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About PIMSO
The Philippine International Math and Science Olympics (PIMSO) is an annual competition in mathematics and science for students from kindergarten to Grade 12, organized by International Champions in Education (ICE), Inc. in the Philippines. Students can enter mathematics, science or both, and each grade up to Grade 10 has its own paper. The contest has a National Round run by partner organizers in each country and an International Round for students who qualify.
PIMSO past papers suit students who want regular competition practice from the very first school years, because there is a paper for almost every grade. This guide covers the PIMSO levels, the two subjects, the rounds, the PIMSO exam format and how to prepare.
Overview
PIMSO is run by International Champions in Education (ICE), Inc., an organization based in the Philippines that works with partner organizers abroad. Each partner registers students and runs the National Round in its own country. Countries that have taken part include the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Hong Kong, Macau and Uzbekistan. Partners include Fermat Education in Vietnam, SMO Education Group in Malaysia and Global Olympiads Academy in India.
The aim is to give students a regular, grade-by-grade challenge in both mathematics and science, with an international stage for the strongest performers.
PIMSO levels and grades
| Level | Grades | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | Kindergarten | Mathematics only (senior kindergarten) |
| Grade 1 to Grade 10 | Grade 1-10, one level per grade | One paper per grade, in both subjects |
| Senior Secondary | Grade 11-12 | One shared paper for Grades 11 and 12 |
Mathematics runs from kindergarten to Grade 12. Science starts at Grade 1, so there is no kindergarten science paper. Grade 11 and Grade 12 students sit the same Senior Secondary paper and are ranked together.
Subjects
PIMSO is one competition with two subjects, and both use the same levels and rounds.
- Mathematics. Topics include arithmetic and number theory, logical analysis, algebra, geometry and combinatorics. Questions are open-ended: students write the answer, there are no answer options.
- Science. Topics include biology, chemistry, physics, earth and environmental science, and space science. All questions are multiple choice.
A student may register for one subject or both. The two subjects are scored and ranked separately.
Rounds
| Round | Who takes it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National Round | All registered students in a country | Run by the national partner; in some countries online |
| International Round | Students who qualify from the National Round | Optional, with its own fees; held in the Philippines in recent seasons |
The qualifying rule for the International Round is set by the organizer and announced with each season. Attending it usually means travel and an extra fee, so families should check the details with their national partner.
PIMSO exam format and scoring
| Mathematics | Science | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 30 | 30 |
| Question type | Open-ended (write the answer) | Multiple choice |
| Marks per question | 5 | 5 |
| Wrong answers | No negative marking | No negative marking |
| Time | 90 minutes | 75 minutes |
| Calculator | Not allowed | Not allowed |
These figures come from PIMSO partner information. Some national partners adjust the details, for example a longer science time or a multiple-choice mathematics paper in the national stage, so read the rules from your own organizer.
Because there is no penalty for wrong answers, students should never leave a science question blank. In mathematics there are no options to guess from, so accuracy in the final calculation matters.
When is PIMSO held
The season runs over the school year. In recent seasons the National Round has been held around December in some countries, with the International Round in the Philippines around March. Dates differ between countries, and registration closes a few weeks before the National Round. Registration is done through the PIMSO partner in each country, either through schools or as individual students.
How to prepare with PIMSO past papers
- Practise the paper for your exact grade. Each grade has its own paper, so the difficulty follows the school year closely. Older students can try the next grade up as a stretch.
- For mathematics, train for writing answers, not choosing them. With 30 open-ended questions in 90 minutes you have about three minutes per question. Check units and the form of the answer, since there is no list of options to compare with.
- Learn the five maths topics on purpose. Number theory, logic, algebra, geometry and combinatorics all appear. Keep a list of mistakes by topic and revisit the weakest one each week.
- For science, answer every question. There is no negative marking, so an educated guess is always better than a blank.
- Read science questions slowly. Many questions describe a situation or a simple experiment. Underline what is being asked before looking at the options.
- Do full timed papers. Timing is part of the challenge, especially in science with 75 minutes for 30 questions.
On Edupiad you can practise the PIMSO papers we have online with a timer, get automatic marking and review each question after you submit. We do not have every year for every grade, and not every question comes with a worked solution.
Frequently asked questions
What grade is PIMSO for?
Mathematics is for kindergarten to Grade 12. Science is for Grade 1 to Grade 12. Grades 11 and 12 take one shared Senior Secondary paper.
Does PIMSO have negative marking?
No. Partner information states 5 marks per correct answer and no negative marking in both subjects.
Is the PIMSO math test multiple choice?
No. The international format uses 30 open-ended questions where students write the answer. The science test is multiple choice.
Can I enter both math and science?
Yes. Students can register for one subject or both, and each subject is ranked separately.
Where is the PIMSO International Round held?
In recent seasons it has been held in the Philippines. Check with your national partner for the current venue and dates.