As the pandemic disturbed a ton of the academic related regions, the National Olympic program of this current year additionally went through a few changes in the test design. In addition, the quantity of stages through which the tests are directed has been decreased.
Categories of Indian Olympiad Qualifier
- Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Junior Science (IOQJS)
- Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Astronomy (IOQA)
- Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Chemistry (IOQC)
- Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Physics (IOQP)
- Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Biology (IOQB)
- Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM)
Examination Pattern
Paper Duration : 3 Hrs
Mode: Offline
Type of Exam: Subjective & Objective
Negative Marking: -1 for Incorrect Answer in Part 1.
Note :– The No of Questions in both Paper 1 and Paper 2 will be updated as more information is updated on the official page of IAPT and HBCSE.Different Stages of Science Olympiad
A common 5-stage procedure for the selection of the teams to represent India at the international Olympiads had been followed in previous years. The selection procedure for the 2021-2022 cycle has been changed to just a 4-stage process (five-stage for Mathematics Olympiad), as a one-time exception only.
Stage 1 – Indian Olympiad Qualifier (IOQ)
This IOQ (with the exception of IOQM) will be a 3 hrs assessment which will be both objective and subjective. Paper 1 will be objective-sort of 60 minutes, and Paper 2 will be absolutely subjective of 2 hours. Just those students who clear the cut off for Paper 1, will have their answer sheets checked for Paper 2.
Stage 2 – Orientation Cum Selection Camps (OCSC)
In this stage the student undergoes some theoretical and experimental sessions, and only 35-40 students from all over India compete against each to qualify for the Pre-Departure Camp. At these camps, orientation is provided to students for Olympiad level of theoretical, experimental and observational (for astronomy) tasks. Emphasis is laid on developing conceptual foundations and problem-solving skills.
Stage 3 – Pre-Departure Camp
In this stage, only 4-6 students who qualify from stage 2 undergo some rigorous training programme at HBCSE in theory and experiments before their departure, to compete at International level. Special laboratories have been developed in HBCSE for this purpose. Resource persons from different institutions across the country are invited to the training camps.
Stage 4 – International Olympiad
The Olympiad programme culminates with the participation of the Indian students (4-6 in each subject) in the International Olympiads. The students are accompanied by 2-4 teachers or mentors.
IOQ Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria for IOQ Junior Science (IOQJS)
- The candidate must be an Indian Citizen.
- The candidate's date of birth should be between 1st January 2007 and 31st December 2008, both days inclusive.
- The candidate must be staying and studying in India since 30th November 2019 or before OR must be studying in an Indian school system since 30th November 2019 or before.
- The candidate must be studying in class 8, 9, or 10 and not have completed (or scheduled to complete) the class 10 board examination before 30th November 2021.
- The candidate must not be appearing in any of IOQA, IOQB, IOQC, or IOQP in the same academic year appearing in IOQJS.
Eligibility Criteria for IOQA, IOQB, IOQC and IOQP
- The aspirant must be eligible to hold an Indian passport.
- The candidate's date of birth should be between 1st July 2002 and 30th June 2007, both days inclusive.
- The candidate must be staying and studying in India since 30th November 2019 or before OR must be studying in an Indian school system since 30th November 2019 or before.
- The candidate must be a student of class 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 and should not have completed (or scheduled to complete)
IOQ Syllabus
IOQP (Physics): Is mainly equivalent to senior secondary level (up to and including Class XII) of CBSE.
IOQC (Chemistry): Is mainly equivalent to senior secondary level (up to and including Class XII) of CBSE.
IOQA (Astronomy): Is mainly equivalent to senior secondary level (up to and including Class XII) of CBSE. There will be greater emphasis on Physics, Mathematics and Elementary Astronomy.
IOQB (Biology): Is mainly equivalent to senior secondary level (up to and including Class XII) of CBSE.
IOQJS (Junior Science): Is mainly equivalent to secondary school level (up to and including Class X) of CBSE. All the basic subjects of science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and Mathematics may have roughly equal emphasis
IOQ Exam Dates
The Indian Olympiad Qualifier 2022-23 exam dates is not released yet. We will update the dates when released.
IOQM (Mathematics) : Not released
IOQJS (Junior Science) : Not released
IOQP (Physics) : Not released
IOQC (Chemistry) : Not released
IOQA (Astronomy) : Not released
IOQB (Biology) : Not released
IOQ Registration Process
The eligible candidates can apply or register online for the IOQ.
The steps for registration of the Indian Qualifier Examination are listed below:
- Firstly the candidate needs to visit the official website of IAPT.
- From there, the candidate can download the application form.
- The candidates must fill out the Indian Olympiad Qualifier application form and submit it to the registration center.
Process of selection
Case 1: Based on her IOQ performance, Amita is ranked 17th in Physics, 15th in Chemistry and 4th in Astronomy. She will be selected in Physics OCSC and her name will not be included in Chemistry or Astronomy OCSCs. As a result, all the students ranked below her in Chemistry and Astronomy will gain one rank while being considered for OCSC selection. Amita will receive a certificate of merit in all three subjects.
Case 2: Amita is ranked 80th in Physics, 15th in Chemistry and 4th in Astronomy. She is unlikely to be selected for Physics OCSC because her rank is too low to be upgraded to less than 35. She will now be selected in Chemistry OCSC, and not for Astronomy. She will receive a certificate of merit in Chemistry and Astronomy.
Case 3: Amita is ranked 37th in Physics, 15th in Chemistry and 4th in Astronomy. She is initially noteligible for Physics, but has qualified for Chemistry and Astronomy. However, it so happens that two students ranked above her in Physics get selected in some other subject based on their preferences. Since their names are now removed from the Physics list, Amita’s rank goes up to 35, and she becomes eligible for Physics which is her first preference. Therefore she gets selected in Physics, and not in Chemistry or Astronomy. She will receive a certificate of merit in all three subjects.
Some common FAQs on IOQ
Q. What is IOQ?
Answer: Indian Olympiad Qualifier is the full form of IOQ. The Indian Olympiad Qualifier Exam in Science is a three-hour duration exam conducted jointly by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) and Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE).
Q. What is the online link from where a student will register online for the IOQ exam?
Answer: Students can register for the exam at https://www.iaptexam.in/
Q. Will the student take both Paper 1 and Paper 2 simultaneously?
Answer: Yes, the student will be taking both the papers Simultaneously
Q. What is the webpage link of the HBCSE official website for Science Olympiads?
Answer: https://reg.ioqexam.in/