foundations will find the harder questions far more approachable.

Practising exam conditions

Olympiads are timed, so pace matters. Once your child is accurate, use the Timed test button on our games: 15 questions in 10 minutes, with answers revealed at the end. It is a good way to practise moving on from a tricky question and returning to it later. Go through the mistakes together afterwards to find the topics that need more work.

Also preparing for Navodaya?

If your child is in Class 5 and applying to a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, the JNVST Class 6 entrance test has a large Mental Ability section with shape and pattern questions, along with Arithmetic and Language. Much of the reasoning practice above helps with both. See our Navodaya Class 6 practice page for games matched to each section, and check the official NVS website for dates and eligibility.

Keep it fun

Olympiads are a chance to enjoy challenging maths, not a source of pressure. Celebrate effort and curiosity, keep practice short and regular, and remember that a puzzle your child struggles with today is often the one they solve with a smile next month. All our test prep pages are free, and our worksheets are handy for screen-free practice. For building quick calculation, see our guide on improving mental maths.

Success Tutoring is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) or any Olympiad organiser. Test names are used only to describe what our original practice covers. Always check the official organiser and your school for the latest details.

Frequently asked questions