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Maths olympiad preparation for Class 7

Class 7 is a little work most days on the four olympiad areas: algebra, geometry, number theory and counting. IOQM opens next year, in Class 8, so this is the year to build what it needs. Problems to try are just below.

Try ten Class 7 problems

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

Class 7 sampleProblem 1 of 10

How many 4-digit numbers are there in all?

  2. 2 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 7

At Class 7, olympiad maths settles into four areas: algebra, geometry, number theory and counting (combinatorics). These are the same four areas the Indian olympiad path tests all the way to the International Mathematical Olympiad.

Class 7 cannot write IOQM yet; it opens in Class 8. The year is best spent building the foundation it needs.

Contests open to Class 7 in 2026-27

5 contests take Class 7 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 5-12 the SOF paper has 50 questions in four sections: Logical Reasoning (15), Mathematical Reasoning (20), Everyday Mathematics (10) and the Achievers Section (5, worth 3 marks each), 60 marks in 60 minutes.
    Who sits it
    Entry is through the school. The top 5% of each class at Level 1 sit Level 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, 30 questions at Class 7. 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: from Class 6, maths is 10 of the 60 marks.
    (source: Unified Council)

  • NMTC (National Mathematics Talent Contest)

    Association of Mathematics Teachers of India (AMTI). Classes 5 to 12.

    Next
    The 2026 screening test was on 30 August 2026 and the final is on 25 October 2026. The 2027 dates are not out yet.
    The paper
    A screening test, then a written final for the top students.
    Who sits it
    Class 7 sits the Sub-Junior (Kaprekar), for Class 7-8. Entry is through schools and AMTI centres.
    (source: Physics Wallah, Vedantu)

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

IOQM, RMO and INMO open in Class 8. Who can write IOQM.

A daily plan: 15 to 20 minutes a day

Olympiad guides for Class 6 to 8 say the same thing: build the foundation first, and keep a notebook of mistakes. (source: ioqm.in)

Monday to ThursdayProblems from one area (algebra, geometry, number theory or counting) until a new idea clicks.
FridayOne hard problem, written up in full sentences, even if the answer is a number.
SaturdayA timed section of an NMTC, Kangaroo or old IOQM paper.
SundayThe mistakes notebook, then redo last week’s misses without looking.

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. Guessing a formula instead of trying small cases

    Joining 7 points in pairs: try 3 points, then 4, and the pattern shows itself. Remembered formulas are misremembered under time.

  2. Sign slips in algebra

    Moving a term across the equals sign without changing its sign. Writing one step per line catches it.

  3. Negative numbers and squares

    −3 − 5 is given as −2, and −2² is read as 4. Saying “minus three, then five more below” and putting brackets where they belong fixes most of it.

  4. Multiplying to get the common multiple

    Divisible by 4 and by 6 is taken to mean divisible by 24. The smallest common multiple is 12, and 12, 36 and 60 are all missed by the quick answer.

Where Kiwimath fits

Class 7 starts at Level 4 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 4 topics: Algebra, Combinatorics, Geometry, Number Theory.

Questions parents ask

Which olympiad should a Class 7 child start with?

NMTC Sub-Junior and Math Kangaroo, with IOQM as the goal for next year. Class 7 is the year to build the foundation IOQM needs.

How many questions are in the SOF maths olympiad for Class 7?

50 questions for 60 marks, in four sections, in 60 minutes.

Can a Class 7 student write IOQM?

No. IOQM is only for students in Class 8 to 12 who also meet the birth-date rule. Class 6 and 7 is the time to prepare, not to sit it. The IOQM eligibility rule.

Does Kiwimath follow the SOF syllabus?

No. Kiwimath is not tied to one contest. Level 4 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?

15 to 20 minutes, most days. Short and regular works better than a long session once a week.

Class 7 starts at Level 4

Level 4 is for Class 7-8. 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 4 Free during early access.

  1. Level 1Class 1-2
  2. Level 2Class 3-4
  3. Level 3Class 5-6
  4. Start hereLevel 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. NMTC 2026 exam datePhysics Wallah (a guide; AMTI publishes dates through schools)
  8. NMTC exam detailsVedantu (a guide)
  9. IOQM preparation for Class 6-8ioqm.in
  10. How to prepare for a math olympiadBhanzu