Home » Olympiads » International CREST Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) Exam Pattern and Syllabus

International CREST Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) Exam Pattern and Syllabus

In the previous article, we discussed the details of the Crest Mathematics Olympiad, in this article, we will specifically talk about the Exam pattern such as the format of the question paper, the duration of the exam according to the grade, and also the comprehensive syllabus of each class.

International CREST Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)  Exam Pattern 

CREST Mathematics Olympiad Stages

The CMO typically consists of a dual stage, where you participate in one comprehensive exam, qualify for it and appear for the next exam. Unlike multi-level Olympiads, the CMO is completed in two sittings conducted online.

Important Page Regarding IMO Olympiad Preparation

Structure of the CREST Mathematics Olympiad

Grade-Specific Papers: The exam papers are specific to your grade level, ensuring that the questions are age-appropriate and challenging.

Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs): The exam primarily consists of MCQs, where you must choose the correct answer from the given options. There is an additional achiever section given in the paper. 

Types of Questions: The CMO focuses on multiple-choice questions designed to test various mathematical concepts and logical reasoning. The questions range from straightforward calculations to complex problem-solving scenarios.

Duration of CMO Olympiad: The exam is objective, and you have 60 minutes to do it if you are from class 1 to 10. For Prep/KG children, the exam will last for 45 minutes. Exam assistance from parents and teachers will be provided for pupils in Classes Prep/KG and 1. 

Recommended Study Material: To prepare for the CMO, you should use the following study material-

School Textbooks: As the CMO Exam is aligned with the school curriculum, you must study regular school textbooks as they are a primary resource to prepare for this Olympiad.

CMO-Specific Study Guides: These are often available from the organizers or publishers and include practice questions, mock tests, and previous years’ papers.

Mathematical Olympiad Workbooks: These workbooks are customized to competitive exams and help you practice problem-solving techniques.Sample Papers: Sample papers for the CMO can be downloaded from our website. Practising with these papers helps you understand the exam pattern and improve your time management.

International CREST Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) Syllabus

There is a separate syllabus for the Practical and Achiever Sections CMO Exam. 

For kids in Classes KG to 10, there will be two levels.

Class KG
Practical SectionBasic Concepts on Comparison (Big-Small, Front-Back, Full-Empty, Heavy-Light, In-Out, More-Less, Right-Left, Same-Different, Tall-Short, Thick-Thin, Top-Bottom)Numbers (Number names (1-50), Before, After, Between Numbers (1-20), Skip Counting (2 and 5))Playing Numbers (1-digit Addition and Subtraction, Putting Signs like \’>\’, \'<\’ and \’=\’)Time (Days of a Week, Months in a Year),Shapes (Square, Rectangle, Triangle, Circle, Oval, Sphere, Cone, Cube, Cylinder)
Achievers SectionHigher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section 1
Class 1
Practical SectionNumerals, Number Names, Number Sense (2 digit numbers), Addition, Subtraction, Lengths, Weights and Comparisons, Time, Money, Geometrical Shapes and Solids, Patterns
Achievers SectionHigher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section 1
Class 2
Practical SectionNumerals, Number Names and Number Sense (3-digit Numbers), Computation Operations, Length, Weight, Capacity, Time, Temperature, Money, Lines, Shapes and Solids, Pictographs, Patterns
Achiever SectionHigher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section 1
Class 3
Practical SectionNumerals, Number Names and Number Sense (4-digit numbers), Computation Operations, Fractions, Length, Weight, Capacity, Temperature, Time, Money, Geometry, Data Handling
Achiever SectionHigher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section 1
Class 4 
Practical SectionNumerals and Number Names, Number Sense (5-digit numbers), Computation Operations, Fractions, Length, Weight, Capacity, Time, Money, Geometry, Perimeter of Various Shapes, Symmetry, Conversions, Data Handling
Achiever SectionHigher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section 1
Class 5
Practical SectionNumerals, Number Names and Number Sense (7 and 8-digit numbers), Computation Operations, Fractions and Decimals, Measurement of Length, Weight, Capacity, Volume, Time, Temperature and Money, Conversions, Geometrical Shapes and Solids, Angles, Perimeter of Various Shapes & Area of Rectangle and Square, Symmetry, Data Handling
Achievers SectionHigher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section 1
Class 6
Practical SectionKnowing Our Numbers, Whole Numbers, Playing with Numbers, Basic Geometrical Ideas, Understanding Elementary Shapes, Integers, Fractions, Decimals, Data Handling, Mensuration, Algebra, Ratio and Proportion, Symmetry, Practical Geometry
Achievers SectionHigher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section 1
Class 7
Practical SectionIntegers, Fractions and Decimals, Exponents and Powers, Algebraic Expressions, Simple Linear Equations, Lines and Angles, Comparing Quantities, The Triangle and Its Properties, Symmetry, Congruence of Triangles, Rational Numbers, Perimeter and Area, Data Handling, Visualizing Solid Shapes, Practical Geometry
Achievers SectionHigher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section 1
Class 8
Practical SectionRational Numbers, Squares and Square Roots, Cubes and Cube Roots, Exponents and Powers, Comparing Quantities, Algebraic Expressions and Identities, Linear Equations in One Variable, Understanding Quadrilaterals, Constructions, Mensuration, Visualizing Solid Shapes, Data Handling, Direct and Inverse Variations, Factorization, Introduction to Graphs, Playing with Numbers
Achievers SectionHigher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section 1
Class 9
Practical SectionNumber Systems, Polynomials, Coordinate Geometry, Linear Equations in Two Variables, Introduction to Euclid’s Geometry, Lines and Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Areas of Parallelograms and Triangles, Circles, Constructions, Heron’s Formula, Surface Areas and Volumes, Statistics, Probability
Achievers SectionHigher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section 1
Class 10
Practical SectionReal Numbers, Polynomials, Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables, Quadratic Equations, Arithmetic Progressions, Triangles, Coordinate Geometry, Introduction to Trigonometry, Some Applications of Trigonometry, Circles, Constructions, Areas Related to Circles, Surface Areas and Volumes, Statistics, Probability
Achievers SectionHigher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section 1

Frequently asked questions about CMO Exam Pattern and Syllabus

What is Verbal vs. Written Communication in the CMO?

Ans: Verbal: In the context of the CMO, verbal communication might occur during instructions given by teachers or invigilators on the exam day. However, the actual exam is a written test, so verbal interaction is minimal.

Written: The CMO is a fully written examination. All questions are presented in a written format on a computer screen, and you are required to tick your answers accordingly. This involves reading questions and answering multiple-choice or descriptive questions on devices such as Laptops or Computer screens.

What Comes in the Crest Mathematics Olympiad (CMO)?

Ans: The CMO typically covers a range of mathematical topics relevant to the participant’s grade level. These include arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data handling, and logical reasoning. The questions are designed to assess your understanding, application, and problem-solving abilities in mathematics.

What is the Duration of the Crest Mathematics Olympiad (CMO)?

Ans: The duration of the CMO exam is usually 60 minutes for grades 1-10 and 45 minutes for KG class. During this time, you are required to answer a specific number of questions depending on your grade level.

Is It the Online Proctor CMO with a Camera or Microphone On?

Ans: CMO is conducted online, it involves online proctoring, where you are monitored through a camera or microphone to maintain the exam’s integrity.

Do We Need to Download Additional Software to Give Online?

Ans: Yes, when you are taking the CMO online, you may need to download specific software or an application provided by the CREST to take the exam. Instructions regarding this will be provided before the exam.

What is the Difference Between CMO Levels 1 and 2?

Ans: The CMO is a dual-stage exam, meaning there are Level 1 or Level 2. All of you participate in the same Level 1 before qualifying for second subsequent rounds.

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