The iOS 2026-27 exam is the International Olympiad of Science conducted by the Silverzone Foundation for students of Class 1 to Class 12. This exam checks how well a student understands science topics from CBSE, ICSE and other state boards. Along with science, the paper also tests reasoning skills and applied knowledge through a special Scholar’s Zone section. The International Olympiad of Science 2026-27 exam has three levels, and every student who wants to take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) part must register through their own school before August 31, 2026. Individual students cannot register on their own. The iOS exam dates for Level 1 are set for October 14, November 19 and December 8, 2026, and schools pick one of these dates for their students.
This exam gives students a real chance to test their science skills against lakhs of students from India and other countries. In this blog, you will find the exam dates, eligibility, pattern, syllabus, fees, results and the best ways to prepare for the iOS exam 2026-27.
Read More:
- Science Olympiad Exams 2026 – NSEB, NSEP, NSEC, IOAA, IBO, InChO, InPhO, INBO
- List of Olympiad Exams Conducted in India 2026-27 – Math & Science Olympiad Foundation
iOS 2026-27 Exam Overview
The iOS 2026-27 exam is held once every year by the Silverzone Foundation, and this session covers the academic year 2026-27. The exam is conducted only in English, and it checks students on their class-wise science syllabus along with reasoning and applied science questions. Schools that are registered with Silverzone Foundation can enrol their students, and the school itself picks the actual test date from the dates given for Level 1. There is no fee for a school to become a Silverzone centre, though a school usually needs about 20 students to register for smooth conduct of the exam. The exam runs across three levels, and only the strongest performers from Level 1 move ahead to Level 2 and then to Level 3, which is the international round held in Delhi.
The dates and fee information given in this blog is verified with the official Silverzone Foundation website (idioms website) as well as previous exam records which will be helpful for the students and their parents to plan their preparations accordingly. Silverzone has been conducting Olympiad exams for more than 10 years and the structure of the question papers remains more or less the same from year to year making preparations easier.
IOS Olympiad Highlights
| Particular | Details |
| Full Exam Name | International Olympiad of Science (iOS) |
| Conducted By | Silverzone Foundation |
| Class Eligible | Class 1 to Class 12 |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Medium of Exam | English |
| Exam Mode | Offline, through schools |
| Registration Mode | Through schools only, no individual entries |
| Last Date to Register | August 31, 2026 |
| Exam Fee | Rs. 125 per student |
| Primary Testing Focus | Science, Reasoning and Aptitude, Scholar’s Zone |
| Official Website | silverzone.org |
IOS Olympiad Exam Dates 2026-27
For all the students who are going to appear for the upcoming iOS exam 2026-27, they must check the exact dates below. There are three dates available for Level 1 on which the testing will take place and the school will select the date that suits you.
- Level 1, Exam Date 1: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
- Level 1, Exam Date 2: Thursday, November 19, 2026
- Level 1, Exam Date 3: Tuesday, December 8, 2026
- Last date to register: August 31, 2026
- Admit card release: About one to two weeks before the date chosen by your school
- Level 2 exam: Expected in February 2027
- Level 3 exam: Expected in May or June 2027, in New Delhi
How Many Levels Are There in iOS?
International Olympiad of Science 2026-27 exam is not a single exam. It is in three levels, where each level serves a different purpose and a different set of students.
Level 1: This is open to every student from Class 1 to Class 12. Any school registered with Silverzone can send its students for this round. This level checks basic understanding of the class science syllabus, reasoning and applied science.
Level 2: Only the top 1000 (ranks between 4 and 1003) rank holders from Level 1 with 50 per cent marks and more will be considered for this. At this level there is greater focus on problem-solving, and the concepts are tested at a higher level.
Level 3: The final, and most difficult, round. It is located in New Delhi and only the top scorers from Class 6 to 12 after Level 2 are selected for it. This level determines the toppers of the exam in the iOS 2026-27 exam internationally.
IOS Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026
Before you register, check the iOS 2026 eligibility criteria given below.
- Students studying in Class 1 to Class 12 in any school can apply for Level 1 of the iOS exam 2026-27.
- The school must be registered with the Silverzone Foundation before it can enter students for the exam.
- Individual students cannot enrol themselves. Registration is made entirely in schools.
- There is no minimum mark or past result needed to sit for Level 1.
- To move to Level 2, a student must rank between position 4 and 1003 in Level 1 and score at least 50 per cent marks. As long as the school enrols 100 students per class and that the individual obtains a minimum score of 75%.
- For Level 3, only the top rank holders of Level 2 from Class 6 to Class 12 are picked.
- The competition is open for students of all boards (CBSE, ICSE and State Board) as it is based on a common science syllabus.
IOS 2026 Application Process and Registration Fees
The iOS 2026 Application Process is straightforward and is conducted only via schools.
- Schools that want to take part must first register with the Silverzone Foundation. There is no charge for this school-level registration.
- Once registered, the school receives a prospectus with registration forms for its students.
- Interested students fill their details and submit the form to their school coordinator, not to Silverzone directly.
- The last date to complete registration for the Silverzone IOS Olympiad is August 31, 2026.
- The exam fee is collected by the school along with the registration form.
| Mode of Registration | Fee | Last Date |
| School, Offline | Rs. 125 per student | August 31, 2026 |
| Individual | Not accepted | Not applicable |
IOS 2026-27 Exam Pattern and Sectional Marking
Knowing the iOS 2026 Exam Pattern helps a student plan preparation the right way. The paper is a one-hour, objective-type test with multiple choice questions. The exact number of questions and total marks change slightly from class to class, but every paper is built around the same three sections. And there is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
| Class Group | Total Questions | Exam Duration | Total Marks | Key Sections Included |
| Classes 1 to 2 | 25 | 40 Minutes | 100 | Science, Scholar’s Zone, Reasoning and Aptitude |
| Classes 3 to 5 | 30 | 40 Minutes | 100 | Science, Reasoning & Aptitude, Scholar’s Zone |
| Classes 6 to 8 | 35 | 40 Minutes | 100 | Science, Reasoning & Aptitude, Scholar’s Zone |
| Classes 9 to 12 | 40 | 50 Minutes | 100 | Science (Physics/Chem/Bio/Math), Reasoning & Aptitude, Scholar’s Zone |
| Duration | For Class 1 to 8:40 Minutes and For Class 9 to 12:50 Minutes | |||
Note: The number of questions and weightage of units is slightly different for each class. The exact sample paper is normally provided to your school, so always check the sample paper with your coordinator.
Sections Covered in IOS Exam
| Section | What It Covers | Approx. Weightage |
| Science, Core Subject | Class syllabus topics from CBSE, ICSE or State Board | 60 to 65 per cent |
| Reasoning and Aptitude | Logical thinking and pattern-based questions | 20 to 25 per cent |
| Scholar’s Zone | Higher-order and application-based science questions | 20 to 25 per cent |
The question paper of the iOS exam 2026-27 is divided into three core sections:
- The first and biggest part covers Science, and this section is based directly on the science chapters taught in your class as per CBSE, ICSE or your State Board.
- The second section is Reasoning and Aptitude, which does not test book knowledge but checks how well a student can think logically and spot patterns.
- The third section is known as Scholar’s Zone, which is the most difficult part of the paper because it involves having to think outside of the textbook and how the student would apply information about science in real-life scenarios.
Note: The Science section has the highest weightage and should be given the maximum time (race against time phrase meaning) in preparation, but neglecting the Reasoning and Scholar’s Zone could lead to a loss of rank since in many cases, the last two sections decide on who advances to Level 2.
IOS 2026 Syllabus, Class-Wise
Students do not need any additional books as the iOS International Olympiad of Science Syllabus is in the same chapters as what is taught in school. Here are tier breaks to help you focus your revision.
| Class Tier | Section 1: Core Science Topics | Section 2: Reasoning Focus | Section 3: Scholar’s Zone |
| Junior Primary (Classes 1-2) | Living & Non-living Things, Plants & Animals, Human Body, Food & Clothes, Our Environment, My Family & Neighborhood, Safety Rules. | Basic logical, visual, and age-appropriate pattern reasoning. | High-level conceptual application of the same core science chapters. |
| Upper Primary (Classes 3-5) | Plant & Animal Kingdom, Human Body/Nutrition, Matter, Light & Sound, Work/Force/Energy, Environment & Natural Calamities, Rocks & Minerals. | Verbal & non-verbal logic, mathematical patterns, direction sense, and coding. | Advanced applied science and analytical problem-solving. |
| Middle School (Classes 6-8) | Food Components, Materials & Sorting, The Living World, Moving Things/People/Ideas, Natural Phenomena, Natural Resources. | Advanced logical deduction, series completion, data interpretation, and puzzles. | Complex multi-concept scientific reasoning questions. |
| Secondary (Classes 9-10) | Class 9: Matter, Atoms, Cells, Tissues, Motion, Gravitation, Work & Energy. Class 10: Chemical Reactions, Acids and Bases, Life Processes, Heredity, Light, Electricity. |
Strong analytical reasoning, critical thinking, visual-spatial reasoning. | Rigorous, multi-step scientific and computational application. |
| Senior Secondary (Classes 11-12) | PCM Stream: Advanced Physics, Chemistry, & Mathematics. PCB Stream: Advanced Physics, Chemistry, & Biology. |
Quantitative aptitude, verbal logic, and complex analytical reasoning. | Elite competitive exam-level (JEE/NEET style) conceptual questions. |
IOS Exam Results 2026-27
The iOS result 2026-27 for Level 1 is expected in January 2027, and it will be released online on the official Silverzone website, silverzone.org.
- Students need their enrolment number and other admit card details to check their score.
- The answer key usually comes out within 30 days of the exam, before the final result.
- Students who qualify Level 1 appear for Level 2, and that result is expected in March 2027.
- Level 3 is held in May or June 2027, and its result is expected around August or September 2027.
- Last year, for the 2025-26 session, Silverzone declared the Level 1 result on January 16, 2026, so students can expect a similar timeline this year.
IOS Awards and Recognition
Silverzone rewards students at many levels, not just (just in case definition) the top three ranks.
- International Rankings: Top rank holders across the world receive medals along with a Certificate of Excellence.
- Zonal Rankings: Students who top their zone receive Medals of Excellence.
- School Rankings: The best performers within a school, called Class Toppers, are also awarded medals if they score at least 50 percent marks.
- Every student who takes the exam gets a participation certificate showing their class, zonal, state and international rank along with their marks.
- Student Performance Report, SPR: This report will be given to each student and indicate the weak and strong topics so that they know in which topics they need to improve before the next exam/class test.
What’s Next After Clearing the iOS Exam?
Clearing a level of the iOS 2026-27 exam opens up more than just a certificate. It provides a clear direction of the next step.
- Qualifiers then progress onto to the next level, having a larger stage to compete nationally and internationally.
- A strong iOS rank adds real value to a student’s school profile and future applications.
- The Student Performance Report helps in choosing which science topics need more practice before board exams.
- Many students use their iOS preparation as a base for other science Olympiads and future competitive exams.
The exam even benefits students who are not eligible for Level 2 because it promotes exam temperament and a habit of applying science to real world questions.
Proven Strategies for Preparing for IOS 2026-27
- Refer your class textbook first as most questions are taken directly from the CBSE, ICSE or State Board Syllabus.
- Download sample papers and past year question papers from the official website, silverzone.org, and practice them often.
- Take at least two full-length mock tests before the exam to get used to the one-hour time limit.
- Concentrate on the reasoning and scholar’s zone parts as these are usually neglected and do have good marks.
- Keep a small notebook for formulas, diagrams and tricky topics for quick revision before the exam.
- Clear doubts with your teacher the same day they come up, instead of letting them pile up.
- Get enough sleep and take short breaks while studying, since a fresh mind remembers science concepts better.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): IOS 2026-27 Exam
Q1. When is the iOS 2026-27 exam?
Level 1 of the iOS exam 2026-27 will be held on October 14, November 19 or December 8, 2026, depending on the date chosen by your school.
Q2. What is the last date to register for iOS 2026-27?
The last date to register for the Silverzone IOS Olympiad is August 31, 2026, and registration happens only through schools.
Q3. Can students register for iOS on their own?
No. Individual registration is not accepted. Students must register through a school that is registered with the Silverzone Foundation.
Q4. What is the iOS exam fee?
The fee for the iOS exam 2026-27 is Rs. 125 per student for offline registration through schools.
Q5. When will the iOS result 2026-27 be declared?
The iOS result 2026-27 for Level 1 is expected in January 2027 on the official website, silverzone.org.
Q6. How many levels are there in the iOS exam?
The iOS exam has three levels. Level 1 is open to all, Level 2 is for top rank holders, and Level 3 is the international round held in New Delhi.
Written By: Saumya Sarin (Content Writer at Motion Education)
Reviewed By: Motion Education Foundation Team
Last Updated: September, 2026
