IOQM exam-day guide
IOQM · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admit card / hall ticket
Carry the admit card or registration confirmation issued for your exam cycle. If you have not received one, or the download window is unclear, confirm with the provider (typically your school or the official Olympiad portal) well before exam day.
Valid photo identification
Bring a school ID or government-issued photo ID. The exact accepted ID list varies by centre; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (two or three)
Write your answers and details in pen as instructed on the answer booklet. Bring spares; a leaking pen mid-paper wastes time.
Pencils, sharpener, and eraser
Useful for rough work and diagrams. Keep all rough work inside the booklet or on sheets the invigilator provides; confirm where rough work is permitted.
Simple analogue or non-programmable watch
A watch helps you pace the paper if the hall clock is not visible from your seat. Smart watches and programmable devices are generally not allowed; confirm the provider's device policy.
Geometry instruments you normally use
A ruler and compass are commonly permitted for construction-style problems, but confirm the provider's list of allowed instruments before relying on them.
Transparent water bottle and a light snack
Bring water; eat something small before the paper so hunger does not cost you focus. Check whether snacks are allowed inside the hall.
Know your centre location and reporting time
Confirm the exact address, gate, and reporting time with the provider. Do a dry run or check the route in advance so you are not navigating under stress.
Leave phones and smart devices at home or with a guardian
Electronic devices are typically prohibited in the exam hall. Do not plan to keep a phone in your pocket; confirm the centre's storage arrangements.
Read the instructions printed on the paper
Before starting, read the cover page: number of questions, marking scheme, and any instructions on how to present answers. Follow them exactly.
Plan your attempt order
Decide in advance that you will do a first pass for questions you can solve cleanly, then return to harder ones. Do not sink ten minutes into one problem early.
Plan the day
Stop learning new topics. Review your own error log: redo problems you got wrong earlier, focusing on why the method failed rather than memorising the solution. Do one timed full paper under exam conditions, then spend more time analysing it than writing it. Re-read key theorems and standard techniques (inequalities, modular arithmetic, angle chasing, counting) from your own notes. Sleep on a normal schedule; do not trade sleep for extra problem sets.
Confirm the centre address, reporting time, and what you are allowed to bring by checking the provider's instructions. Pack your bag: admit card, ID, pens, pencils, eraser, watch, water. Lay out clothes. Do a light review of formulas and your error log only; no new hard problems. Eat a normal dinner, avoid heavy caffeine late in the day, and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the centre with buffer time. Recheck that your admit card and ID are in the bag before leaving. Once seated, set up your pens and watch, take a few slow breaths, and read the cover-page instructions carefully. Note the start and end times and decide your first-pass strategy before the signal to begin.
First pass: solve the questions you recognise immediately, writing clean, complete solutions. Second pass: return to problems where you have a promising idea; write down the key step even if the full proof is unfinished, since partial reasoning can earn credit. Third pass: check arithmetic, units, and whether every answer is actually justified. If stuck, switch problems rather than grinding. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve the last several minutes for checking names, roll number, and answer placement.
Do not spend the evening comparing answers in a group chat; it changes nothing and drains you. Note down which topics felt weak while the memory is fresh, for your next preparation cycle.
Rules to check
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times; they override anything you assumed from past experience or second-hand advice.
Bring the identification and admit card specified by the provider. If you are unsure what is accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day rather than at the gate.
Electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, are generally not permitted in the hall; confirm the centre's policy and storage arrangements in advance.
Breaks and toilet access during the paper are at the invigilator's discretion and may not extend your time; plan hydration accordingly.
Write answers in the format the paper requires, showing your reasoning where a proof or justification is expected. An unsupported final answer may not receive full credit.
Scoring and marking schemes are set by the provider; do not assume partial credit rules from other contests. Check the instructions on the paper itself.
Keep all rough work in the designated area and do not write on question papers or materials unless instructed.
Any suspicion of unfair means is handled under the provider's conduct rules; avoid any behaviour that could be misread, including looking at others' papers or passing materials.