SOF IEO
International English Olympiad (SOF IEO)
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Cheat sheet
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ExploreAbout this exam
The International English Olympiad (IEO) is an annual academic competition run by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) for students in classes 1 to 12, built to assess knowledge and skills in English language and comprehension. It runs in two levels: Level 1 is open to classes 1 to 12, while Level 2 is open only to classes 3 to 12, with no second level for classes 1 and 2. Level 1 is a one-hour offline exam delivered in English, and the registration fee is ₹170. Entry is through school authorities only - students cannot apply individually and should submit forms at least 30 days before the exam date. Level 1 dates announced for the 2026-27 session are 30 September 2026, 27 October 2026 and 17 November 2026. The syllabus spans word order, conditionals, modals, collocations, phrasal verbs, idioms, and language and people, alongside comprehension and problem-solving tasks; the paper uses multiple-choice questions and problem-solving items that test application rather than recall. Preparation should combine the official syllabus and exam pattern, the SOF sample question paper, and steady grammar and comprehension practice. Awards include international, zonal and school topper recognition. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with SOF.
What you'll study
About SOF IEO preparation
What is the format of the IEO exam?
Level 1 is a one-hour offline exam in English. The pattern consists of multiple-choice questions and problem-solving tasks that test your understanding of English and how you apply it, rather than pure recall. Check the official syllabus and exam pattern pages for the topic breakdown for your class.
Who is eligible to take part?
Students from classes 1 to 12 enrolled in a school recognized by SOF are eligible for Level 1, and students from a particular class appear only for that class's Olympiad. Level 2 is open only to classes 3 to 12; there is no Level 2 for classes 1 and 2.
How do I register, and what does it cost?
You cannot apply individually - applications go only through your school, so speak to your school authorities. Submit the form at least 30 days before the exam date. The registration fee is ₹170. Students from schools not yet registered can ask their school to register with SOF.
How do I qualify for Level 2?
Class-wise top 5% of the participating students in the Level 1 exam are selected for Level 2. Only students in classes 3 to 12 are eligible for that second level, so performance within your own class group matters more than your raw score across the whole school.
How difficult is the paper, and where do candidates lose marks?
The paper rewards application, not memorised definitions. Typical losses come from phrasal verbs and collocations answered by feel rather than knowledge, conditionals and modals with wrong verb forms, and comprehension answers that ignore what the passage actually says. Word-order items punish reading the options before reading the whole sentence.
Can I retake the exam if I do badly?
The exam is conducted once a year, so there is no same-session retake. If you miss qualification or want a better result, you prepare again and appear in the next annual cycle, which for the 2026-27 session has Level 1 dates on 30 September 2026, 27 October 2026 and 17 November 2026.
How should I plan my study time?
Start from the official syllabus and exam pattern for your class, then work through the SOF sample question paper under timed conditions to find weak areas. Fix grammar topics one at a time - modals, conditionals, then collocations and phrasal verbs - and read short passages daily for comprehension speed.
What awards are given?
For 2026-27, awards include international, zonal and school topper recognition for classes 1 to 12. The top three international rank holders receive cash awards, medals and certificates, and zonal and school-level winners are also recognised. Principals and teachers receive appreciation certificates and gifts.