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Maths olympiad preparation for Class 8

Class 8 is the first year your child may write IOQM: 30 questions, 3 hours, every answer a whole number from 0 to 99. Prepare with a little work most days on algebra, geometry, number theory and counting. Problems to try are just below.

Try ten Class 8 problems

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Class 8 sampleProblem 1 of 10

Today is day 0 of the week (a 7-day cycle). What is the remainder of 100 divided by 7 (which weekday number it lands on)?

  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 8

At Class 8, 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 8 is the first year a student may write IOQM, the first round of that path: 30 questions, 3 hours, every answer a whole number from 0 to 99.

Contests open to Class 8 in 2026-27

Class 8 students can enter 6 contests this year; RMO, INMO and the IMO follow only for those who do well in IOQM. 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 8. 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 8 sits the Sub-Junior (Kaprekar), for Class 7-8. Entry is through schools and AMTI centres.
    (source: Physics Wallah, Vedantu)

  • IOQM (Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics)

    MTA(I) for HBCSE: the first round of the path to the International Mathematical Olympiad. Classes 8 to 12.

    Next
    IOQM 2026 was held on 6 September 2026. IOQM 2027 has not been announced yet.
    The paper
    3 hours, 30 questions, 100 marks. Every answer is a whole number from 0 to 99. No negative marking.
    Who sits it
    Born between 1 August 2007 and 31 July 2014 and studying in Class 8 to 12 (the 2026 rule).
    (source: HBCSE, MTA(I) and HBCSE, MTA(I))

  • RMO (Regional Mathematical Olympiad)

    HBCSE, by region. Classes 8 to 12.

    Next
    Sunday 15 November 2026, 1 pm to 4 pm.
    The paper
    3 hours, 6 problems, 17 marks each. Every answer is a written proof.
    Who sits it
    By invitation, from the IOQM results.
    (source: HBCSE)

  • INMO (Indian National Mathematical Olympiad)

    HBCSE. Classes 8 to 12.

    Next
    Sunday 17 January 2027, 12 noon to 4:30 pm.
    The paper
    4½ hours, 6 problems, 17 marks each. Written proofs.
    Who sits it
    By invitation, from the RMO results (and last year’s INMO awardees).
    (source: HBCSE)

  • International Mathematical Olympiad

    The IMO Board; India’s team of six is chosen by HBCSE at a training camp. Classes 8 to 12.

    Next
    The 68th IMO is in Budapest, Hungary, 16 to 26 July 2027.
    The paper
    Two days, three problems a day, 4½ hours each day.
    Who sits it
    Through IOQM, RMO, INMO and the training camp in April and May.
    (source: International Mathematical Olympiad, HBCSE)

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

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 half of an old IOQM paper (15 questions, 90 minutes).
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. Off by one when counting

    How many numbers from 1 to 90 are divisible by 6? Fifteen. Children who divide and then add or subtract one “to be safe” lose easy marks.

  2. No figure for a geometry problem

    A rough sketch with the given lengths marked turns half of geometry questions into something you can see.

  3. Not checking the answer can be right

    Every IOQM answer is a whole number from 0 to 99. A working that ends in 7.5 or 140 has gone wrong somewhere, and that is worth knowing before moving on.

  4. Stopping at the first value that works

    “Find every n such that …” Finding n = 3 and stopping loses the question. Asking “why can there be no others?” is where the real work starts.

Where Kiwimath fits

Class 8 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 8 child start with?

IOQM. It is the first round of the path to the International Mathematical Olympiad, and Class 8 is the first year a child may sit it.

How many questions are in the SOF maths olympiad for Class 8?

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

Can a Class 8 student really do well in IOQM?

Class 8 students may sit it, and the RMO selection puts Classes 8 to 11 in the same group (Category A). The paper is hard for everyone; for a Class 8 student the first attempt is also practice for the next four years. How IOQM works.

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 8 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. Mathematical Olympiads 2026-2027 brochureHBCSE (the organiser)
  10. Eligibility criteria for IOQM 2026 (PDF)MTA(I) and HBCSE (the organisers)
  11. IOQM 2026-2027MTA(I) (runs the IOQM paper)
  12. Criteria for qualification from IOQM 2026 to RMO 2026 (PDF)HBCSE (the organiser)
  13. Criteria for qualification from RMO 2026 to INMO 2027 (PDF)HBCSE (the organiser)
  14. IMO 2027International Mathematical Olympiad (official site)
  15. IOQM preparation for Class 6-8ioqm.in
  16. How to prepare for a math olympiadBhanzu