Mawhiba Maths and Science Olympiads: 2026 Student Guide
Love solving a Maths puzzle or finding out why something happens in Science? Mawhiba, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, gives gifted learners opportunities to explore those interests. Its national Science and Mathematics pathway, scientific research projects, Kangaroo Maths and Bebras Informatics offer different kinds of challenges.
This guide helps students, parents and teachers choose the right programme, understand school registration, discover official preparation materials and enjoy 20 original Maths, Science and reasoning questions with explanations. You can try the learning activities even if you’re not entering a competition this year.
Choose a Mawhiba Programme That Matches Your Interests
There is more than one Mawhiba competition. The National Gifted Olympiad combines two pathways: Scientific Track (NSMO) for subject-based Science and Maths and Research Track (Ibdaa) for original projects.
| Programme | What pupils do | Official starting point |
|---|---|---|
| NSMO — National Science and Mathematics Olympiad | Solve Maths, Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Informatics questions through school-led qualification, assessment and training | School coordinator registration service |
| Ibdaa — Scientific Creativity | Design and investigate an individual Science or engineering research project in one of 22 research fields | Research Track programme and project portal |
| Kangaroo Mawhiba | Enjoy Maths patterns and logical-thinking challenges from third primary to final secondary grade | Kangaroo service — registration currently closed |
| Bebras Mawhiba | Develop Informatics and computational thinking from third primary to final secondary grade | Bebras registration and sample questions |
According to Mawhiba, the National Gifted Olympiad tracks are free. Kangaroo and Bebras are separate competitions whose pages list a SAR 60 parent contribution each. Use the correct official service when checking availability and payment.
How to Join the Scientific Track (NSMO)
The NSMO pathway targets eligible Saudi pupils in middle school and first-year secondary school, with particular Maths, Science and related subject streams for specific grades. Schools in Saudi public, private and international education can nominate eligible Saudi learners. It is not a general individual online exam checkout.
| Step | What happens | Who helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ask your teacher | Speak to your Maths or Science teacher about your interests | Class teacher or school Mawhiba coordinator |
| 2. Confirm eligibility | Check the student’s current grade and the subject stream available at school | School coordinator |
| 3. School enrolment | School and education coordinators use the official Mawhiba registration system | Authorised coordinator |
| 4. Learn and be assessed | Complete the organiser’s assessments, followed by training where selected | School and Mawhiba team |
| 5. Progress further | Qualified finalists may move toward national-team training | Mawhiba programme leaders |
Mawhiba describes a journey through school registration, online assessment, national-team assessment, central training and finals. For more advanced international selection, students must continue passing the appropriate programme tests. You do not need to promise medals or scholarships to make these learning experiences worthwhile.
Scientific Track or Research Track: What’s the Difference?
| Scientific Track — NSMO | Research Track — Ibdaa |
|---|---|
| Subject problems in Maths, Science and Informatics | Individual research projects in Science and engineering |
| School coordinator starts registration | Research form, project information and approved supervisor |
| Assessment and specialist subject training | Planning an investigation, recording evidence and presenting a project |
| Possible progression toward international subject Olympiads | Possible progression toward international Science fairs such as ISEF |
If you’re unsure, ask: Do I enjoy solving unfamiliar subject questions, or do I want to develop my own investigation? Some motivated students may be eligible to explore both tracks, subject to their respective requirements.
2026 Competition Dates and Next Actions
| Mawhiba opportunity | Latest official information | Suggested action |
|---|---|---|
| Ibdaa, Research Track | The service currently lists a 28 October 2026 Phase Two project-information deadline. The programme overview describes an earlier initial registration period. | Existing participants should review the Phase Two form and supervisor guidance; it is not necessarily new enrolment |
| Bebras Informatics | Registration is listed through 26 November 2026, with a SAR 60 contribution for qualifying students. | Explore the Bebras service and official sample questions |
| Kangaroo Maths | The official service currently shows registration closed and its usual SAR 60 contribution. | Watch Kangaroo Mawhiba for the next round and enjoy practice puzzles meanwhile |
| NSMO Scientific Track | The registration route is through schools and authorised coordinators; competition stages differ from individual Bebras or Kangaroo entries. | Contact your school’s Mawhiba coordinator |
For families, the programme name and the current registration stage are more useful than an old deadline copied from a previous year. The research-project Phase Two form and the Science Olympiad school-nomination route are not interchangeable.
2026 NSMO Scientific Track update: Mawhiba held its first-stage remote assessments from 18 to 22 October 2026, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Saudi Arabia time, with Physics and Science on 18 October, Biology on 19 October, Chemistry on 20 October, Mathematics levels 1 and 2 on 21 October, and Informatics levels 1 and 2 on 22 October. These dates are past assessment dates, not an open registration window. If your school nominated you, ask your school coordinator about the next official instructions. You can review the Mawhiba NSMO first-stage timetable.
Find the Right Maths and Science Study Materials
Mawhiba publishes first-stage subject packs on its National Gifted Olympiad page, including junior and senior Mathematics and Informatics, Science, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Those official resources are the best starting point for students preparing for the Scientific Track.
| Learning stage | Maths topics you can practise | Science ideas to explore |
|---|---|---|
| Younger school learners | Patterns, fractions, area, measuring and organised counting | Water, plants, shadows, magnets and careful observations |
| Middle-school learners | Ratios, algebra, geometry, probability and reasoning | Cells, simple chemical reactions, forces, light and fair testing |
| First-year secondary learners | More complex algebra, mathematical proofs and logical strategies | Quantitative Physics, Chemistry, Biology and interpreting experimental data |
| Advanced candidates | Competition-specific study packs and trainer-guided questions | Deep subject knowledge, experimental reasoning and careful use of models |
These are suggested learning topics, not Mawhiba’s official grade-by-grade syllabus. The grade-specific lists in the earlier article were general subject ideas; families should use the competition’s own 2026 pack for an accurate preparation plan.
Three Worked Maths and Science Examples
1. Recognise a growing sequence
Look at 3, 8, 15, 24, 35. The differences are five, seven, nine and eleven. Since the differences increase by two, add thirteen to thirty-five to reach 48. Writing the gaps is more useful than guessing from the largest number.
2. Design a fair plant investigation
To compare two seedlings grown under different amounts of light, keep the plant type, water and soil as similar as possible. Measure height at the same times and repeat the test. Students can explain which observations support their conclusion and what else might have affected the result.
3. Show what a calculation means
A toy moves twenty-four metres in four seconds. Its average speed is 24 ÷ 4 = 6 metres per second. The unit tells us what the number describes: the average distance travelled during each second.
Try 20 Original Olympiad-Style Questions
These are original learning questions, ranging from familiar number puzzles to more advanced Science and computing logic. They are not reproductions of actual NSMO, Kangaroo, Bebras or Ibdaa examination papers. Work through a few first, then check the explanations and discuss any mistakes.
Question 1 — Number patterns
What is the next number: 4, 9, 14, 19, __?
A. 24 | B. 25 | C. 23 | D. 29
Answer: A. 24. Add five each time: nineteen plus five makes twenty-four.
Question 2 — Fractions
One-quarter of 36 cards is how many cards?
A. 6 | B. 9 | C. 12 | D. 18
Answer: B. 9. Divide thirty-six by four to get nine cards in each equal group.
Question 3 — Measurement
A rectangle is 7 m by 4 m. Find its perimeter.
A. 11 m | B. 28 m | C. 22 m | D. 14 m
Answer: C. 22 m. Perimeter is the sum of all four outside sides: 7 + 4 + 7 + 4 = 22 metres.
Question 4 — Arrangements
How many orders are there for three different books on a shelf?
A. 3 | B. 9 | C. 12 | D. 6
Answer: D. 6. Three choices for the first book, two for the second and one for the last make six orders.
Question 5 — Geometry
A triangle has two angles of 50° and 65°. Find the third angle.
A. 65° | B. 75° | C. 85° | D. 55°
Answer: A. 65°. The three angles total 180°, so 180 − 50 − 65 = 65 degrees.
Question 6 — Algebra
If 3x + 5 = 26, what is x?
A. 5 | B. 7 | C. 9 | D. 11
Answer: B. 7. Subtract five to give 3x = 21; divide by three and x = 7.
Question 7 — Sequences
Continue 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, __.
A. 38 | B. 40 | C. 42 | D. 44
Answer: C. 42. The gaps are 4, 6, 8 and 10; the next gap is 12, giving 42.
Question 8 — Probability
A bag has three blue counters and one yellow. Chance of one yellow draw?
A. 1/2 | B. 3/4 | C. 1/3 | D. 1/4
Answer: D. 1/4. One of the four equally likely counters is yellow, so the probability is 1/4.
Question 9 — Plant science
Which part of a typical land plant takes in water from soil?
A. Roots | B. Petals | C. Fruit | D. Flowers
Answer: A. Roots. Roots absorb water and dissolved nutrients, helping plants grow and remain anchored.
Question 10 — Condensation
Which observation is condensation?
A. Ice melting | B. Water vapour forming liquid on a cool window | C. Sand sinking | D. Salt dissolving
Answer: B. Water vapour forming liquid on a cool window. Water vapour changes into tiny liquid droplets on a sufficiently cool surface.
Question 11 — Fair tests
What should be similar when testing how sunlight affects seedlings?
A. Sunlight amount | B. The day of the week | C. Water and seedling type | D. Notebook colour
Answer: C. Water and seedling type. Keep water and plant type similar so differences can more meaningfully relate to sunlight.
Question 12 — Safety
How can you study shadows safely at home?
A. Open mains wiring | B. A flame near paper | C. Stare at the Sun | D. A battery torch and toy
Answer: D. A battery torch and toy. A low-power battery torch avoids the fire, laser and exposed-electricity hazards.
Question 13 — Motion
A toy travels 30 metres in five seconds. Find average speed.
A. 6 m/s | B. 25 m/s | C. 35 m/s | D. 150 m/s
Answer: A. 6 m/s. Average speed is distance divided by time: 30 ÷ 5 = 6 metres per second.
Question 14 — Chemistry
Which equation for water formation is balanced?
A. H₂ + O₂ → H₂O | B. 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O | C. H₂ + 2O₂ → 2H₂O | D. 2H₂ + 2O₂ → H₂O
Answer: B. 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O. The balanced equation has four hydrogen and two oxygen atoms on each side.
Question 15 — DNA biology
Which base normally pairs with adenine in DNA?
A. Cytosine | B. Guanine | C. Thymine | D. Uracil
Answer: C. Thymine. Adenine pairs with thymine in DNA; uracil appears instead in RNA.
Question 16 — Electricity
A 12 V source is connected across a 4 Ω resistor. Find ideal current.
A. 48 A | B. 16 A | C. 8 A | D. 3 A
Answer: D. 3 A. Ohm’s law says I = V/R. Twelve volts divided by four ohms gives 3 amperes.
Question 17 — Scientific data
A plant increases from 7 cm to 12 cm. How much has it grown?
A. 5 cm | B. 7 cm | C. 12 cm | D. 19 cm
Answer: A. 5 cm. Subtract the starting height from the final height: 12 − 7 = 5 cm.
Question 18 — Investigation
Which action helps evaluate whether an experimental result is reliable?
A. Change all factors at once | B. Repeat and record the tests | C. Report only expected results | D. Ignore measurements
Answer: B. Repeat and record the tests. Repeating a fair investigation and recording the results helps judge consistency.
Question 19 — Computing logic
A rule doubles the input then subtracts three. Find the output for eight.
A. 5 | B. 10 | C. 13 | D. 16
Answer: C. 13. Double eight to get sixteen, then subtract three to obtain thirteen.
Question 20 — Scientific evidence
Which statement best supports a scientific conclusion?
A. ‘I like it.’ | B. ‘Everyone agrees.’ | C. ‘It must be true.’ | D. ‘Three measured samples showed a similar trend.’
Answer: D. ‘Three measured samples showed a similar trend.’. Using actual measurements across samples makes an explanation more testable.
A Four-Week Learning Plan for Students
| Week | Goal | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 — Understand | Pick your subject and read its learning topics | Attempt a small number of untimed questions and explain a basic idea |
| Week 2 — Represent | Use diagrams, tables, equations and safe observations | Solve one problem in two different ways and check the result |
| Week 3 — Apply | Try a fresh challenge and review an official subject pack | Ask why each answer fits and what made other options less suitable |
| Week 4 — Reflect | Use mistakes to plan the next learning step | Revisit a difficult idea and attempt a different question of the same type |
Enjoy learning with regular breaks. Students who grow confident explaining their reasoning will be better prepared to approach an unfamiliar problem, whether or not they enter a competition.
From National Qualification to International Olympiads
Mawhiba’s International Olympiad Programme describes how successful national qualifiers may progress through training camps, advanced assessments and final national-team selections. The international-team pathway commonly covers Grades 8–12, depending on the scientific discipline.
Students may learn with specialists in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Informatics. In the Research Track, selected scientific projects can advance toward international fairs. Reaching either stage takes more than registering for a single competition; every stage has its own selection requirements.
School Connect Olympiad and Mawhiba Are Separate
School Connect Olympiad (SCO) is an independent school competition offering Maths, Science, English and other class-wise resources. Interested learners can explore the SCO Maths or SCO Science subject directories for additional questions suited to their grade. It is not an official registration or qualification route into Mawhiba’s national programmes or Saudi teams.
The older version of this blog compared the two organisers as though participation in one automatically prepared students for the other. It is more helpful to start from Mawhiba’s own subject study packs and use optional extra materials only when the topics match. For separate SCO participation, check the current registration and included resources before paying.
Official Resources for Saudi Students and Teachers
| Resource | Why it is useful |
|---|---|
| Mawhiba National Gifted Olympiad | Understand the two tracks and open the official first-stage scientific packs |
| NSMO registration service | Find the school coordinator pathway into national Science and Maths |
| Ibdaa Research Track | Check individual research project submissions and current stage details |
| Kangaroo Mawhiba | Find Mathematics challenge information and upcoming registration announcements |
| Bebras Mawhiba | Review computational thinking questions and registration information |
| Mawhiba international teams | Understand advanced training and international qualification |
| Saudi Arabia learning articles | Find other country-focused educational reading and optional practice guides |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mawhiba Science and Mathematics Olympiad?
It is the NSMO Scientific Track of Saudi Arabia’s National Gifted Olympiad, with Maths and Science assessments and staged training.
Can parents enrol students directly in NSMO?
Schools and authorised education coordinators manage the official Scientific Track registration. Speak to the school’s Mawhiba coordinator.
Who is eligible for NSMO?
It targets eligible Saudi pupils in selected middle-school and first-year secondary streams. School coordinators should confirm exact current grade and discipline rules.
What is the difference between NSMO and Ibdaa?
NSMO emphasises Maths and Science subject problems; Ibdaa emphasises individual research and engineering projects.
Are the two National Gifted Olympiad tracks free?
Yes. Mawhiba says the Scientific and Research Tracks are free. Kangaroo and Bebras have separate SAR 60 parent contributions.
Is October 28 a new-student registration deadline for Ibdaa?
The current service labels that date for Phase Two project information. It should not be confused with an earlier initial entry period.
Can Grade 3 students enter Kangaroo or Bebras?
Their competition pages include third primary through final secondary, subject to school location, payment and current eligibility rules.
Is Kangaroo registration currently open?
Its official page currently shows registration closed. Students can follow the next announcement and enjoy practice questions in the meantime.
How do selected students reach international teams?
They progress through national assessments and advanced training camps and must meet further selection requirements.
Does School Connect Olympiad qualify someone for Mawhiba?
No official affiliation or qualification route has been established. SCO is independent of Saudi national-team selection.
Enjoy the Journey of Scientific Discovery
Choose a subject you love, try one question that makes you think and discuss your explanation with a teacher or friend. Explore Mawhiba’s official competition resources when you are ready for more. Great scientific thinking begins with curiosity, careful reasoning and a willingness to learn from a new idea.
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