SOF International Science Olympiad (ISO, formerly NSO)
From the 2026–27 academic session, the Science Olympiad Foundation renamed the National Science Olympiad (NSO) to the International Science Olympiad (ISO). If you're searching for NSO syllabus, NSO previous year papers or NSO exam dates, you're in the right place — it's the same examination under its new name, open to students of Classes 1 to 12.
Quick Answer
In short: SOF ISO (formerly NSO) is a Science Olympiad for Classes 1–12, with Level 2 for qualifiers in Classes 3–12. The next 2026–27 exam date is 30 Oct 2026, and registration goes through participating schools.
Organizer
Science Olympiad Foundation
Subject
Science
Eligible Classes
1–12
Level Structure
Level 1 + Level 2 (Classes 3–12)
2026–27 Exam Dates
View Full Calendar →| Option | Date |
|---|---|
| Exam Date Option 1 | 30 Oct 2026 |
| Exam Date Option 2 | 19 Nov 2026 |
| Exam Date Option 3 | 3 Dec 2026 |
Level 2 is open only to Level 1 qualifiers in Classes 3–12, at a date SOF announces separately after Level 1 results are declared.
Last verified 2026-09-18 against Science Olympiad Foundation's published schedule. Always confirm exact dates with your school.
Tutors Parliament provides independent preparation resources only. Registration for SOF Olympiads is handled by the Science Olympiad Foundation according to its own official process, generally through participating schools rather than individual students.
ISO Syllabus Overview
- Class-appropriate Science topics — Physics, Chemistry and Biology strands as relevant to the syllabus for that class
- Logical Reasoning questions built around scientific concepts
- Everyday Science — applying classroom concepts to practical situations
- An Achievers Section with higher-order-thinking questions for eligible classes
ISO Exam Pattern
- Objective-type (multiple-choice) questions across all sections
- Difficulty and section weightage generally increase with class level
- Level 1 is open to all eligible students; Level 2 is restricted to qualifiers in Classes 3–12
ISO Preparation Strategy
- Treat the rename seriously — search and study using 'ISO' going forward, since 2026–27 previous-year references will use the new name
- Revise NCERT/board Science concepts for the current class before attempting Olympiad-level application questions
- Practice reasoning questions that connect two or more science concepts, a common Achievers-section pattern
- Use past NSO papers for practice — the content and difficulty pattern carries over under the new ISO name
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ISO the same exam as NSO?
Yes. From the 2026–27 session, SOF renamed the National Science Olympiad (NSO) to the International Science Olympiad (ISO). It is the same examination, syllabus structure and organizer — only the name has changed.
Will old NSO previous year papers still help for ISO preparation?
Yes. Since ISO is NSO under a new name, previous NSO papers remain directly relevant for practicing the question style, difficulty level and section pattern.
Is SOF's ISO the same as other exams also called 'ISO'?
No. More than one organization runs a school-level competition called ISO — for example, the Indian Talent Olympiad also uses the ISO name. This page covers specifically the Science Olympiad Foundation's ISO (formerly NSO).
How can Tutors Parliament help with ISO preparation?
A tutor can help identify which Science strand — Physics, Chemistry or Biology concepts as tested in the Olympiad — needs the most attention, and build focused practice around the Achievers and reasoning sections.
Where can I find official ISO previous year papers?
Tutors Parliament does not reproduce official SOF papers or previous year papers, out of respect for SOF's copyright — refer to the official Science Olympiad Foundation website or your school for genuine past papers. For original practice in the meantime, see the class-wise sample questions linked from the "Choose Your Class" section above.
Does SOF provide an official ISO mock test?
SOF does not publish an official online mock test for ISO. Tutors Parliament's general Assessments product offers chapter-wise and subject-wise practice tests for Classes 6–12 — see the "Check Understanding First" section on the relevant Class page for a starting point, alongside the sample questions above.
Other SOF Olympiads
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Tutors Parliament is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Science Olympiad Foundation, HBCSE, MTA(I), IAPT or other examination organizations unless explicitly stated. Examination names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Please verify registration dates and rules from the official organiser before making any decisions.