The International Computer Science Olympiad (SOF ICSO) is an annual academic competition organised by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) for students in classes 1-10. It aims to assess their knowledge and skills in computers and information technology. Students can develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and cognitive abilities by participating in the SOF ICSO.
Registration needs to be made by students in their respective schools to attend the International Computer Science Olympiad. SOF ICSO is designed around the school syllabus with the aim of improving students' mental ability, logical thinking, and analytical mindset. SOF ICSO awards and scholarships honour the winning students.
The SOF has updated the official web portal with the latest ICSO exam dates. The SOF ICSO is set to occur on two distinct dates, allowing schools to choose the most convenient date to conduct the exam. Below, we have provided a table with the exam dates for the upcoming ICSO 2025-26.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the SOF International Computer Science Olympiad (ICSO) exam, including all the essential details.
Exam Organizing Body | Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) |
Eligibility | Students from classes 1 - 10, enrolled in a school recognised by SOF, are eligible for ICSO. |
Exam Level | Matriculate |
Application Process | Via Respective School Authorities |
Exam Dates | Level 1 Exam Date 1: 24th September 2025 Level 1 Exam Date 2: 9th October 2025 Level 1 Exam Date 3: 22nd January 2026 |
Exam Mode | Offline |
Fee of Registration | ₹ 125 |
Frequency of Conduct | Once a year |
Objective | To identify & foster passion for technology. |
Languages | English |
Duration | 1 hour |
The syllabus encompasses the topics and concepts you must study to prepare for exams. Therefore, if you have decided to participate in the International Computer Science Olympiad, it's essential to be familiar with the complete syllabus.
Class | Section | Topics |
SOF ICSO SYLLABUS CLASS 1 | Section – 1: Logical Reasoning | Patterns, Odd One Out, Geometrical Shapes, Spatial Understanding, Analogy, Measuring Units, Ranking Test, Grouping, Problems based on Figures. |
Section – 2: Computer Science | Introduction to Computers, Parts of Computer, Uses of Computer, Keys and Keyboard, Computer Mouse, Starting and Shutting down the Computer, Introduction to MS-Paint. | |
Section - 3: IT | IT Gadgets, Devices, Apps, Computerization, and other Developments in the Field of IT. | |
Section – 4: Achievers Section | Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 2 and 3. | |
SOF ICSO SYLLABUS CLASS 2 | Section – 1: Logical Reasoning | Patterns, Odd One Out, Analogy, Ranking Test, Measuring Units, Geometrical Shapes, Grouping of Figures, Embedded Figures, Coding-Decoding. |
Section – 2: Computer Science | Computer-a Smart Machine, General Information about Computers, Parts of Computer, Uses of Computer, Learning to use Keyboard and Mouse, MS-Paint. | |
Section - 3: IT | IT Gadgets, Devices, Apps, Computerization, and other Developments in the Field of IT. | |
Section – 4: Achievers Section | Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 2 and 3. | |
SOF ICSO SYLLABUS CLASS 3 | Section – 1: Logical Reasoning | Patterns,Analogy & Classification, Coding-Decoding, Ranking Test, Mirror Images, Alphabet Test, Geometrical Shapes, Grouping of Figures and Figure Matrix, Embedded Figures, Days and Dates, & Possible Combinations. |
Section – 2: Computer Science | Fundamentals of Computer, General Information about Computers, Storage Devices, Parts of Computer, Uses of Computer, Input and Output Devices, Introduction to Internet, MS-Paint, Introduction to MS-Word (Opening, Closing, Saving and Printing a Word document, Components of MS-Word window, Editing commands like Cut, Copy, Paste, Undo and Redo, Moving in a document using Home and End Keys). | |
Section - 3: IT | IT Gadgets, Devices, Apps, Computerization, and other Developments in the Field of IT. | |
Section – 4: Achievers Section | Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 2 and 3. | |
SOF ICSO SYLLABUS CLASS 4 | Section – 1: Logical Reasoning | Patterns, Embedded Figures, Alphabet Test, Coding-Decoding, Ranking Test, Mirror Images, Geometrical Shapes and Solids, Analogy and ClassificationDirection Sense Test, Days and Dates & Possible Combinations. |
Section – 2: Computer Science | About Computers (General Information), Evolution of Computers, Parts of Computer, Input and Output Devices, Hardware, Software, MS-Word(Formatting a Word document, Font group, Format Painter, Search using Find and Replace option, Checking Spelling and Grammar using Thesaurus), Using Windows 10, Introduction to Internet and Its Uses, Computer Networks, MS-Paint. | |
Section - 3: IT | IT Gadgets, Devices, Apps, Computerization, and other Developments in the Field of IT. | |
Section – 4: Achievers Section | Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 2 and 3. | |
SOF ICSO SYLLABUS CLASS 5 | Section – 1: Logical Reasoning | Patterns, Mirror and Water Images, Direction Sense Test, Ranking Test, Alphabet Test, Analogy and Classification, Geometrical Shapes, Logical Sequence of Words, Puzzle Test, Coding-Decoding. |
Section – 2: Computer Science | Input and Output Devices, Hardware, Software, Storage Devices, Memory –Primary & Secondary Memory, MS-Paint, Introduction to Multimedia, MS-Word (Paragraph formatting Using Paragraph group, Drop Cap, Document Views, Inserting Graphics-Pictures and Shapes, Screenshots, Symbols, SmartArt, Multimedia Objects, Text Box, Inserting Header and Footer in a document and exploring its features), Introduction to MS-PowerPoint(Component of MS-PowerPoint window and its features, Inserting Graphics-Pictures and Shapes, Screenshots, Symbols, SmartArt, Multimedia Objects, Text Box, Inserting Header & Footer and exploring its features, Running slide shows, Presentation Views), Internet, Computer Networks, Using Windows 10. | |
Section - 3: IT | IT Gadgets, Devices, Apps, Computerization, and other Developments in the Field of IT. | |
Section – 4: Achievers Section | Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 2 and 3. | |
SOF ICSO SYLLABUS CLASS 6 | Section – 1: Logical Reasoning | Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. |
Section – 2: Computer Science | History and Generation of Computers, Types of Computers, MS-Windows 10, MS-Word(Working with Charts and Tables, Using Layout tab, Arranging multiple windows of a document), MS-PowerPoint(Creating presentation using Animation, Working with Animations and Transitions, Creating new slides using Slides pane, Working with Handouts and Notes Master, Arranging multiple windows of a presentations, Working with Charts and Tables), Networking and Cyber Safety, Introduction to QBasic, Hardware, Software, Input & Output Devices, Memory & Storage Devices. | |
Section – 3: AI, Robotics and Information Technology | AI, Robotics, IT Gadgets, Devices, Apps, Computerization, and other Developments in the Field of IT. | |
Section – 4: Achievers Section | Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 2 and 3. | |
SOF ICSO SYLLABUS CLASS 7 | Section – 1: Logical Reasoning | Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. |
Section – 2: Computer Science | Fundamentals of Computer, Evolution of Computers, Memory & Storage Devices, Algorithms & Flowcharts (Introduction and Basic Symbols), Using Windows 10, MS-Word(Links, Mail Merge, Macros, Exploring Styles group), MS-PowerPoint (Working with Slides Master and Themes, Advancing slides using Hyperlink and Actions, Customizing Slide Shows), MS-Excel (Components of MS-Excel window, Editing and formatting cells in a worksheet, Introduction to Formulas, Sorting and filtering data, Macros, Features of Insert and Page layout tabs), Programming in QBasic, Networking and Cyber Safety. | |
Section – 3: AI, Robotics and Information Technology | AI, Robotics, IT gadgets, Devices, Apps, Computerization, and other Developments in the Field of IT. | |
Section – 4: Achievers Section | Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 2 and 3. | |
SOF ICSO SYLLABUS CLASS 8 | Section – 1: Logical Reasoning | Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. |
Section – 2: Computer Science | Fundamentals of Computers, Algorithms & Flowcharts (Advanced symbols), HTML & CSS [Html, Head, Title, Body (Attributes: Background, Bgcolor, Text, Link, Alink, Vlink), Font (Attributes: Color, Size, Face), Center, BR, HR (Attributes: Size, Width, Align, Noshade, Color), Comment tag(<!-- -->), <H1>..<H6>, <P>, <B>, <I>, <U>, <IMG>, Html Elements: A, Ul and Ol (Attributes: Type, Start), Li], Flash CS6, MS-Access, Networking, MS-Word (Exploring File tab, Language and Translate options, Tracking features -Comments, Reviewing Pane, Tracking Changes, Comparing, Combining and Protecting documents, Working with References), MS-PowerPoint (Exploring File tab and Slide Show tab, Comparing, Combining and Protecting presentations), MS-Excel(Exploring File tab, Useful Formulas and Functions - IF,Even, Odd, LCM, GCD, Power, Product, Round, Sqrt, Sum, Min, Max, Average, Count, Upper, Lower And Replace, Cell referencing, Using Defined Names group ), Memory & Storage Devices, Number System (Introduction), Cyber Safety, Operating Systems(Introduction, Features, Types-single user and multi-user). | |
Section – 3: AI, Robotics and Information Technology | AI, Robotics, IT Gadgets, Devices, Apps, Computerization, and other Developments in the Field of IT. | |
Section – 4: Achievers Section | Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 2 and 3. | |
SOF ICSO SYLLABUS CLASS 9 | Section – 1: Logical Reasoning | Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. |
Section – 2: Computer Science | Algorithms and Flowcharts in Programming, Number System (Binary to decimal and decimal to binary conversion), Visual Basic, Animations, HTML & CSS (Links, Anchors and Table tags), MS Word, MS Excel(Formula Auditing, Data Tools, Protecting and Sharing workbooks/worksheets, Working with cell range), MS-PowerPoint, Hardware, Software, Input & Output Devices, Memory & Storage Devices, Flash CS6, Multimedia, Networking, Cyber Safety, Operating Systems (Types-Interactive (GUI based), Real Time and Distributed, Commonly used OS), Using Windows 10, Introduction to Scratch, Introduction to Python 3.11 (as of December 2022). | |
Section – 3: AI, Robotics and Information Technology | AI, Robotics, IT Gadgets, Devices, Apps, Computerization, and other Developments in the Field of IT. | |
Section – 4: Achievers Section | Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 2 and 3. | |
SOF ICSO SYLLABUS CLASS 10 | Section – 1: Logical Reasoning | Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. |
Section – 2: Computer Science | Fundamentals of Computer, Number System, Operating System, MS-Word, Networking, MS-PowerPoint, MS-Excel, HTML & CSS, Cyber Safety, Database Management System(Functions, Types, MS-Access), Using Windows 10, Programming in Scratch, Programming in Python 3.11 (as of December 2022). | |
Section – 3: AI, Robotics and Information Technology | AI, Robotics, IT Gadgets, Devices, Apps, Computerization and other Developments in the Field of IT. | |
Section – 4: Achievers Section | Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 2 and 3. |
There are no specific eligibility conditions for the International Computer Science Olympiad. 1st to 10th-grade students are eligible to participate in the SOF ICSO. There are no additional eligibility criteria, such as minimum marks required.
Below, we have provided step-by-step information about the ICSO Registration Process. You must complete the registration process, and then you can take the exam.
Initiation of Registration
Completion of Registration
Fee Details
To perform at your best in any exam, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of the exam structure. While preparing each topic to the best of your ability is essential, your preparation is complete with a clear grasp of the exam pattern.
Below are the ICSO Exam Pattern details to help you strategize your preparation more effectively.
How To Prepare for the International Computer Science Olympiad
Preparing for the International Computer Science Olympiad (ICSO) requires a strategic approach and dedicated effort. Here are some tips and insights to help you prepare effectively for this prestigious competition:
1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Familiarize yourself with the International Computer Science Olympiad exam pattern and syllabus. Knowing the structure of the exam and the topics it covers will help you focus your preparation and allocate time accordingly.
2. Practice and Revision
Practice is critical to success in the ICSO. Dedicate a significant amount of time to practice questions related to the fundamentals of computers, hardware, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, and the evolution of computers. Use sample papers and mock tests to boost your familiarity and efficiency.
3. Create a Feasible Study Schedule
Create a balanced study schedule, emphasizing weaker areas. Start early to manage the syllabus effectively. It will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by the vast syllabus.
4. Utilize Study Materials and Resources
Use study materials from the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) and other trusted sources. The SOF provides sample papers and study material to help you better understand the examination.
5. Seek Guidance and Learn from Mistakes
Seek guidance from teachers, mentors, or experts for valuable insights and tips for the ICSO. Analyzing your performance in practice tests is advisable to identify areas where you need improvement. This can help you focus on specific topics that require more attention and improve your overall performance. It is important to regularly assess your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your study plan.
6. Stay Updated and Motivated
Keep up-to-date with ICSO news and stay motivated through goal-setting and positive reinforcement.
Papers of the last year are a good attempt to know the pattern of the examination, question paper distribution, and level of difficulty. Sample papers, question papers and other study material are available on the official website of Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF), which is responsible for conducting the ICSO.
Student can also excess ICSO sample papers to give a boost to their preparation for the exam day. You can access different sample papers here.
The results of the ICSO 2025 exam will be declared by the officials on the SOF's official website once it is successfully conducted. Students can access the ICSO result using their credentials. Each student who applied for the exam will receive a Student Participation Certificate and a Student Performance Report.
SOF awards top performers at both international and zonal levels a range of awards, including cash prizes, medals, and certificates.
International Level Awards for ICSO 2025
Zonal Level Awards for ICSO 2025
(Session 2025 - 26)