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Maths olympiad preparation for Class 1

Most Class 1 children do well with a few picture puzzles a day, read aloud together, and a grown-up asking “how did you know?”. Olympiad papers at this age are mostly patterns, shapes and turning questions, like the problems just below.

Try nine Class 1 problems

Stuck? Hints come one step at a time. Nothing is sent anywhere, and there is no sign-in.

Class 1 sampleProblem 1 of 9

Sita has ₹38. An eraser costs ₹19 and a toy costs ₹13. How much is left after buying both?

  2. 2 Strategy
  3. 3 Worked step

By , who makes Kiwimath. Dates and rules checked on against the organisers’ own pages (sources at the end).

What an olympiad asks at Class 1

At Class 1, olympiad papers ask a child to notice things: what comes next in a pattern, which shape is the odd one out, how many blocks are hidden behind the others, which way an arrow points after a turn. The sums are small; the thinking is careful reading and looking.

The SOF paper has a whole section on logical reasoning before it gets to school maths. Children who do well are usually the ones who read to the end of the question and check their choice.

Contests open to Class 1 in 2026-27

4 contests take Class 1 students this year. Most schools enter the first; the rest are worth a look if your child enjoyed the problems above.

  • SOF International Mathematics Olympiad

    Science Olympiad Foundation, through schools. Classes 1 to 12.

    Next
    Level 1 on 23 October, 26 November or 10 December 2026; the school picks one date.
    The paper
    For Classes 1-4 the SOF paper has 35 questions in four sections: Logical Reasoning (10), Mathematical Reasoning (10), Everyday Mathematics (10) and the Achievers Section (5, worth 2 marks each), 40 marks in 60 minutes.
    Who sits it
    Entry is through the school. There is no Level 2 for Classes 1 and 2.
    (source: Science Olympiad Foundation)

  • Math Kangaroo

    Math Kangaroo India, for the international Kangaroo contest. Classes 1 to 12.

    Next
    The 2027 contest runs 17 to 30 April 2027. Registration closes 31 March 2027.
    The paper
    90 minutes, multiple choice, 24 questions at Class 1. Puzzles more than sums.
    (source: Math Kangaroo India)

  • Unified International Mathematics Olympiad (UIMO)

    Unified Council. Classes 1 to 10.

    Next
    Final test 10 January 2027 (mock test 3 January 2027).
    The paper
    A maths-only paper.
    (source: Unified Council)

  • NSTSE

    Unified Council. Classes 1 to 10.

    Next
    Through schools in November and December 2026; the online test for students who register on their own is on 24 January 2027.
    The paper
    60 minutes. A science and maths paper, so maths is only part of it.
    (source: Unified Council)

New to Math Kangaroo? Its levels, format and how to prepare. To practise in its format, try Pre-Ecolier Kangaroo-style papers.

A daily plan: 10 minutes a day

At this age the goal is a child who likes a puzzle and reads the whole question. Speed can wait. (source: PW Store, Bhanzu)

Monday to FridayFive problems, read aloud together if reading is still slow. Stop while it is still fun.
SaturdayOne picture or pattern puzzle, talked through: “How did you know?”
SundayRest, or a game with numbers in it: dice, dominoes, shopping change.

In the last three weeks before a contest, swap one weekday for a timed section of that contest’s own sample paper, so the format holds no surprises on the day. More on this in our guide to daily maths practice for kids.

Mistakes children make at this age

  1. Answering before the question ends

    “Which of these is NOT a triangle?” is read as “Which is a triangle?”. Ask them to put a finger on the last word before choosing.

  2. Counting the same thing twice

    In a picture of dots or blocks, children lose their place and count one row again. Crossing off as they count fixes most of it.

  3. Taller means more

    Shown a tall thin glass and a short wide one, most six-year-olds say the tall one holds more. Pouring water from one into the other at home settles it better than any worksheet.

  4. Before and after mixed up

    “Which number comes just before 40?” gets the answer 41. Counting backwards aloud from 45, a few times a week, makes “before” as easy as “after”.

Where Kiwimath fits

Class 1 starts at Level 1 in Kiwimath. Each topic is a ladder of small skills: a right answer moves your child up a step, a wrong one brings another problem on the same idea when there is one, and a hint is always one tap away. A skill counts as mastered only after it has been solved without hints on two different days.

Level 1 topics: Mystery Numbers, Pattern Play, Think & Count, Sort It Out, Shape Spotters, Picture Puzzles, Numbers All Around, Number Hops.

Questions parents ask

Is Class 1 too early for a maths olympiad?

Not if the child enjoys it. The SOF International Mathematics Olympiad and Math Kangaroo both start at Class 1, and their papers are puzzles as much as sums. If practice stops being fun, stop for a week; at this age liking maths matters more than any rank.

Which olympiad should a Class 1 child start with?

The SOF International Mathematics Olympiad is the one most schools enter, so it is the easiest start. Math Kangaroo, in April, is more puzzle-like and a good second contest.

How many questions are in the SOF maths olympiad for Class 1?

35 questions for 40 marks, in four sections, in 60 minutes.

Does Kiwimath follow the SOF syllabus?

No. Kiwimath is not tied to one contest. Level 1 practises the kind of reasoning these papers share, and adapts to your child: a right answer moves them up a step, a wrong one brings another problem on the same idea when there is one. For a specific contest, add its own past papers in the last weeks.

How much time a day is enough?

10 minutes, most days. Short and regular works better than a long session once a week.

Class 1 starts at Level 1

Level 1 is for Class 1-2. If the first problems feel too easy or too hard, you can move up or down a level at any time; nothing is locked to a class.

Start at Level 1 Free during early access.

  1. Start hereLevel 1Class 1-2
  2. Level 2Class 3-4
  3. Level 3Class 5-6
  4. Level 4Class 7-8
  5. Level 5IOQM
  6. Level 6RMO
  7. Level 7INMO
  8. Level 8IMO: the summit

Sources

All checked on . Organisers change dates; if one of these differs from what your school tells you, trust the school and the organiser, and write to hello@kiwimaths.com so we can fix this page.

  1. International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)Science Olympiad Foundation (the organiser)
  2. IMO exam pattern 2026-27Vedantu (a guide; SOF does not print the section split on its page)
  3. Exam datesMath Kangaroo India (the organiser in India)
  4. Contest categories (questions and duration)Math Kangaroo India (the organiser in India)
  5. Exam schedule 2026-27Unified Council (the organiser)
  6. About NSTSEUnified Council (the organiser)
  7. How to prepare for maths olympiad for Class 3PW Store
  8. How to prepare for a math olympiadBhanzu