International English Olympiad (IEO)
The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) organizes the International English Olympiad (IEO) for students across grades 1 to 12. This English language competition aims to evaluate students' proficiency in grammar, vocabulary, and overall language skills. By participating in the IEO, students gain valuable insight into their English language abilities, comparing their skills with peers globally.
The Olympiad offers participants the chance to earn medals and cash rewards. The competition is structured across various levels: school, city, zonal, and international. While students in grades 1 to 8 take the IEO exam at their respective schools, those in grades 9 to 12 can choose between taking the exam at their school or competing at city, zonal, or international levels.
1.0IEO 2025-26 Overview
Detail | Information |
Name of Examination | SOF International English Olympiad (IEO) |
Conducting Body | Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) |
Frequency | Annually |
Level | Intermediate |
Language Medium | English |
Application Process | Offline |
Registration Fee | Rs. 125 (Payable Offline) |
Examination Mode | Offline |
Duration | 60 Minutes |
Eligibility | Students in Grades 1-12 |
Scheduled Dates for 2025-26 | For Level 1-
For Level 2 -
|
Penalty for Wrong Answers | None |
Question Count | Grades 1 to 4: 35 questions Grades 5 to 12: 50 questions |
2.0International English Olympiad (IEO) Exam Dates
SOF International English Olympiad (IEO) dates are out now.
Level 1 Dates: | Date 1 - 12th Nov 2025 (Wednesday) Date 2 - 28th Nov 2025 (Friday) Date 3 - 12th Dec 2025 (Friday) |
Level 2 Dates: | First Week of February 2026 (Tentative) |
3.0
4.0Eligibility Requirements for SOF International English Olympiad (IEO) 2025 - 26
To participate in the SOF IEO Olympiad for the academic year 2025 - 2026, students must meet the following criteria:
- Grade Levels: The Olympiad is open to students in grades 1 to 12.
- School Affiliation: Participation is welcomed from students attending any school in India, including those following CBSE, ICSE, and various state education boards.
- School Registration: Eligible participants must be enrolled in schools that officially register with the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF).
- Application Submission: The applicants should fill in their application forms properly and submit them along with the required participation fee prior to the declared deadline.
By adhering to these guidelines, students can secure their opportunity to compete in the SOF IEO Olympiad and demonstrate their proficiency in English on a national platform.
IEO Eligibility Criteria For Level 1 & 2
Level 1 Eligibility:
The first level of the International English Olympiad opens doors to all students from grades 1 through 12 without any particular eligibility criteria. It implies that if students fulfill the necessary criteria outlined above, they are free to register for the Level 1 test.
Level 2 Eligibility:
Moving on to Level 2 of the IEO Olympiad gets increasingly competitive with a focus towards students from classes 3-12 who scored high in Level 1 test. Admission in the Level 2 test takes place based upon the following specifications:
- Students ranking in the top 5% from each class in the Level 1 exam are eligible for Level 2.
- Classified by their respective classes, each zone's top 25 rank holders are also eligible.
- In schools with at least 10 participants per class, the student with the highest score in their class who also secures at least 50% of the qualifying marks is eligible for Level 2.
- For section-wise registrations, the top scorers, irrespective of the section, will be considered for the second level, ensuring a comprehensive selection of the brightest minds.
5.0International English Olympiad (IEO) 2025-26 Registration Guide
Participation in the SOF International English Olympiad (IEO) for the academic year 2025-26 is primarily facilitated through schools. Schools interested in participating but still need to register with the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) can initiate the process by requesting a prospectus via email at info@sofworld.org.
Registration Steps for SOF IEO 2025-26:
Student Application: Enrollment is open exclusively to students whose schools are affiliated with the SOF. Schools provide necessary application forms and support students through the registration procedure. Students need to complete and submit these forms by the specified deadline.
IEO Olympiad Registration Fees for 2025-26:
A nominal fee is required at the time of application. Students must submit this fee to their school's administrative office along with their completed registration form.
For Indian school students and students in Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, the registration fee is INR 125 per student, including GST. International students must pay a fee of USD 11 per participant.
Note: Schools may also collect an additional INR 25 for mentoring, guiding, etc.
6.0Admit Card Distribution
The admit cards for registered participants will be given to schools after receiving and processing applications and fees. These cards will contain crucial details, such as roll numbers, a specific ID, and details of examination centers, like the school of the student or another school in the area.
7.0IEO 2025-26 Syllabus
The 2025-26 International Olympiad syllabus is designed to focus on the communication and use of English, including grammar learning.
The SOF IEO 2025 syllabus is divided into four sections: Word and Structure Knowledge, Reading, Spoken and Written Expression, and Achievers.
It is essential to be familiar with the latest syllabus to prepare effectively for the exam and to develop a strategic study plan.
Here is the detailed syllabus for the IEO 2025-26
Class | Detailed Syllabus |
1 | Jumbled Letters, Words: Their Meanings and Opposites, Identify the Word From the Picture, Making a Word, Feminine and Masculine, One and Many, Word Pairs, Odd One Out Animals: Their Babies, Sounds and Groups, Nouns, Verbs, Articles, Comprehension (Prose and Poetry). Achievers Section: Higher Order Thinking Questions - from the above given Syllabus. |
2 | Section – 1: Collocations, Spellings, and Words related to animals and their sounds, Clothes, Body parts, Basic emotions, Food, etc. Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Contractions, Word order, Punctuation, Simple tenses. Section – 2:Search for and retrieve information from various text types like stories, short dialogues, etc. Acquire broad understanding of and look for specific information in short texts like messages, invitations, etc. Section – 3: Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like thanking, greeting, asking for permission, introducing (oneself), etc. Section – 4: Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3. |
3 | Section – 1: Word Power : Homophones, Collocations, Spellings, Words related to animals, Household things, Clothes, Basic emotions, Food, Animals and Pets, etc. Synonyms and Antonyms, Gender, Number, Proverbs, One Word, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Prepositions, Simple Tenses, Conjunctions and Punctuation, Basic Questions etc. Section 2: Search for and retrieve information from various text types, such as stories and anecdotes. Understand information through pictures, Timetable format, etc. Acquire a broad understanding of and look for specific information in short texts, such as messages and invitations. Section – 3: Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like apology, greeting, introduction, request, etc. Section – 4: Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3. |
4 | Section – 1: Collocations, Spellings, Words related to animals, Household things, Clothes, Basic emotions, Food and Animals, etc. Synonyms, Antonyms, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Contractions, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Tenses, Punctuations and Jumbled words, Basic Questions etc. Section – 2: Search for and retrieve information from various text types like stories, Anecdotes, etc., Understand information through pictures, Time-table format, etc., Acquire broad understanding of and look for specific information in short texts like messages, Invitations, etc. Section – 3: Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like apology, greeting, introduction, request, etc. Section – 4: Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3. |
5 | Section – 1: Spellings, Collocations, Idioms, Homonyms and homophones, Words related to feelings, Travel, Food, Health, Appearance, Character, etc. Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs and Phrasal Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Prepositions, Punctuation, Tenses, Active-Passive Voice and Reported Speech, etc. Section – 2: Search for and retrieve information from various text types like news headlines, Messages, Letters, etc., Understand information given in News reports, Time-tables, Messages, etc., Acquire a broad understanding of and look for specific information in short texts like messages, menu card, dialogues, etc. Section – 3: Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like requests, Refusals, Apologies, etc. and the use of conjunctions. Section – 4: Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3. |
6 | Section – 1: Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Prepositions, Punctuation and Jumbled Words, Tenses, Voices, Narration, etc. Spellings, Collocations, Phrasal verbs, Idioms, Words related to everyday problems, Relationships, Health and Medicine, Travel, etc. Section – 2: Search for and retrieve information from various text types like News headlines, Brochures, Formal and Informal letters, Itinerary, etc., Acquire broad understanding of and look for specific information in Short narratives, Time-tables, News stories, Diary entry, Poster Making, Messages etc. Section – 3: Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like agreement and disagreement, Requests, Refusals, Apologies, etc. and also distinguish differences in the use of conjunctions. Section – 4: Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3. |
7 | Section – 1: Spellings, Collocations and Words related to Travel, Locations, Activities, Homonyms and Homophones, etc. Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies and Spellings, One word, Phrasal Verbs and Idioms, Modals, Word order, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Punctuation, Tenses, Voices and Narration, etc. Section – 2: Search for and retrieve information from various text types like News stories, Brochures, Formal and informal letters and advertisements. Understand information given in news reports, Brochures, Itinerary, etc., Acquire broad understanding of and look for specific information in short narratives, Biographies, Notices and Messages etc. Section – 3: Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like requesting and refusing, Apologies and stating of preferences and expression of intent, etc. Section – 4: Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3. |
8 | Section – 1: Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies and Spellings, Collocations, Phrasal Verbs, Idioms or Proverbs, Homonyms and Homophones, One word, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Prepositions, Prepositional Phrases, Participle Phrases, Conjunctions, Determiners, Jumbled Words and Punctuations, Tenses, Voices and Narrations, Question Tags, etc. Words related to leisure, Household items/issues, Social causes, Outdoor locations and activities, etc. Section – 2:Search for and retrieve information from various text types like News reports, Blurb, Dictionaries, etc., Understand information presented in instruction manual format, Message format and others. Acquire a broad understanding of and look for specific information in longer texts like Editorials, Essays, etc. Section – 3: Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like requesting, Giving information, Expressing surprise, Pronunciation etc. Section – 4: Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3. |
9 | Section – 1: Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies and Spellings, One word, Word order, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Punctuations, Jumbled words, Voices, Concord, Question forms, Tenses, Conditionals, Modals, Reported speech. Collocations, Phrasal verbs, Idioms, Homonyms and homophones, Words related to social cause, Travel, Workplace, etc. Section – 2:Search for and retrieve information from various text types like flyers, Classifieds, Dictionaries, etc., Understand information presented in instruction manual format, Message format and others. Acquire broad understanding of and look for specific information in longer texts like editorials, Essays, etc. Section – 3: Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like Giving advice, Stating preferences, Discussing probability, Making an offer, etc. Section – 4: Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3. |
10 | Section – 1: Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies and Spellings, One Word, Word order, Nouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Punctuations, Voices, Narration. Concord, Question forms, Tenses, Conditionals, Modals, Collocations, Phrasal verbs, Idioms, Homonyms and homophones, Words related to weather, Countries, Language and people, Global problems, etc. Section 2: Search for and retrieve information from various text types, such as Encyclopedias and dictionaries; Understand information presented in instruction manual format, Message format, and others; Acquire a broad understanding of and look for specific information in longer texts, such as editorials and essays; and make inferences from advanced texts. Section – 3: Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like Giving/accepting compliments, Agreeing, Disagreeing, Requesting, Seeking information, Pronunciation etc. Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3. |
11 & 12 | As Per Your Prescribed Syllabus. |
8.0International English Olympiad (IEO) Exam Pattern for 2025-26
The IEO offers a structured approach to testing English proficiency through a Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) format. It unfolds across two levels—Level 1 and Level 2—to gradually elevate students' engagement and mastery.
Level 1 IEO Exam Pattern 2025 for Class 1 to 4
The Level 1 IEO Examination for grades 1 to 4 consists of 35 MCQs that need to be answered within an hour. It is divided into four separate parts: Word and Structure Knowledge, Reading, Spoken and Written Expression, and the Achievers Section:
Class | Section | No. of Questions | Marks/Question | Total Marks |
1st to 4th | Word and Structure Knowledge | 15 | 1 | 15 |
Reading | 10 | 1 | 10 | |
Spoken and Written Expression | 5 | 1 | 5 | |
Achievers Section | 5 | 2 | 10 | |
Grand Total | 35 |
| 40 |
Level 1 IEO Exam Pattern 2025 For Class 5 to 12
The Level 1 IEO examination for grades 5 to 12 features 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be completed within a timeframe of one hour. The exam is organized into four distinct sections: Word and Structure Knowledge, Reading, Spoken and Written Expression, and the Achievers Section:
Class | Section | No. of Questions | Marks/Question | Total Marks |
5th to 12th | Word and Structure Knowledge | 30 | 1 | 30 |
Reading | 10 | 1 | 10 | |
Spoken and Written Expression | 5 | 1 | 5 | |
Achievers Section | 5 | 3 | 15 | |
Grand Total | 50 |
| 60 |
Level 2 IEO Exam Pattern for Classes 3- 4
The Level 2 IEO examination for grades 3 to 4 features 35 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be completed within a timeframe of one hour. The exam is organized into four distinct sections: Word and Structure Knowledge, Reading, and the Achievers Section:
Class | Topic/Section | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
3 & 4 | Word and Structure Knowledge | 20 | 1 | 20 |
Reading | 10 | 1 | 10 | |
Achievers Section | 5 | 2 | 10 | |
Grand Total | 35 |
| 40 |
Level 2 IEO Exam Pattern for Classes 5- 12
The Level 2 IEO examination for grades 5 to 12 features 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be completed within a timeframe of one hour. The exam is organized into four distinct sections: Word and Structure Knowledge, Reading, and the Achievers Section:
Class | Topic/Section | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
5 to 12 | Word and Structure Knowledge | 35 | 1 | 35 |
Reading | 10 | 1 | 10 | |
Achievers Section | 5 | 3 | 15 | |
Grand Total | 50 |
| 60 |
9.0SOF IEO Awards 2025-2026
For the academic year 2025-26, the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) has dedicated more than Rs. 20 Crores towards various recognitions, including awards, scholarships, gifts, and honors. In this upcoming academic year, SOF International English Olympiad winners will be awarded various awards showcasing their outstanding achievements.
Awards for Level 1
At Zonal Level
Rank | Scholarships | No. of Awards/Scholarships |
1 to 25 | Medal of Distinction* + Certificate of Distinction + Student Performance Report | 7800 |
Rank 26+ | Participation Certificate + Student Performance Report | All |
Awards for Level 2 and Awards for Classes 1 and 2
At the International Level
Rank | Scholarships | No. of Awards/Scholarships |
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 |
In the Event of Tie Rankings:
- If up to 10 students share the same international rank, that category's cash award/scholarship will be equally divided. Additionally, each student will receive a medal corresponding to their rank and a Certificate of Achievement.
- For situations where 11 or more students achieve the same rank, instead of the standard cash award/scholarship, each student will be presented with gifts valued at Rs.1,000, alongside a medal appropriate to their rank and a Certificate of Achievement.
At Zonal Level
Rank | Scholarships | No. Of Awards/ Scholarships |
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 |
Guidelines for Equal Ranks:
- When up to five students share the same Zonal rank, the cash prize/scholarship is evenly split among them. Each of these winners also receives a medal relevant to their category and a certificate.
- For instances where six or more participants share the same rank, instead of a cash prize/scholarship, they each receive gifts valued at Rs. 1,000, a medal corresponding to their rank, and a certificate.
Medals and Distinctions:
- Medals are awarded in gold, silver, or bronze, corresponding to the winners' ranks.
- For exams with a single level and in the first level of two-tiered exams, a Medal of Distinction and Certificate of Distinction are provided based on first-level performance.
- Zonal medals and a Certificate of Zonal Excellence are distributed for the second level of performance.
Note: Single-level exams include SOF IGKO, SOF NCO, SOF ISSO, & SOF ICO. For the SOF IEO, SOF NSO, & SOF IMO, classes one and two are conducted as single-level exams.
IEO faq
Related Article
Join ALLEN!
(Session 2025 - 26)