Science Olympiads like NSO (National Science Olympiad), INJSO (Indian Junior Science Olympiad), and other competitive exams are gateways for young minds to showcase talent and develop problem-solving skills. But the challenge for most students is — how to prepare for these exams without compromising school performance. At Career Point Ahmedabad, we have helped hundreds of students crack Science Olympiads while excelling in their school studies. Here’s a step-by-step guide you can follow.
Know the Syllabus Overlap Between Olympiads and School Curriculum
One of the biggest advantages of Olympiad preparation is that a significant portion of its syllabus overlaps with school textbooks.
- Physics, Chemistry, and Biology Basics from classes 6–10 form the foundation for most Olympiads.
- Mathematics Skills often play a role in solving Physics-based Olympiad questions.
- Some topics may go beyond school curriculum, requiring extra study material.
Tip: Create a chart dividing topics into three categories:
- Common topics – covered in both school and Olympiad syllabus.
- Additional topics – exclusive to Olympiads.
- Revision topics – areas that need strengthening before exams.
Plan a Realistic Study Timetable
- Daily: Dedicate 1–1.5 hours to Olympiad-specific study after completing school homework.
- Weekly: Allocate one day for mock tests or past-year paper practice.
- During School Exam Periods: Shift more focus to school syllabus but revise Olympiad topics in short sessions.
Use the Right Study Material
Olympiad preparation needs quality resources that build conceptual clarity and encourage application-based learning.
Recommended approach:
- Start with NCERT textbooks for a strong base.
- Use Olympiad guides such as MTG, Pearson, or Arihant for topic-wise practice.
- Solve past year papers to understand the pattern and frequently asked concepts.
- Explore online quizzes and apps for interactive learning.
Avoid juggling too many books — instead, stick to one core school textbook, one Olympiad guide, and a set of mock tests.
Focus on Conceptual Clarity, Not Rote Learning
Science Olympiads test how well you understand a concept, not just whether you can memorize it.
- Ask Why & How: For example, don’t just remember the laws of motion — understand their real-world applications.
- Do Experiments: Simple home or lab experiments can make learning more engaging.
- Visual Learning: Use diagrams, flowcharts, and animations for better retention.
Practice Regularly With Previous Year Papers
Past question papers are the best preparation tool for any Olympiad.
- Attempt them in timed conditions to build speed.
- Identify common question patterns and focus on recurring topics.
- Maintain an error log to track mistakes and weak areas.
- Regular practice also reduces exam anxiety because the paper format becomes familiar.
Regular practice also reduces exam anxiety because the paper format becomes familiar.
Build Speed and Accuracy
Olympiads are time-bound. Even if you know the concepts, slow speed can reduce your score.
- Solve 5–10 application-based problems daily.
- Learn mental math tricks for quick calculations.
- Work on eliminating wrong options in MCQs to save time.
- Consistency in speed training ensures better performance on exam day.
Consistency in speed training ensures better performance on exam day.
Integrate Olympiad Prep With School Studies
Instead of treating them as separate tasks, combine preparation when possible:
- If your school is teaching photosynthesis in biology, also practice Olympiad-level questions on it.
- Use class notes as the base and add deeper explanations from Olympiad books.
- Revise Olympiad concepts during short study breaks between school topics.
This integrated approach saves time and reduces study pressure.
Use Digital Tools and Online Resources
Technology can make Olympiad preparation more efficient:
- Educational Apps – Offer interactive quizzes and real-time performance tracking.
- YouTube Channels – For quick topic revisions and visual learning.
- Online Mock Tests – Simulate real exam conditions.
Many free and paid platforms provide instant doubt resolution, which is useful for self-learners.
Take Care of Health and Avoid Burnout
Academic excellence requires mental and physical well-being.
- Adequate Sleep: At least 7–8 hours per night.
- Healthy Diet: Include nuts, fruits, and green vegetables for brain health.
- Breaks & Relaxation: Short breaks improve focus and productivity.
- Exercise or Sports: Physical activity helps reduce stress.
Remember, overworking can harm performance more than underpreparing.
Stay Consistent and Motivated
Success in Olympiads comes from long-term, consistent effort.
- Set small, achievable goals and track your progress.
- Reward yourself for meeting milestones.
- Surround yourself with peers who share similar academic goals.