Students and families in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) can explore mathematics, science and informatics Olympiads through different organisers. But where should a child begin, and which programme fits their school level? This 2026 guide introduces Korea’s official subject Olympiads, explains how the independent School Connect Olympiad (SCO) differs, and offers free learning links, an age-based study plan and 20 original solved questions. The aim is to build curiosity and clear reasoning—not simply collect exam registrations.
Why do Olympiad-style problems matter for Korean students?
Working on an unfamiliar problem helps students practise planning, logical explanation and evidence-based thinking. Schoolwork and olympiad-style practice can complement one another when the difficulty is right for the child. The South Korean Ministry of Education describes a 6–3–3 school structure: six years of elementary school, three of middle school and three of high school. Families should match the actual Korean school year to each competition’s eligibility rules.
- Elementary learners: counting, shapes, arithmetic, stories, observation and playful patterns.
- Middle-school learners: fractions, equations, geometry, science experiments, data reasoning and beginner algorithms.
- High-school learners: advanced mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and algorithmic problem-solving according to the selected subject.
- All ages: explain how an answer was found, practise responsibly and keep personal information secure when registering.
Korea’s official Olympiad competitions and information sources
International Mathematical Olympiad: South Korea’s 2026 performance
At the 67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2026, the Republic of Korea placed sixth among 117 teams, with 167 points, three gold medals, two silver medals and one honourable mention. The official Korean country profile provides results history and the national mathematics-olympiad contact. These were achievements of nationally selected students, not SCO participants entering through an SCO examination.
For advanced mathematical practice, the official IMO problems archive contains genuine previous contest problems. They require substantial background in problem-solving and proof; young students should build arithmetic and geometry confidence first.
Korean Olympiad in Informatics (KOI): coding and algorithms
The Korean Olympiad in Informatics (한국정보올림피아드, KOI) organises informatics competitions with its own entry requirements and problem archive. Its official 2026 schedule lists the first round on 10 May, the second round on 18 July and the second-round final results on 4 August. Those rounds are already complete as of October 2026; students should consult the official site for the next cycle rather than apply through an old event link.
The KOI notice board and past competitions section help learners find official updates, problem statements and explanations. Advanced informatics contests test algorithms and programming; a beginner class-level Coding Olympiad uses different expectations.
Korea Junior Science Olympiad (KJSO): investigate and understand science
The Korea Junior Science Olympiad (한국중등과학올림피아드, KJSO) uses staged learning and selection in physics, chemistry and biology to prepare suitable students for the International Junior Science Olympiad. Its official programme overview describes education and selection stages. The site carried 2027 programme stage-two notices dated 2 October 2026. Parents should follow those current official announcements for eligibility and later stages.
Korean Chemistry and Physics Olympiads
The Korean Chemical Society’s Olympiad website publishes 2026 high-school Chemistry Olympiad and middle-school chemistry competition information. The Korean Physics Olympiad website also publishes its own training and competition notices, including a notice for a 12 December 2026 winter-school entrance examination. Each subject has its own academic and registration requirements.
For a child who enjoys a specific scientific subject, the best starting point is the relevant organiser’s real syllabus and age limits, rather than assuming all Korean Olympiads have one shared exam.
School Connect Olympiad for students in Korea
School Connect Olympiad independently offers subjects such as Mathematics, Science, English, Coding and Artificial Intelligence, with subject-specific class ranges. SCO is not the Korean national-team selection organisation for IMO, IOI or international junior science contests.
The core SCO learning resources are free chapter-wise materials, linked educational videos and practice questions, which are continually updated and improved. The earlier paid Learn, Grow and Compete subscriptions are discontinued, and they are not required to use these free learning chapters. Exam registration is separate.
International-school families should confirm their student’s grade and the relevant SCO syllabus. For example, an elementary pupil might start with free Class 3 Maths chapters or free Class 4 Science chapters, while an older student can choose the matching school level and subject. These learning labels are not a claim that the SCO curriculum is the Korean national curriculum.
What to study at each Korean school level
- Elementary grades 1–3: basic arithmetic, number patterns, observations about plants and weather, and reading comprehension.
- Elementary grades 4–6: fractions, perimeter, simple experiments, computer instructions and careful data recording.
- Middle-school grades 7–9: algebraic thinking, geometry, basic physics and chemistry, fair experiments, patterns and programming logic.
- High-school grades 10–12: proofs and advanced reasoning in mathematics, more formal science topics and algorithms at the level of the selected subject.
Three activities that build Olympiad problem-solving skills
Activity 1: Plan a fair science test
With adult or teacher supervision, compare how equal-sized pieces of safe paper absorb a teaspoon of room-temperature water. Keep the amount of water similar for each piece, observe what changes and record the result in a chart. Discuss why one test does not prove what every type of paper will do.
Activity 2: Solve a pattern and explain the rule
Try 4, 8, 12, 16, … A child might predict 20 because the numbers increase by four. Ask whether a different rule could fit the same first numbers. Discuss what additional information would make the intended pattern clearer.
Activity 3: Make an algorithm for a paper maze
Draw a small grid with a starting square and a library square. Write steps such as “right, right, up” to reach the goal. Look for repeated instructions that a loop could shorten. Ask a friend to follow the exact steps and describe any mistakes. This is a coding activity that requires no software or personal account.
Twenty original Olympiad practice questions for Korean students
The questions below help learners practise reasoning across maths, science, English and computing. They are newly written examples—not questions from KOI, KJSO, the official IMO, or School Connect’s previous examinations. Choose the age group that suits the child and use the explanations to understand the method.
Elementary maths practice
Question 1. A class makes 6 rows of 4 paper stars. How many stars are there?
A. 24 B. 10 C. 20 D. 28
Answer: A. 24. There are 6 groups of 4: 6 × 4 = 24 stars.
Question 2. A fictional library has 125 books and receives 35 new books. What is the total?
A. 150 B. 160 C. 165 D. 170
Answer: B. 160. Add 125 + 35 = 160 books. The values are classroom examples.
Elementary science practice
Question 3. What helps green plants make their own food?
A. Plastic B. Loud music C. Light D. Paint
Answer: C. Light. Light energy is used in photosynthesis, together with water and carbon dioxide.
Elementary reasoning practice
Question 4. Continue the pattern: 3, 6, 9, 12, …
A. 13 B. 14 C. 18 D. 15
Answer: D. 15. The pattern adds 3 each time, so 12 + 3 = 15.
Elementary English practice
Question 5. Which sentence is correctly written?
A. My friend likes books. B. my friend likes books. C. My friend likes books D. my Friend likes books.
Answer: A. My friend likes books.. A statement begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.
Middle-school maths practice
Question 6. What is 3/5 of 40?
A. 20 B. 24 C. 28 D. 32
Answer: B. 24. One fifth of 40 is 8, so three fifths is 3 × 8 = 24.
Question 7. A rectangle measures 9 cm by 4 cm. What is its perimeter?
A. 13 cm B. 36 cm C. 26 cm D. 40 cm
Answer: C. 26 cm. Add its four sides: 9 + 4 + 9 + 4 = 26 cm.
Middle-school science practice
Question 8. In a fair plant-growth test, which factor should you change if testing the effect of light?
A. Plant type, soil and water all together B. All plant positions randomly C. Only the final measurement D. Amount of light, while keeping other conditions similar
Answer: D. Amount of light, while keeping other conditions similar. Vary the amount of light and keep other important conditions similar.
Middle-school coding practice
Question 9. A program repeats ‘print X’ four times. How many X characters are printed?
A. 4 B. 3 C. 5 D. 8
Answer: A. 4. The statement inside a loop runs four times.
Middle-school biology practice
Question 10. What is the main role of plant roots?
A. Producing most flowers B. Absorbing water and anchoring the plant C. Making clouds D. Producing electrical current
Answer: B. Absorbing water and anchoring the plant. Roots absorb water and minerals from soil and anchor many plants.
Middle-school data practice
Question 11. Five students choose maths and nine choose science in an invented survey. How many more choose science?
A. 5 B. 9 C. 4 D. 14
Answer: C. 4. Subtract 5 from 9: four more students chose science.
Middle-school safety practice
Question 12. A website asks a student to publish their home address for an exam. What is safest?
A. Post it immediately B. Send it to strangers C. Assume it is compulsory D. Ask a trusted adult and use only a verified organiser’s secure process
Answer: D. Ask a trusted adult and use only a verified organiser’s secure process. Personal information should be protected; a trusted adult should check the official organiser.
High-school algebra practice
Question 13. Solve 4x + 6 = 30. What is x?
A. 6 B. 5 C. 8 D. 9
Answer: A. 6. Subtract 6 to get 24, then divide by 4: x = 6.
Question 14. If y = 2x², what is y when x = 3?
A. 12 B. 18 C. 9 D. 36
Answer: B. 18. Substitute x = 3: y = 2 × 3² = 2 × 9 = 18.
High-school physics practice
Question 15. A runner travels 100 metres in 20 seconds at constant speed. What is the speed?
A. 2 m/s B. 4 m/s C. 5 m/s D. 20 m/s
Answer: C. 5 m/s. Speed = distance ÷ time = 100 ÷ 20 = 5 m/s.
High-school chemistry practice
Question 16. Which pH indicates an acidic aqueous solution at room temperature?
A. 7 B. 9 C. 11 D. 3
Answer: D. 3. pH below 7 typically indicates an acidic aqueous solution.
High-school probability practice
Question 17. A fair coin is tossed twice. What is the probability of two heads?
A. 1/4 B. 1/2 C. 1/3 D. 3/4
Answer: A. 1/4. HH is one of four equally likely outcomes: HH, HT, TH, TT.
High-school informatics practice
Question 18. A sorted list has 16 values. Which search strategy repeatedly halves the remaining search range?
A. Linear scan only B. Binary search C. Random guessing without comparison D. Alphabetical printing
Answer: B. Binary search. Binary search repeatedly halves the remaining range of a sorted list.
High-school science practice
Question 19. Which result best supports a classroom experiment’s reliability?
A. Reporting only the favourite trial B. Changing all variables for each trial C. Repeating trials and recording all measurements D. Guessing a result from a picture
Answer: C. Repeating trials and recording all measurements. Repeating controlled trials and recording results helps reveal variation.
High-school ethics practice
Question 20. A viral post claims the national Olympiad registration opened, but links to an unfamiliar payment site. What should a student do?
A. Pay before checking B. Forward it to classmates C. Share exam credentials D. Check the responsible organiser’s dated official notice
Answer: D. Check the responsible organiser’s dated official notice. Official announcements are the appropriate source for dates, eligibility and payment.
A four-week Olympiad preparation plan
- Week 1 — Choose the correct pathway: identify the competition organiser, eligible school year and exam language; start two appropriate learning topics.
- Week 2 — Strengthen foundations: practise short lessons, explain patterns, develop reading skills and complete one safe science or coding activity.
- Week 3 — Try new questions: work through suitable problems above and official practice from the selected organiser when available. Record mistakes and improved solutions.
- Week 4 — Build confidence: revisit difficult topics, explain a complete solution and review the official timetable. Do not assume an earlier year’s date applies.
Registration in Korea: questions to check first
- Which organiser? Use the official Korean programme for KOI, KJSO or the subject-specific national pathway. Use SCO student registration or SCO school registration only for an independent School Connect Olympiad.
- Which grade? Confirm the child’s actual Korean or international-school year, exam subject and age requirements.
- Which language? A Korea country listing does not guarantee a Korean-language SCO paper. Check the current exam instructions and support.
- Which date and local time? Compare published calendars with the active registration form. The SCO schedule publishes different annual cycles.
- Which payment option? Check availability, the displayed price and currency and whether a suitable payment method is supported. Do not rely on old flat-fee claims.
- How are results shared? Use the responsible organiser’s official results page, such as SCO results, rather than unsourced social-media announcements.
Frequently asked questions about Olympiad exams in Korea
What are the main academic Olympiad routes in South Korea?
The Republic of Korea has official subject programmes including the Korean Olympiad in Informatics (KOI), Korea Junior Science Olympiad (KJSO), Korean Chemistry Olympiad, and Korean Physics Olympiad. Mathematics national-team information can be reached through the official IMO country profile. School Connect runs independent class-wise educational Olympiads.
How did South Korea perform at IMO 2026?
The Republic of Korea placed sixth in 2026 with 167 points, three gold medals, two silver medals and one honourable mention, according to the official IMO results.
Is North Korea included in these Korean results?
No. This guide refers to the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is separately recorded by the international mathematics organiser.
When were Korea’s 2026 informatics contests?
The official KOI site lists the first round on 10 May 2026 and the second round on 18 July 2026; the final second-round results were announced on 4 August 2026.
How can a younger student begin science Olympiad preparation?
Start with age-appropriate observation, safe experiments, number patterns, reading and explaining an answer. The Korean Junior Science programme has its own staged education and selection process.
Does School Connect registration select Korean national Olympiad team members?
No. SCO examinations are independent. National Korean programmes select and prepare students through their own processes.
What school grades does Korea use?
South Korea generally has six years of elementary education, three of middle school and three of high school. A matching school-year label does not automatically establish SCO eligibility.
Are School Connect chapter lessons free?
Yes. The core free study offer includes chapter-wise learning materials, linked educational videos and practice questions that are updated over time.
Can students in Korea automatically take SCO exams in Korean?
No. Check the chosen SCO subject’s current exam language, class eligibility and registration terms. A country listed on a directory does not itself guarantee Korean-language testing.
What is the registration fee in Korean won?
A fixed Korean-won price is not established here. Check the actual official registration form for the current subject, currency, availability and payment method.
Are the twenty questions here official Korean Olympiad questions?
No. They are newly written educational exercises with explanations. Official older problems, when offered, should be obtained directly from the responsible organiser.
Can students access Korean organisers’ previous problems and results?
The KOI website has past competitions and 2026 problem explanations. For other subjects, follow the organiser’s official resource and notice pages.
What should international-school students in Korea check?
Confirm the child’s school year and curriculum, the organiser’s eligible grade, exam language, country availability and the correct local-time exam window.
What is a practical four-week study routine?
Pick the correct competition, work through age-appropriate lessons, explain your solutions, do guided projects and review errors before checking the official next-cycle announcement.
Families exploring other subjects can build on these ideas with the Class 4 Coding Olympiad guide, the Class 5 AI learning guide and the Science Olympiad study guide. Each explores how students can learn the fundamentals before attempting more advanced competitions.
Explore the next learning step
Begin with the topic your child enjoys most and practise little and often. For national Korean competitions, use the official KOI, KJSO and subject society websites. For independent class-wise learning, explore School Connect subjects, the SCO subject guide and other country-focused Olympiad examples. The most valuable outcome is a student who can ask a question, test an idea and explain the answer.
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