IMO Class 4

The SOF International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) for Class 4. Olympiad mathematics is not harder school mathematics. Most questions are solvable with the syllabus a child already has; the difficulty is noticing which piece of it applies to a problem they have not seen before.

This is the band where the logical-reasoning section starts to matter, and where most of it appears nowhere in the school textbook. It is the most trainable part of the paper.

The paper

35 questions in one hour, for 40 marks.

Section	Questions	Marks each	Total
Logical Reasoning	10	1	10
Mathematical Reasoning	10	1	10
Everyday Mathematics	10	1	10
Achievers Section	5	2	10
Total	35		40

The Achievers Section is 5 questions at 2 marks each — 10 of the 40 marks from a tenth of the questions. It is where the paper is actually decided, and it is the part most preparation skips.

What is on the syllabus

Logical Reasoning

Patterns, Alphabet Test, Coding-Decoding, Ranking Test, Mirror Images, Geometrical Shapes and Solids, Embedded Figures, Direction Sense Test, Possible Combinations, Analogy and Classification, Clock and Calendar.

Mathematical Reasoning

Numerals, Number Names, Number Sense (more than 4-digit numbers), Computation Operations, Fractions, Length, Weight, Capacity, Time, Money, Geometry, Perimeter of Various Shapes, Symmetry, Conversions, Data Handling.

Everyday Mathematics and the Achievers Section draw on the same syllabus as Mathematical Reasoning above — set in context, and at higher order.

How Sophoz prepares for it

Practice is weighted towards problems whose shape is unfamiliar, because that is the skill the paper tests. Hints open up an approach rather than giving away the step, so the child still does the noticing.

Sessions are paced backwards from the exam date, with earlier topics revisited at widening intervals. Spacing beats massing by a wide margin — it is the best-evidenced result in learning science.

Mastery is tracked per skill rather than per subject, so a weak area is visible instead of being averaged away inside a percentage.

Before you register

Registration is through the school; SOF does not generally accept individual entries. Classes 3 and above have a second level for top performers, so a strong first paper is not the end of the preparation.

Syllabus and paper pattern from the Science Olympiad Foundation. Check sofworld.org for the current year's dates before planning around them.