How does a student benefit by taking Olympiad exams?

How does a student benefit by taking Olympiad exams?

Participants of Olympiads are ranked on the basis of marks obtained. Hence, after taking the first level of the test, students can judge themselves academically at four different levels - within the school, at city level, at state level and above all at International level.
Each student is provided a Student Performance Report (SPR). The SPR analyses the strong and weak areas of the student and also gives a detailed performance comparison of the student vis-à-vis other students at school, state and international level. Analysis of the student’s past five years’ performance is also provided.
Students are suitably awarded based on their international, State and School ranking. Prizes are announced annually and include cash awards, medals, gifts, certificates etc. The International toppers from each class are awarded at a grand prize distribution ceremony held in Delhi, presided over by an eminent personality. Prizes for state winners and school winners are sent to their respective schools. For the year 2014-15, a sum of Rs. Ten Crores will be incurred towards awards, felicitations, scholarships etc.

Who all are eligible to sit for the Olympiads?

Students of classes 1st to 12th are eligible to appear for the 1st level Olympiads. For National Cyber Olympiad, students from class 2 onwards are eligible to appear for the 1st level. There is no other eligibility criterion like minimum marks. Students who qualify for the 2nd level exam include.
(a) Top 5% of students’ class wise, who appear for the 1st level exam,
(b) State wise top 10 rank holders class wise, and
(c) Class toppers from each participating school where at least 25 students from a class appear in the exam & scores 50% qualifying marks. Students from classes 1 and 2 are not required to appear for the 2nd level exam and are ranked based on their performance in the first level exam. IEO is a single level exam.

I am interested to take part in the Olympiads. Tell me how will I come to know about the details of the exam?

All the relevant information is sent to the schools registered with us across countries, along with prospectus, registration forms, posters and other details before the first round of exams and then as the date and venue of the second level is decided, the information is sent to the relevant schools again. The students come to know about the necessary details from their school teachers or through the Foundation's official website www.sofworld.org or through the foundations face book page www.facebook.com/sofworld.

Myself and few of my friends are interested to take part in the Olympiads but our school has not yet received any information regarding the Olympiad. What can we do?

Please let us know the name, e-mail ID, complete address of your school along with name and contact details of the principal. We will send detailed information and registration forms to your School so that your Principal / Olympiad Teacher-in-charge can register your names for the exam.

What is the syllabus for the Olympiads?

The syllabus of the Olympiads is the syllabus as prescribed by the CBSE, ICSE and various state boards. If you sit for the second level and have moved onto the next class, the syllabus will remain the same (i.e. of the previous class).  The details of syllabus are also posted on the Foundation’s website.

Are there any special books which the participants should refer to for the NSO preparation?

In general, NCERT books/course books prescribed by the CBSE/ICSE/STATE BOARDS may be referred to for the preparation. We also have following books/materials for Olympiad preparation:

1)MTG Class wise Workbooks (For Class 1 to 10)
2)‘SOF Olympiad Trainer’ Mobile Apps
3)OSDS (Olympiad Skill Development System)
4)Previous Years’ Papers
5)Olympiads’ Books of Reasoning (for preparation for the reasoning section of Olympiads)
6)E-Quiz
Additionally, class XI and XII students can refer to the various publications like Chemistry Today, Biology Today, Mathematics Today and Physics For You and MTG books which contain useful matter including solved and model test papers of various National and International Olympiads.
The above books/materials related to Olympiad are published by MTG (website: www.mtg.in)

My school does not want to register for the Olympiads, but I am very eager to write the exam. Can I do it on my own?

SOF does not encourage individual participation. Students have to register through their schools only.

I have already appeared for the Olympiads while I was in a lower class? Can I appear again?

Certainly. This will give you an opportunity to improve your previous rankings, and if you are successful in doing so, you will again be eligible for certificates and prizes.

My school has already dispatched the registration form. I am left out and I want to register myself for the Olympiad exam. What should I do?

You can request your school authority to send your relevant details and fee immediately to us. We will accept it if it reaches us before the last date of registration (usually 30 days before the exam).

I am going to write the Olympiads for the first time. Can I get sample papers?

Sample Papers are sent to all schools registered for Olympiad exams. SOF website also contains these papers http://www.sofworld.org/nso/nso-exam/sample-papers.html. Sample papers sent to the schools prior to the first level test are helpful and can be used for both levels of Olympiad exams.
In addition to the sample papers, students may also benefit by subscribing to OSDS – Olympiad Skill Development System (please refer to our site www.sofworld.org for details)

What is the structure and pattern of the examination?
For details please click following link.
http://www.sofworld.org/pattern-questions-and-marking-scheme.html

When are the results of Olympiads declared?

Results of both the levels of Olympiads are declared within 6 weeks of the examination. The results are sent to the schools concerned. The results are also made available on our website.

Can I take part in more than one Olympiad exam?

Although conducted by the same Foundation, NCO, NSO, IMO and IEO are four completely different competitions. Students can register for all the 4 Olympiads in a year.

Do I have to regularly visit your website for the latest update of SOF activities?

All the important information regarding Olympiads, Seminars, etc., like date, time and venue is available on our website. So it is beneficial for you to surf our site www.sofworld.org   or www.facebook.com/sofworld.

I have cleared second level of the Olympiad and I have come to know that I am eligible for an award. I am studying in a different school / passed out from school and pursuing further studies. Will I come to know about the date?

As soon as we finalize the date and venue of the presentation ceremony, we send out the information to the schools concerned and also share the dates on our website and on our Facebook page. So please be in touch with your previous school or/and access of website regularly.

I have still not received my Roll No. / Admit Card / Participation Certificate. I have checked from my school authorities and they are also not in receipt of the same. Kindly advise what to do?

Please request your Principal / Science Teacher to inform us about the non-receipt of the above. We will send duplicate copies to your school as soon as we hear from them.

We have come to know about your Foundation and we are interested. How do we enroll our school with you?

Send us the complete address of your school in the following format and we will send relevant information and registration forms to you at the appropriate time.
School Name: Postal Address, E-mail: Principal’s name, phone number & e-mail ID.

Are the Olympiads conducted in English only?

Yes.

We have less than 10 students in our school who are interested to take part in an Olympiad. Can we still enroll for the test?

For less than 10 students a school, it is not viable for the Foundation to hold the exam. Hence at least 10 students should be enrolled from a school so that a school becomes a center.

Give criteria for ranking.
In case of level one exam, the following criteria will apply:

Marks obtained in relevant level
Marks obtained in sections of the relevant level. Each section is accorded separate weightage.
In the first level exam, one rank may have more than one student.

In case of level 2, the following criteria will apply:

Marks scored in level 2 exam.
In case of a tie, weightage will be accorded as per following priority:
Marks scored in sections in level two exam accorded more weightage.
Marks scored in level 1 exam.
Marks scored in sections in level one exam accorded more weightage.
Past performance of student.
Interview conducted by SOF.
In level two, no two students will be given same rank.