Today I will discuss the International Mathematics Olympiad and its five stages. The National Board of Higher Mathematics (NBHM) of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, authorizes the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) to organize the Mathematical Olympiad program.
This programme leads to the participation of Indian students like you in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
About HBCSE Olympiad PRMO or IOQM
The organization of IMO is one of the major initiatives undertaken by the NBHM. The main motive of this exam is to identify mathematics geniuses among pre-university students across the country.
Whether you are a student or an educator in science or mathematics, the Olympiad program offers unique and enriching experiences beyond traditional education.
If I talk about the beginning of this Olympiad, the inaugural IMO took place in Romania in 1959. It has been conducted annually since, except 1980. More than 100 countries take part in this prestigious Olympiad.
You must know that 25 regions have been chosen around the country, with each allocated a Regional Coordinator (RC) to oversee the selection and training of pupils for the Olympiad contest. Three groups (Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) choose a ‘Regional Coordinator’ each.
Stages in HBCSE Olympiad Examp:
The Mathematical Olympiad programme is of six stages and clearance of these stages leads you to the International Mathematics Olympiad.
1- IOQM Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) or PRMO (Pre Regional Mathematical Olympiad)
2- RMO (Regional Mathematical Olympiad)
3- INMO (Indian National Mathematical Olympiad)
4- IMOTC (International Mathematics Olympiad Training Camp)
5- PDC (Pre -Departure Camp)
6- IMO (International Mathematics Olympiad)
About IOQM (PRMO) Stage 1:
In this article, we will discuss the HBCSE Olympiad Stage One Olympiads Exam which is PRMO or IOQM. Remaining five stages you will find the article link on the abovementioned stage.
So, You must note that the first stage examination is the Pre-Regional Mathematical Olympiad (PRMO) now known as the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM). It is a two and a three-hour exam with 30 questions.
Every question has a single or two-digit answer, which must be recorded on a machine-readable OMR response sheet. You can write PRMO question papers in both English and Hindi.
IOQM (PRMO) Registration Process
The Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM), formerly known as the PRMO exam, is a prestigious scholarship examination conducted by the Mathematics Teachers’ Association. Designed to nurture mathematical talent, the IOQM is held annually and is open to students from classes 8 through 12.
The exam comprises five stages, culminating in the selection of approximately 300 students from classes 8 to 11 and 60 students from class 12 for the RMO (Regional Mathematical Olympiad).
The examination is administered in both English and Hindi, ensuring accessibility to a broad audience. By participating in this exam, you have the opportunity to advance in your mathematical journey and gain recognition for your skills.
Registration for the HBCSE Mathematics Olympiad can be completed through the following methods:
1. Online Registration:
Schools can register their students online through the official HBCSE portal. The process involves filling out the necessary forms, providing the necessary documents and paying the registration cost online.
- Step 1: Visit the Official Websites: Access the registration forms on either ioqmexam dot in or ioqm dot manageexam dot com.
- Step 2: Fill Out the Application Form: Provide the required details accurately in the online application form.
- Step 3: Submit Required Document: Ensure all necessary documents are uploaded in the correct format.
- Step 4: Pay the Registration Fee: Complete the payment process as per the instructions provided.
- Step 5: Confirmation: After submission, keep a copy of the confirmation for future reference.
2. Offline Registration:
In some cases, schools may prefer offline registration. They can download the registration forms from the HBCSE website, fill them out, and submit them along with the required documents and fees to the designated HBCSE centres.
Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) (PRMO) Eligibility Criteria
Age and Class
Students born between August 1, 2005, and July 31, 2012, and studying in Class 8 to 12 are eligible whereas students born on or after August 1, 2012, are not eligible.
Nationality
Must be eligible to hold an Indian passport. Students with OCI cards are provisionally eligible but cannot be selected for the International team in IMO, EGMO, or APMO. They can participate in all prior stages up to and including IMOTC and EGMOTC. This policy may change based on future court orders or government directives.
Residency
Must be residing and studying in India since October 30, 2022, or earlier, OR studying in an Indian school system since October 30, 2022, or earlier. Students living abroad and studying in an Indian school system must travel to India for IOQM 2024 and subsequent stages (RMO 2024 and INMO 2025) if they qualify. They will be considered as enrolled from Delhi-NCR and must bear travel expenses.
Class 12 Board Exam
Must not have qualified (or be scheduled to appear for) Class 12 board examinations earlier than October 30, 2024. Forfeiting Class 12 board exam results to meet IOQM 2024 eligibility is not allowed and will lead to disqualification.
University Studies
Must not have commenced (or plan to commence) study in a university or similar institution by June 1, 2025.
INMO Awardees
INMO 2024 awardees are eligible to directly write INMO 2025 without qualifying through IOQM 2024 and RMO 2024, provided they meet the age criteria, have not commenced university studies by June 1, 2025, and meet the eligibility criteria for IMO 2025 and EGMO 2026.
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Students Eligibility
OCI students cannot represent India in IMO 2025 and EGMO 2026. Students who require the Hindi version will need to indicate their choice at the time of registration for IOQM. Students have to be qualified to hold an Indian passport.
Provisionally, students possessing OCI cards are eligible to take the IOQM 2024, subject to the following conditions:
According to the Madras High Court’s rulings, students having OCI status are ineligible for selection to the Indian team in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO), and Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad.
Such students, however, are provisionally eligible for selection at ALL preceding levels, including the International Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp (IMOTC) and the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp (EGMOTO), assuming they meet all other requirements.
PRMO (IOQM) Exam Pattern and Syllabus
For the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM), you will have 180 minutes to complete the exam. The test is conducted in an offline mode, using pen and paper, and is available in both English and Hindi.
You’ll face a total of 30 questions with varying marks: 7 questions worth 2 marks each, 15 questions worth 3 marks each, and 8 questions worth 5 marks each. There is no negative marking, so you can answer without worrying about penalties for incorrect responses.
The exam papers will be scanned and evaluated by machines, ensuring precise grading. This exam is crucial for you if you’re aiming to qualify for the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO).
Pre RMO Syllabus
You will have to study the following topics for PRMO (IOQM) according to your grade.
Class 8: Mathematics:
- Geometry
- Algebraic Expressions
- Basic Graph Theory
- Factorisation
- Linear Equations (Single Variable)
- Permutations and Combinations
- Rational Numbers
- Square and Cube Roots
Class 9: Mathematics:
- Circle Properties
- Coordinate Geometry
- Area Calculations (Parallelograms and Triangles)
- Linear Equations (Two Variables)
- Number System Concepts
- Polynomials
- Surface Area and Volume
- Probability Basics
Class 10: Mathematics:
- Properties of Circles
- Coordinate Geometry
- Linear Equations (Two Variables)
- Inequalities
- Arithmetic Progressions
- Quadratic Equations
- Real Numbers
- Surface Area and Volume
- Trigonometric Principles
Class 11: Mathematics:
- Number Theory
- Probability Theory
- Coordinate Geometry
- Polynomial Factorisation
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Quadratic Expressions and Equations
- Sequences and Series
Other Related Olympiad Exam
Frequently Asked Questions about PRMO (IOQM)
Q. Who conducts the IOQM?
A: The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), is organized by the Mathematics Teachers Association of India, MTA in close collaboration with the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE).
Q. What is the Difference Between IMO Levels 1 and 2?
The first level (PRMO) also called Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) is a preliminary screening test, while the second level (RMO) is a more advanced regional test. Both have different dates, with PRMO typically being the earliest stage.
Q. What is the IOQM?
A: The Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) is the first step in selecting the Indian team for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). It combines the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO) and the Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO).
Q. How do I register for the IOQM?
A: Registration for the IOQM can be done online through the official website. Candidates need to fill out the application form, upload all necessary documents and pay the registration fee.
Q. What is the registration fee for the IOQM?
A: The registration fee varies each year. It is best to check the official website for the most recent cost structure. The fee for each student is Rs 230.00 in 2024-25. You will need to pay this amount, from which Rs 20.00 will be retained by the registration centre to cover the costs of making student lists and printing admission tickets.
