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International English Olympiad (IEO) Eligibility Criteria, Exam Pattern & Study Material

September 25, 2023
International English Olympiad

The International English Olympiad (IEO) is one of the most popular and an internationally recognized language proficiency exam conducted for school students from across the globe. The Olympiad serves as a prominent platform for young students to showcase their English language proficiency and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The IEO Olympiad ensures to offer a challenging and motivating experience for participants, with its rigorous curriculum and competitive format.

IEO Olympiad 2023-24 Overview

Exam Name International English Olympiad
Conducting Body Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF)
Partnership British Council
Frequency of Conduct Once a year
Exam Date Level 1 26th September 2023, 12th Oct 2023, 2nd Nov 2023
Exam Date Level 2 will be announced by January 2024
Exam Level Intermediate
Eligibility Students from Class 1 to 12
Type of question Multiple choice questions (MCQs)
Application Process Though respective schools
Application Fee Rs. 125
Mode of Exam Offline
Exam Duration 1 Hour
Awards Cash Prizes / Medals of Achievement + Certificate of Outstanding Performance / Certificate of Excellence

SOF IEO Olympiad Exam Eligibility Criteria 2023-24

The eligibility criteria for the SOF IEO Olympiad 2023 - 2024 exam are as follows:

  • Students studying in Class 1 to 12 are eligible to appear for the IEO exam.
  • The SOF International English Olympiad Exam is open to students from all schools in India and boards including CBSE, ICSE and other state boards.
  • A student must be currently studying in a school that is registered with SOF.
  • A student must ensure that they have submitted a fully completed application form and paid the required fees within the specified deadline.
International English Olympiad

Level 1: IEO Olympiad Eligibility Criteria

There are no such criteria for the Level 1 exam and students of Class 1 to 12 can participate. All the students, qualifying the above mentioned points are eligible to enrol for the Level 1 exam.

Level 2: IEO Olympiad Eligibility Criteria

The level 2 of the IEO Olympiad is exclusively available for students in classes 3 to 12, who are selected based on their performance in the Level 1 exam. The Level 2 IEO exam eligibility criteria include:

  • The top 5% of students appearing for the 1st level International English Olympiad exam, categorised by their respective classes, are eligible for the next level of the exam.
  • The top 25 rank holders in each zone, categorised by their respective classes,
  • The students who achieve the highest scores within their classes, in schools with a minimum of 10 participants per class, and who score at least 50% qualifying marks, are considered for selection.
  • If registrations are received on a section-wise basis, students with the highest marks, regardless of the section, will qualify for the second level.
International English Olympiad

Registration/ Application Process for SOF IEO Olympiad 2023-24

Student Registration for the International English Olympiad (IEO) is typically done through their respective schools. Schools that have not yet registered can obtain a prospectus by sending an email to [email protected]. The following are the general steps for registering for the SOF IEO 2023 - 2024:

  • Student enrolment: Interested students can apply only if their school is registered with SOF. The school will assist students by providing them with the necessary registration forms and offering guidance throughout the process. Students are required to fill the form and submit before the due date.
  • Payment of fees: Students are required to pay the nominal registration fee along with the form to the school administration.
  • Admit card: once everything is submitted, the school will receive the admit cards for all the registered students. The admit cards will contain all the essential information such as the students' roll numbers, unique ID and exam centre details. Note that the exam centre can either be their own school or a nearby school within the city.

SOF IEO Olympiad Registration Fees 2023-24

The registration fees for Indian Schools (as well as schools in Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh) are INR 125 (including GST). For International Schools, students have to pay USD 9 for each student.

Note: Schools may also collect an additional amount of INR 25 for mentoring and guiding, etc.

SOF IEO Exam Pattern 2023-24

The International English Olympiad (IEO) exam pattern is based on the multiple-choice question (MCQ) format. The IEO Olympiad comprises two levels: Level 1 and Level 2, providing students with progressive stages of expertise and participation.

Level 1 IEO Exam Pattern 2023 for Class 1 to 4

The IEO Level 1 exam for class 1 to 4 consists of 35 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with duration of one hour. The question paper is divided into four sections - Word and Structure Knowledge, Reading, Spoken and Written Expression and Achievers Section:

Section No. of Questions Marks/Questions Total Marks
Section 1: Word and Structure Knowledge 30 1 30
Section 2: Reading
Section 3: Spoken and Written Expression
Section 4: Achievers Section 5 2 10
Grand Total 35   40

Other Olympiad Exam Preparation tips –

Level 1 IEO Exam Pattern 2023 For Class 5 to 12

The IEO Level 1 exam for class 5 to 12 consists of 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with duration of one hour. The question paper is divided into four sections - Word and Structure Knowledge, Reading, Spoken and Written Expression and Achievers Section -

Section No. of Questions Marks/Questions Total Marks
Section 1: Word and Structure Knowledge 45 1 45
Section 2: Reading
Section 3: Spoken and Written Expression
Section 4: Achievers Section 5 3 15
Grand Total 50   60

Level 2 IEO Exam Pattern for Classes 3- 4

The IEO Level 2 exam for classes 3 and 4 consists of 35 multiple-choice questions MCQs) with a duration of one hour. The question paper is divided into three sections - Word and Structure Knowledge, Reading, and Achievers Section -

Section No. of Questions Marks/Questions Total Marks
Section  1: Word and Structure Knowledge 20 1 20
Section 2: Reading 10 1 10
Section 3: Achievers Section 5 2 10
Grand Total 35   40

Level 2 IEO Exam Pattern for Classes 5- 12

The IEO Level 2 exam for classes 5 to 12 consists of 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with duration of one hour. The question paper is divided into three sections - Word and Structure Knowledge, Reading, and Achievers Section -

Section No. of Questions Marks/Questions Total Marks
Section  1: Word and Structure Knowledge 35 1 35
Section 2: Reading 10 1 10
Section 3: Achievers Section 5 3 15
Grand Total 50   60
IMO Olympiad classes

SOF IEO Awards 2023-24

SOF allocated a budget of over Rs. 20 Crores in the academic year 2023-2024 for various forms of recognition such as awards, scholarships, gifts, and felicitations. In the upcoming academic year of 2023-24, winners of the SOF International English Olympiad will be honoured with the following prestigious awards.

Awards for Level 1

  • At Zonal Level
Rank Awards No. of awards
1 to 25 Medal of Distinction + Certificate of Distinction + Student Performance Report 7800
26 and above Participation Certificate + Student Performance Report All

Awards for Level 2 and Awards for Classes 1 and 2

  • At International Level
Rank Scholarships No. of awards
1st Rs.50,000/- Each + International Gold Medal + Certificate of Outstanding Performance 12
2nd Rs.25,000/- Each + International Silver Medal + Certificate of Outstanding Performance 12
3rd Rs.10,000/- Each + International Bronze Medal + Certificate of Outstanding Performance 12
  • At Zonal Level
Rank Scholarships No. of awards
1st Rs 5000/- Each + Zonal Gold Medal + Certificate of Zonal Excellence 312
2nd Rs 2500/- Each + Zonal Silver Medal + Certificate of Zonal Excellence 312
3rd Rs 1000/- Each + Zonal Bronze Medal + Certificate of Zonal Excellence 312
4th to 10th Gifts worth Rs 500/- Each + Certificate of Zonal Excellence 2184
11th to 25th      Certificate of Zonal Excellence 4680
Rank 26+ Merit Certificate All

SOF IEO Olympiad Exam Results 2023-24

The IEO Level 1 result will be announced by SOF on December 12, 2023, while the IEO Level 2 result will be declared on March 23, 2024. Students can check their results by visiting the official SOF website (sofworld.org) and entering their respective roll numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques 1: What is the IEO Olympiad 2023?

The IEO Olympiad is a competitive English language examination conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) that aims to assess and enhance students' proficiency in areas such as grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing.

Ques 2: Who can participate in the IEO Olympiad 2023?

Students from affiliated schools, both within and outside the country, are generally eligible to participate in the IEO Olympiad 2023. The IEO exam is open to all students in grades 1 to 12.

Ques 3: How can I register for the IEO Olympiad 2023?

You can register for the IEO Olympiad 2023 through your school. You can simply approach the relevant department to get the application form, and pay a nominal registration fee.

Ques 4: What subjects are included in IEO Olympiad 2023?

As the name suggests, the subjects included in IEO Olympiad 2023 is English and includes a wide range of areas such as reading, writing, grammar, structure, etc.,where language competence is tested.

Ques 5: How is the IEO Olympiad 2023 conducted?

The IEO Olympiad 2023 is typically conducted through a written examination that is held at designated centres. Students are required to register through their schools, answer English language-related questions within a specified time, and their responses are evaluated to determine their scores and further recognition.

Ques 6: What are the benefits of participating in the IEO Olympiad 2023?

The benefits of participating in the SOF IEO Olympiad 2023 are:

  • Enhances English language skills through comprehensive assessment.
  • Provides a competitive platform (national and international) to showcase proficiency in English.
  • Boosts confidence in the subject by testing knowledge and application.
  • Offers recognition and awards for outstanding performance.
  • Prepares students for future academic and career opportunities requiring English proficiency.