Learn the Math Olympiad, one guide at a time
Free, plain-language guides to the SOF IMO for Classes 3–5 — the exam format, class-wise preparation plans, and every topic explained with worked examples your child can try.
Exam guide
Start here if the olympiad is new to your family.
Class-wise preparation
What to prepare, class by class — grounded in the official syllabus topics.
Class 3 IMO preparation: syllabus, routine and what good looks likeA parent’s guide to preparing a Class 3 child for the SOF IMO: the syllabus topics that matter, a gentle routine, and realistic expectations.6 min read →Class 4 IMO preparation: the year fractions and geometry arriveHow to prepare a Class 4 child for the SOF IMO: large numbers, roman numerals, fractions and geometry — plus a routine that fits a nine-year-old.6 min read →Class 5 IMO preparation: decimals, factors and a longer paperPreparing a Class 5 child for the SOF IMO: decimals, factors and multiples, fraction operations — and why the paper gets longer from this class.7 min read →
Topics & explainers
Every topic and subtopic explained, with worked olympiad-style examples.
Number Sense for the Math Olympiad (Classes 3–5)What Number Sense means in the SOF IMO for Classes 3–5: place value, comparing and ordering numbers, the classic traps, and worked examples.6 min read →Addition & Subtraction the olympiad way (Class 3 focus)How the SOF IMO tests addition and subtraction in Class 3: word problems, missing numbers, common borrowing mistakes and two worked examples.5 min read →Fractions for the Math Olympiad (Classes 4–5)Fractions in the SOF IMO for Classes 4–5: equivalent fractions, comparing, the “bigger denominator” trap, and two worked olympiad-style examples.6 min read →Geometry & Shapes for the Math Olympiad (Class 4 focus)Geometry in the SOF IMO for Class 4: shapes, sides and corners, perimeter, the area-vs-perimeter mix-up, and two worked examples.6 min read →Decimals, factors & multiples for the Class 5 olympiadThe Class 5 Number Sense pair in the SOF IMO: comparing decimals, factors and multiples, the “longer decimal is bigger” trap, and worked examples.7 min read →The Logical Reasoning section: patterns, series & rankingWhat the SOF IMO Logical Reasoning section asks in Classes 3–5 — number series, patterns and ranking puzzles — with traps and worked examples.6 min read →Place value for Class 3: what each digit is really worthA plain-words explainer of place value for Class 3 — face value vs place value, worked examples, and the classic trap in SOF IMO questions.4 min read →Comparing and ordering numbers: a Class 3 explainerHow Class 3 children compare and order numbers digit by digit, with worked examples and the greatest-number trap that appears in SOF IMO papers.4 min read →Addition and subtraction word problems: how Class 3 children crack themA parent-friendly explainer of Class 3 word problems — how to turn a story into a sum, worked examples, and the two-step trap in SOF IMO papers.5 min read →Large numbers in Class 4: reading and building 5- and 6-digit numbersHow Class 4 children read, compare and build 5- and 6-digit numbers, with worked examples and the smallest-number trap from SOF IMO papers.5 min read →Roman numerals for Class 4: the seven letters and the subtraction ruleA Class 4 explainer of Roman numerals — the seven symbols, when to subtract, worked examples, and the illegal-numeral trap in SOF IMO papers.5 min read →Comparing fractions in Class 4: which slice is bigger?How Class 4 children compare fractions — same denominator, same numerator, and unlike fractions — with the bigger-denominator trap from SOF IMO.5 min read →Equivalent fractions in Class 4: different names, same amountWhy 1/2, 2/4 and 3/6 are the same amount — how Class 4 children find equivalent fractions, plus the NOT-equivalent trap from SOF IMO papers.4 min read →Basic shapes for Class 4: sides, corners, faces and edgesA Class 4 explainer of 2D and 3D shapes — counting sides, corners, faces and edges, with the square-vs-rhombus trap from SOF IMO geometry.5 min read →Perimeter for Class 4: walking around the edge of a shapeWhat perimeter means, the rectangle and square formulas Class 4 children need, worked examples, and the perimeter-vs-area trap in SOF IMO papers.5 min read →Factors and multiples for Class 5: the two directions of the times tableA Class 5 explainer of factors, multiples, HCF and LCM in plain words, with worked examples and the factor-vs-multiple mix-up from SOF IMO.5 min read →
For parents
Plans, motivation and how adaptive practice actually works.
The four IMO sections, decoded: what each one really asks of your childLogical Reasoning, Mathematical Reasoning, Everyday Mathematics and Achievers — what each SOF IMO section demands, and why Achievers decides ranks.6 min read →A realistic 8-week IMO preparation plan for Classes 3–5An eight-week SOF IMO plan a real family can follow: five weeks of topics, two of mixed practice and mocks, one of rehearsal and rest.7 min read →How to make math practice something your child actually wants to doWhat really motivates 8–10 year olds to practise math: streaks, celebration, autonomy — and why pressure and long worksheets quietly backfire.6 min read →How adaptive practice works — and what that mastery number meansAn honest explainer of mastery-based adaptive practice: the 0–100 per-topic score, questions at the edge of ability, and why it beats fixed worksheets.6 min read →
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