🔬 Science Olympiad · 2026-27
NSO is now ISO: SOF renamed the National Science Olympiad
From the 2026-27 session the Science Olympiad Foundation's National Science Olympiad (NSO) is called the International Science Olympiad (ISO). It is the same exam: the same sections, the same marks, the same hour. Only the name changed. ISO 2026-27 Level 1 is on 30 October, 19 November and 3 December 2026.
What changed, and what did not
| Before 2026-27 | From 2026-27 | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | National Science Olympiad | International Science Olympiad |
| Short name | NSO | ISO |
| SOF's page | sofworld.org/nso | sofworld.org/iso (the old address now leads there) |
| Sections | Logical Reasoning, Science, Achievers Section — unchanged | |
| Paper | Classes 1–4: 35 questions, 40 marks · Classes 5 and up: 50 questions, 60 marks · 60 minutes — unchanged | |
Books, past papers and school circulars printed before the rename still say NSO, and are still practice for the same exam. Search for both names when you look for material.
ISO by class
Each class's syllabus, paper pattern and sample questions, and a full mock test to sit free.
ISO Class 1
ISO Class 2
ISO Class 3
ISO Class 4
ISO Class 5
ISO Class 6
ISO Class 7
Questions parents ask
- Is NSO the same exam as ISO?
- Yes. From the 2026-27 session SOF calls its National Science Olympiad (NSO) the International Science Olympiad (ISO). Papers and results now say ISO; the sections are the same — Logical Reasoning, Science and the Achievers Section.
- Are NSO books and past papers still useful for ISO?
- Yes. They were written for the same exam under its old name. Check that the class and the paper pattern match: Classes 1 to 4 sit 35 questions for 40 marks, Classes 5 and up sit 50 for 60.
- When is the ISO 2026-27 exam?
- SOF holds ISO Level 1 on 30 October, 19 November and 3 December 2026. The school picks one date.