How to Get Ready for the Class 9 Maths Olympiad

What is IMO?

An international mathematics competition, the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is held each year in a different country. The first IMO was conducted in Romania in 1959 and only 7 countries participated in it. In present times, over 100 countries take part in the competition. The IMO is almost like the Olympics, with various countries participating for the crowning glory, but instead of sports, countries compete in a mathematics competition. 

It is one of the most esteemed mathematical competitions worldwide. The objective of the IMO is to bring students together from different parts of the world to have fun and compete in mathematical challenges.

Countries can send a team of up to 6 contestants, a leader, and a deputy leader. The participants must also be selected through their country’s national Mathematical Olympiad. The selection process differs in every country. However, it usually consists of a sequence of tests with a fewer number of students moving on to each advancing test.

Phases of the IMO selection process in India

The first step for Class 9 students aspiring to be a part of the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is to participate in the Mathematical Olympiad Programme in India which has about 6 stages. In India, the National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM) is responsible for overseeing the  Mathematical Olympiad program. The selection process is regulated by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE).

Phase 1 

In the first stage, students need to take part in the Pre-Regional Mathematical Olympiad (PRMO). The question paper is offered in English as well as Hindi.  The duration of the exam is two and a half hours and students will need to answer 30 questions. The answers to every question may either be a single-digit or a two-digit number. 

Phase 2

If you make it to the second stage, you can get ready for the Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO). It includes 6 problems and is a 3-hour exam. It is given in English, Hindi as well as other regional languages. 

Phase 3

Students who perform the best in the RMOs are selected for the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO). It is conducted in over 25 centers and is conducted on the third Saturday of January. Phew. If you’ve made it till here, please give yourself a clap on the back.

Phase 4

In the fourth stage, top performers from the INMO take part in the  International Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp (IMOTC) hosted at HBCSE. It extends from April to May. Students attend an orientation about the IMO and are also taught Olympiad mathematics. There are many tests taken and 6 students are selected based on their performance to represent India.

Phase 5

If you reach stage 6, give yourself a round of applause, because you’re going to participate in the IMO. All that’s left is for you to attend an 8-10 coaching program. Now, you’re all set for the IMO.

Phase 6

Congratulations! You’ve made it! 

Preparing for the Maths Olympiad:

If you’re in the 9th standard and want to take part in the Indian Maths Olympiad and maybe even move on to compete in the IMO, you have come to the right place. Let’s look into a few tips you can follow to make your Olympiad dream come true.

Start Early

Well…..we all know what happens when we try to cram too much one day before the exam, right? Yes, that’s right, you forget everything you’ve learned and everything is a mess in the end. That’s why it’s important to give yourself sufficient time so that you can learn everything at your own pace. You will have enough time to create a timetable that is not jam-packed with study sessions one after the other. You will be able to take breaks when you need them and also allocate enough time for revisions and solving question papers. This will keep you motivated to take the necessary steps you need to achieve your goal. You can also alter your timetable to accommodate any backlogs. By giving yourself a headstart, you will be able to complete all that you need to on time.

Understand the curriculum

This might seem very obvious, but it is something students often forget to do. Instead of taking a deep dive into the syllabus, first, try to understand the relative importance of each topic. The Maths Olympiad syllabus is huge, that’s why knowing which topics are more important will allow you to allot time to the topics smartly. 

Give time to your weak areas

Don’t just forget the areas you feel are difficult or confusing. Instead, make time to practice those areas so that you can turn them into your strong suit. While solving questions, mark those that you need more practice on, ones you’re making mistakes in or can’t solve. 

Later, go through those questions again and figure out where you’ve made mistakes. You can search for the solution or ask someone for help. Once you have understood what needs to be done, try solving it again and maybe again till you get it right.

Take a practice test

Before you appear for the Olympiad exam, you should take practice tests. You can solve IMO Maths Olympiad Previous Year Papers Class 9. While taking the test, make sure to time yourself and try to make the environment as similar as you can to when you take the test. You can also search for Olympiad sample questions and try to solve them. This will help you identify your weak areas as well as concepts you feel confident in. Solving previous year’s question papers will give you a better idea of the level of difficulty and kind of questions that may be asked in the exam. 

In conclusion, the Maths Olympiad is one of the most renowned maths competitions. The exams are taken by many people across the world and you will be competing with the best. Be calm and don’t let this stress you out. Believe in yourself and your preparation. You can do this!