Before jumping on the preparation tactics for Olympiads let’s get to know what Olympiads are all about. Olympiads are a kind of competitive exam, held across schools by various organizations across India and abroad from class 1 to 12.
These exams evaluate a student’s ability for conceptual learning. They also sharpen the reasoning, analytical, and problem-solving skills of a student from an early age. It is an objective-type exam with multiple-choice questions(MCQ).
It focuses on concept-based learning and logical thinking, which enhances the potential of a student which is necessary for the students to face the upcoming competitive exams in their lives.
The best thing about these exams is that they not only prepare the students for the other Olympiads or school board exams but also prepare them to face many other competitive exams and careers far ahead in life.
Many students may prefer to avoid participating in these Olympiads due to fear of rejection, but it is the responsibility of their parents and school teachers to motivate them to face these fears early on. This encourages the students to move out of their cocoons and ace the exams with flying colors. Now returning to the main topic of discussion —CLASS 10th MATH
OLYMPIAD…
- KNOW THE SYLLABUS
The first and most important step ahead of the preparation is getting acquainted with the Syllabus. Students must get familiarized with the subject, it will give them a head start with the preparation. The syllabus is quite vast as it is based on different curriculum including CBSE, ICSE/ISE, and various state boards.
The topics of the syllabus are completely suitable for the class curriculum. If you are planning to prepare and schedule your study plan for the Olympiad, then, it is required for you to make sure that you are well aware of the complete syllabus and the topics that fall into the category of most covered topics during previous years’ exams. Below is an overview of the syllabus of the Olympiad.
Math olympiad syllabus and pattern :
The exam paper is divided into four sections:-
- LOGICAL REASONING — This section refers to the concepts related to logic and reasoning such as patterns & classifications, non-verbal and verbal reasoning etc.
- MATHEMATICAL REASONING — This section comprises the core topics that can be solved using simple mathematical formulae. These topics are relevant to the student’s class.
- EVERYDAY MATHEMATICS — This section examines students’ Conceptual understanding of the topics covered in mathematical reasoning.
- ACHIEVER’S SECTION — This section requires deep thinking & application of one or more mathematical concepts.
* SYLLABUS *
- For section 1 — Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- For section 2 — *Real Numbers
*Polynomials
*Linear equation in Two Variables*
Quadratic Equation
*Arithmetic Progression*
Coordinate Geometry
*Triangles, Circles, Construction, Areas related to Circle, Surface Area and
Volumes.*
Introduction to Trigonometry, some applications of Trigonometry
*Statistics*
Probability
- For section 3 — It will be based on the syllabus of
section 2.
For section 4 — This covers higher-order thinking questions as per the syllabus of
section 2.
- UNDERSTAND THE LEVEL OF THE EXAM…
It is suggested to take note of the fact that this exam is different from the usual school exam. Better learning of concepts with a higher level of theoretical and practical knowledge is required. To understand the level of olympiad exams you should practice a few mock papers online as well as offline that will give you an insight on the topic weightage and the level of the exam.
Knowing the level of the exam certainly helps in boosting your confidence level where you can start preparing and practicing more vigorously for the Olympiad. If it is the first time for the aspirants going to an olympiad or if there has been any change in the rules, make sure to visit the website and know more about the math olympiad.
Also, it is important to solve and practice previous years’ papers in order to understand the pattern and difficulty level. You can also download a few pdfs for IMO Previous Year Papers with Answers here.
- UTILIZE TIME WISELY…
This exam demands a huge amount of effort from the participating candidates. Many of you must have heard this saying, “Time is Money” and it is true. Here, in this case, Time is a Reward for the students.
The students need to have good time management skills throughout the year while juggling between school boards as well as the Olympiad. Time management is very important for your preparation to be productive, starting your preparation well in advance will only enhance your performance.
Make a timetable and split up your time to practice all the concepts thoroughly. Keeping your motivation high throughout the preparation is extremely important. Stick to the timetable for the Math Olympiad. Practicing regularly and completing daily targets will give you an edge in the preparation and will boost up your confidence. It is also advisable to re-adjust your timetable to cover any backlog.
- KEEP YOUR CALM…
Stay away from unnecessary stress as it will only cloud your judgment during the olympiad. Declutter all the stress with short breaks while you study, this will enhance your analytical skills and help you prep up more efficiently for the Olympiad. Do not overthink, try to get some time for yourself as well.
This will help you introspect where you are lacking and where you need to put more effort to conquer your weak areas and triumph is yours. Pursue a hobby or go out to play to relax for a little while. The calmer you get, the better your performance will get, and your performance will drastically improve in the exams.