Science Olympiad in Egypt: Preparation and Practice Questions
Science becomes more interesting when students discover how everyday things work. From the movement of water along the Nile to solar energy, plant growth and changing materials, Egypt offers many familiar examples for learning scientific ideas.
This guide brings together 24 free Science Olympiad questions with worked answers, practical experiments, a two-week study plan and useful resources for learners in Egyptian national, language and international schools. Questions progress from primary science to secondary-level physics, chemistry and biology.
Explore the School Connect Olympiad International Science Olympiad (ISO) and the 2026 Science Olympiad syllabus to choose topics suited to your class. For more Science Olympiad practice across school curricula, visit our Science Olympiad study guide.
Science topics for students in Egyptian schools
Students in Egypt can develop strong scientific understanding through observation, experiments and clear explanations. Begin with a topic appropriate to your school stage, then explore more demanding questions as your understanding grows.
| Learning stage | Topics to explore | Helpful practice |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Plants, animals, the water cycle, light and materials | Describe what you see and explain simple changes |
| Upper primary | Electricity, food chains, forces, water and habitats | Measure results and compare fair tests |
| Preparatory / lower secondary | Cells, chemical changes, energy, motion and ecosystems | Calculate, interpret graphs and explain causes |
| Secondary | Physics, biology, chemistry and quantitative reasoning | Use scientific principles to solve unfamiliar problems |
For Egyptian national-school subjects, explore the Ministry of Education textbook library. Students following Cambridge, IB or another international curriculum can combine their school’s learning plan with the SCO Science Olympiad syllabus.
24 Science Olympiad Practice Questions with Worked Answers
Choose a group suited to your level. Read the question, solve it independently and use the explanation to strengthen your understanding. The questions include both science knowledge and scientific calculations.
Primary science — observe and discover
Question 1. Which part of a plant absorbs water and mineral nutrients from the soil?
A. Root | B. Leaf | C. Flower | D. Fruit
Answer: A. Root. Roots absorb water and dissolved minerals through their tissues and carry them into the plant.
Question 2. What happens to liquid water when it freezes?
A. It becomes water vapour | B. It becomes solid ice | C. It becomes a gas | D. It disappears
Answer: B. It becomes solid ice. Freezing changes liquid water into solid ice when it becomes cold enough.
Question 3. Which is a natural source of light during the day?
A. A stone | B. A mirror | C. The Sun | D. A cloud
Answer: C. The Sun. The Sun produces light. Mirrors reflect light but do not create their own.
Question 4. Which animal is a mammal?
A. Butterfly | B. Fish | C. Frog | D. Camel
Answer: D. Camel. A camel is a mammal that feeds milk to its young and breathes air using lungs.
Question 5. Three pots contain six seeds each. How many seeds are there altogether?
A. 18 | B. 12 | C. 9 | D. 24
Answer: A. 18. Each pot contains six seeds, so three pots contain 3 × 6 = 18 seeds.
Question 6. Which process forms clouds from cooling water vapour?
A. Melting | B. Condensation | C. Freezing of soil | D. Evaporation from sand
Answer: B. Condensation. Water vapour cools and condenses into tiny liquid droplets or ice particles, helping clouds form.
Upper primary — energy, water and experiments
Question 7. A student walks 100 metres in 20 seconds at constant speed. What is the speed?
A. 2 m/s | B. 10 m/s | C. 5 m/s | D. 20 m/s
Answer: C. 5 m/s. Speed = distance ÷ time = 100 ÷ 20 = 5 metres per second.
Question 8. Which material is attracted strongly by an ordinary magnet?
A. Paper | B. Plastic | C. Wood | D. Iron
Answer: D. Iron. Iron is a magnetic metal and is strongly attracted by ordinary magnets.
Question 9. What completes a simple battery-and-bulb circuit?
A. A closed conducting loop | B. A disconnected wire | C. An open switch | D. Only one bulb contact
Answer: A. A closed conducting loop. Electric current requires a complete conducting path through the bulb and power source.
Question 10. What is the best way to compare how sunlight affects two identical plants?
A. Give each plant different soil, water and light | B. Keep soil and water the same, changing only light | C. Use different plant types and different pots | D. Change everything and guess the cause
Answer: B. Keep soil and water the same, changing only light. A fair test changes one factor—sunlight—while keeping other important conditions similar.
Question 11. Which change can reduce water loss from a plant growing in dry conditions?
A. Damaged roots | B. More exposed leaf area without protection | C. Fewer exposed leaf surfaces | D. No access to light
Answer: C. Fewer exposed leaf surfaces. Having less exposed leaf surface can reduce water loss by transpiration.
Question 12. A cloth filter removes visible grit from river water. What should happen before anyone drinks the water?
A. Drink it immediately | B. Add sand for taste | C. Assume all germs have gone | D. Use a reliable drinking-water treatment method
Answer: D. Use a reliable drinking-water treatment method. Removing visible particles does not guarantee removal of harmful microorganisms or dissolved contaminants. Proper water treatment is needed.
Secondary Science Practice Questions
Preparatory science — explanations and measurement
Question 13. An object has a mass of 240 g and a volume of 80 cm³. What is its density?
A. 3 g/cm³ | B. 2 g/cm³ | C. 4 g/cm³ | D. 8 g/cm³
Answer: A. 3 g/cm³. Density is mass ÷ volume: 240 ÷ 80 = 3 g/cm³.
Question 14. A net force of 12 N acts on a 4 kg object. What is its acceleration?
A. 2 m/s² | B. 3 m/s² | C. 4 m/s² | D. 48 m/s²
Answer: B. 3 m/s². Using Newton’s second law, a=F/m=12/4=3 m/s².
Question 15. What does a pH value of 3 indicate for an ordinary aqueous solution?
A. It is basic | B. It is neutral | C. It is acidic | D. It contains no ions
Answer: C. It is acidic. At usual classroom temperatures, aqueous solutions below pH 7 are described as acidic.
Question 16. Which gas do green plants absorb during photosynthesis?
A. Oxygen | B. Hydrogen | C. Nitrogen | D. Carbon dioxide
Answer: D. Carbon dioxide. Plants take in carbon dioxide and combine it with water using light energy to make sugars.
Question 17. A circuit has resistance 5 Ω and voltage 15 V. What is the current if it follows Ohm’s law?
A. 3 A | B. 1 A | C. 5 A | D. 75 A
Answer: A. 3 A. Current I=V/R=15/5=3 A.
Question 18. Temperatures recorded over three days are 24°C, 27°C and 30°C. What is their mean?
A. 25°C | B. 27°C | C. 26°C | D. 28°C
Answer: B. 27°C. Add the three readings: 24+27+30=81; divide by 3 to get 27°C.
Senior science — chemistry, genetics and energy
Question 19. A 36 g water sample has molar mass 18 g/mol. How many moles of water does it contain?
A. 1 mol | B. 3 mol | C. 2 mol | D. 18 mol
Answer: C. 2 mol. Moles=mass/molar mass=36/18=2 mol.
Question 20. Two heterozygous parents Aa and Aa have a child. What is the probability of genotype aa under simple Mendelian inheritance?
A. 1/2 | B. 1/8 | C. 3/4 | D. 1/4
Answer: D. 1/4. The four genotype outcomes are AA, Aa, Aa and aa, so 1 out of 4 is aa.
Question 21. What is the kinetic energy of a 4 kg object travelling at 3 m/s?
A. 18 J | B. 12 J | C. 6 J | D. 36 J
Answer: A. 18 J. Kinetic energy is (1/2)mv²=(1/2)×4×3²=18 J.
Question 22. A sample has a half-life of 6 days. What fraction remains after 12 days?
A. 1/2 | B. 1/4 | C. 1/3 | D. 1/8
Answer: B. 1/4. Twelve days equals two half-lives, so (1/2)²=1/4 remains.
Question 23. A wave travels at 320 m/s and has frequency 80 Hz. What is its wavelength?
A. 2 m | B. 8 m | C. 4 m | D. 16 m
Answer: C. 4 m. Wavelength=wave speed/frequency=320/80=4 m.
Question 24. If a device receives 200 J of energy and delivers 50 J as useful output, what is its efficiency?
A. 20% | B. 40% | C. 50% | D. 25%
Answer: D. 25%. Efficiency = useful output/input ×100 = 50/200×100 =25%.
Science Activities Inspired by Egypt’s Environment
1. Investigate evaporation on a sunny day
Fill two identical shallow containers with equal small amounts of clean water. Place one in shade and one in a safe sunny spot. Mark the water level, then measure both after the same period. Compare the changes and write an explanation using evaporation. Use clean water in stable containers and keep younger learners supervised.
2. Explore the importance of clean water
Observe the difference between clear water and water containing harmless soil particles. Pour the mixture through a clean cloth or paper filter and observe changes in visible particles. Record your observations. Do not drink any water used in the experiment; simple filtration does not make unknown water safe to drink.
3. Make a solar-shadow chart
Place a short upright object on a safe surface and measure its shadow at three times during the day. Record the time, direction and length. Discuss how the Sun’s apparent position changes the shadow. Never look directly at the Sun.
A two-week Science Olympiad study plan
| Days | Learning activity | What to focus on |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Choose the class syllabus and review familiar lessons | Plants, matter, energy or the topics relevant to your grade |
| 4–6 | Solve science questions and discuss the explanations | Understanding scientific processes and important vocabulary |
| 7–9 | Try a safe investigation and record results | Observations, controls and drawing conclusions from evidence |
| 10–12 | Practise mixed questions and numerical problems | Units, graphs, formulas and careful reading |
| 13–14 | Review difficult topics and organise exam preparation | Confidence, accuracy and the current examination instructions |
Science Vocabulary in English and Arabic
| English | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Science | العلوم |
| Experiment | تجربة |
| Energy | الطاقة |
| Water cycle | دورة الماء |
| Evaporation | التبخر |
| Observation | الملاحظة |
School Connect Science Olympiad: Syllabus and Registration
Start with the International Science Olympiad subject page, explore the 2026 syllabus and use the exam guide to plan practice. Students and parents can check the exam calendar and registration options for the selected class.
For recognition and certificates, explore the SCO awards information. Schools can help students select subjects, practise together and prepare for the chosen examination session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can Egyptian students find Science Olympiad questions?
Start with the 24 questions above and explore our Science Olympiad practice by class for more topic-based exercises.
Which science topics should younger learners practise?
Begin with plants, animals, the human body, weather, water and everyday materials, then build confidence in explaining observations.
What should older students study?
Biology, chemistry and physics concepts become more detailed in higher classes. Practise explaining processes, using formulas and interpreting experiment results.
Can students following the Egyptian national curriculum use SCO study material?
Yes. Use the Egyptian Ministry of Education textbooks for classroom lessons and the SCO subject resources for additional science challenges.
Can international-school students in Egypt practise these questions?
Yes. Choose a level suited to the school curriculum and the learner’s ability. The examples above cover several learning stages.
How can I register for the Science Olympiad?
Visit the official SCO registration page, select the relevant class and science subject, and review the displayed date, fee and exam instructions.
How should I review an incorrect answer?
Read the explanation, identify the scientific principle and solve a related problem. A short explanation in your own words helps make the learning memorable.
Where can I prepare for other Olympiads in Egypt?
Explore our Egypt Olympiad guide and Maths Olympiad in Egypt guide.
Continue learning: Choose a science topic from your class syllabus, try a few questions, discuss the answers with a teacher or parent and practise with a simple observation activity.
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