HKISO 2027 exam dates
Each row links to the organiser's original notice.
- Feb14Heat RoundHong Kong
Sunday, 14 Feb 2027
Register by 10 Jan 2027 (83 days left)Source: OCECUpdated 07 Oct 2026
118 days left - Jun19International FinalHong Kong
Saturday, 19 Jun 2027
Register by 25 Apr 2027 (188 days left)Source: OCECUpdated 07 Oct 2026
243 days left - Jun19243 days left
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About HKISO
The Hong Kong International Science Olympiad (HKISO) is an annual science competition for students from Grade 2 to Grade 12, organized by the Olympiad Champion Education Centre (OCEC) in Hong Kong. Each paper is a multiple-choice test that covers physics, biology, chemistry and integrated science in equal parts. Students first sit a Heat Round in their own country or region, and the top performers are invited to a Final Round in Singapore or Hong Kong, or online.
HKISO suits students who enjoy science at school and want a structured challenge with clear rules. Because the format and the four subject areas stay the same each year, HKISO past papers are the most direct way to prepare.
Overview
HKISO is run by OCEC, the Hong Kong organizer that also runs the Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad (HKIMO), the Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad (TIMO), Big Bay Bei (BBB) and a coding olympiad, HKICO. The official HKISO website states that the competition follows the Hong Kong school science syllabus closely and tests what students have learned at their own level, so it rewards solid understanding of the school curriculum rather than university topics.
Students register through an HKISO partner in their country or region, which also runs the Heat Round. Results for both rounds are published on the official site, with Heat and Final pages going back several seasons.
Besides the written paper, HKISO runs an optional Mini Experiment: students record a short video of 3 to 5 minutes on a set science topic and submit it online. It is judged on scientific knowledge (40%), creativity (30%) and presentation skills (30%), has its own awards, and does not affect the written test result.
Levels and grades
HKISO starts at Grade 2. There is no kindergarten or Grade 1 level. Each grade from Primary 2 to Secondary 3 has its own paper, and senior secondary students share one paper.
| Level | Grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 2 - Grade 6 | Grade 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | One paper per grade (Primary 2-6) |
| Grade 7 - Grade 9 | Grade 7, 8, 9 | One paper per grade (Secondary 1-3) |
| Senior Secondary | Grade 10-12 | One shared paper for the Senior Secondary Group |
Rounds
The official structure has two rounds: a Heat Round in each country and a Final Round. Some partners add a preliminary round before the Heat.
| Round | Who takes part | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Round | Registered students in countries that run it | Only in some countries; in Vietnam it is an online, proctored round |
| Heat Round | Registered students, or those who pass the Preliminary Round | Run by the local partner |
| Final Round | Top Heat Round performers | In Singapore or Hong Kong, with an online option |
In Vietnam, for example, the partner runs an online preliminary round supervised over video call, an in-person national round and then the international round.
Exam format and scoring
Both written rounds use five-option multiple-choice questions (A to E), split equally across the four subject areas.
| Round | Questions | Per area | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Round | 20 | 5 physics, 5 biology, 5 chemistry, 5 integrated science | 60 minutes |
| Final Round | 24 | 6 in each area | 75 minutes |
Scoring is the same in both rounds:
| Answer | Points |
|---|---|
| Correct | +2 |
| Blank | 0 |
| Wrong | -1 |
Papers are offered in English and in the student's regional language. Awards are given per grade by percentage: about the top 8% receive gold, the next 16% silver and the next 24% bronze, with merit and participation awards below that. Champion and runner-up prizes are also given in each grade.
When is it held
HKISO follows an academic-year cycle, and exact dates are announced each season by the partner in each country. The whole cycle, from any preliminary round to the Final, normally fits within one school year, with the Final Round towards the end of it. The Mini Experiment has its own submission deadline, published on the official site. Registration goes through the HKISO partner in your country or region, often via schools or learning centres.
How to prepare with past papers
- Think about the penalty. A wrong answer costs 1 point and a correct answer earns 2, so a pure guess among five options loses marks on average. Guess only when you can rule out at least two options.
- Cover all four areas. Each area carries the same weight, so a weak area such as chemistry costs as much as any other. Use past papers to find it.
- Practise integrated science. These questions mix ideas or ask you to read data, graphs and simple experiments. They often decide the final ranking.
- Keep to three minutes a question. Both rounds give about three minutes per question. Practise full papers in one sitting.
- Revise your school syllabus. Since the papers follow the school science curriculum, your textbook is the best base. Past papers show how the same ideas are tested.
- Practise the next grade. Papers are written per grade, so a paper one grade up is useful stretch practice before a Final.
On Edupiad you can take HKISO past papers online with a timer, get automatic marking and review each question afterwards. Available years and grades grow over time, and not every question has a written solution yet.
Frequently asked questions
What grade is HKISO for?
HKISO is for Grades 2 to 12. Grades 2 to 9 each have their own paper, and Grades 10 to 12 share one Senior Secondary paper. There is no kindergarten or Grade 1 level.
Does HKISO deduct points for wrong answers?
Yes. A correct answer earns 2 points, a blank answer 0 and a wrong answer loses 1 point, in both the Heat and Final Rounds.
What subjects are in HKISO?
Every paper covers physics, biology, chemistry and integrated science in equal numbers of questions.
Is HKISO hard?
HKISO is based on the school science syllabus, so a student who understands school science well can do well. The difficulty comes from mixed topics, the time limit and the penalty for wrong answers.
Do I have to do the Mini Experiment?
No. The Mini Experiment is an optional video project with its own awards. It does not change the score of the written test.