The International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) is among the flagship programs of the International Geoscience Education Organization (IGEO). The IESO seeks to increase student interest in and public awareness of Earth sciences and enhance Earth science education. The IESO offers an opportunity for students to compete academically, learn from others, and display their abilities on the international stage. This renowned contest encompasses a wide range of earth sciences, such as geology, geophysics, meteorology, oceanography, astronomy, and environmental sciences. Students who are interested in earth sciences and would like to enhance their academic and personal growth as well as network with students from other parts of the world should grab this golden opportunity to attend the IESO exam.
IESO Exam History
The IESO is an educational event for secondary school students globally, organized by the International Geoscience Education Organization (IGEO). The first IESO took place in Daegu, South Korea, in 2007. Since then, it has been held annually, drawing over 200 students from more than 40 countries and regions each year.
The IESO competition includes theoretical and practical examinations and fieldwork tests. Excelling in the IESO can enhance students' profiles when applying for higher education programs or future job opportunities in the field of earth sciences.
In the given table, we have mentioned the important details about the IESO 2025 Exam:
This prestigious event will be held in August 2025 and organized under the guidance of the IGEO committee, the event is co-hosted by Peking University, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Seismological Society of China. Each participating country or region can send a team consisting of four official student participants and two mentors, with the option to include up to six guest students and ten observers. The exact dates for IESO 2025 haven’t been updated yet, so you can refer the tentative schedule mentioned below:
The IESO exam selection process has different stages. After each stage, a final 5-6 candidates will be selected for the IESO 2025 exam, which will be held, China.
Stage 1: National Level Entrance Test (ET): This is usually conducted by a designated national body overseeing the IESO in the respective country. The ET assesses students' knowledge in geology, geophysics, meteorology, oceanography, astronomy, and environmental science. And certain number of top scorers proceed to the next stage.
Stage 2: Training Camp and Indian National Earth Science Olympiad (INESO) Training Camp: This camp involves lectures, practical sessions, field trips, and data analysis. At the end of the training camp, the student's progress is evaluated through a competitive exam, the INESO. The top-performing students from the INESO are chosen to represent the country at the IESO.
Stage 3: Pre-Departure Training Camp. At this camp, the selected students undergo further training and preparation. This camp helps them enhance their knowledge and skills and emphasizes team building and cultural exchange.
Stage 4: International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO): The final stage is the IESO itself, held in a different country each year. It consists of theoretical and practical exams, as well as field activities and the performance of participants is assessed by an international jury.
According to the latest eligibility criteria set by the IGEO, students who wish to participate in the IESO exam must meet these two conditions:
The International Earth Science Olympiad syllabi will provide an indication of the topics and the level of difficulty of each topic. Reviewing the syllabus thoroughly to prepare for the exam adequately is important. The primary goal in designing the IESO syllabus was to treat each domain of Earth Sciences, Geology, Hydrology, and Atmosphere as independent disciplines and as a holistic approach that highlights the interconnections among the Earth systems.
Here is a summary of the topics included in the 2025 IESO Exam syllabus:
You can avail the complete detailed Exam in downloadable PDF format from the link mentioned here.
Understanding the exam pattern helps you gauge the difficulty level of the questions, the types of questions, the number of questions, and their marking scheme. It will also assist you in strategically planning your study schedule.
IESO 2025 Exam Pattern Key Details
Preparation is required to succeed in any exam or Olympiad, but the most important thing is how systematic you are in preparation and how well-planned your preparation schedule is. Your preparation schedule must guarantee that you prepare all topics at the right time, with plenty of revision and practice of International Earth Science Olympiad questions.
Therefore, we have brought you some essential tips to prepare for the exam:
(Session 2025 - 26)