ISO Class 1
The ISO for Class 1 — the 35-question paper, its sections, the Class 1 syllabus, and how to prepare for the reasoning that carries the marks.
Covers
- Class 1
The SOF International Science Olympiad (ISO) for Class 1. The science olympiad rewards understanding over recall. A child who has memorised a definition and one who can predict what happens when a variable changes look identical in a school test and very different here.
At this age the paper is read to a child as much as by them. The value is not the rank; it is twenty minutes of sustained attention on problems that do not look like homework.
The paper
35 questions in one hour, for 40 marks.
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Science | 25 | 1 | 25 |
| 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, Odd One Out, Measuring Units, Geometrical Shapes, Spatial Understanding, Grouping of Figures, Analogy, Ranking Test, Problems based on Figures.
Science
Living and Non-living Things, Plants, Animals, Human Beings and Their Needs, Good Habits and Safety Rules, Air and Water, Weather and The Sky.
The Achievers Section draws on the same syllabus, 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.
Syllabus and paper pattern from the Science Olympiad Foundation. Check sofworld.org for the current year's dates before planning around them.
Start with ISO Class 1
Sophoz builds each session around what your child has not yet mastered, and reports what they actually understood rather than what they scored.
Start practising