IEO: syllabus, mock tests and practice
SOF's yearly English competition for Classes 1-12, taken at school. It tests how well children use English for real communication (vocabulary, grammar, reading and everyday expression) rather than rote rules, and ranks them against peers.
- Classes
- Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
- Syllabus years
- 2026-27
- Mock tests
- 72
- Downloads
- 25
IEO syllabus by class
About the IEO exam
How the exam works
Mode: Offline, objective multiple-choice paper held in school during school hours; each exam date has its own paper. · Levels: Level 1: Classes 1-12, held in the student's own school. Level 2: Classes 3-12 only; qualifiers are the class-wise top 5% internationally, the top 25 per zone per class, and school class toppers (where at least 10 students of that class sat the exam and the topper scored at least 50%). Level 1 questions are about 60% from the current class syllabus and 40% from the previous class; the Achievers Section and all of Level 2 use the current class syllabus only. · Duration: 60 minutes · Questions: Level 1: Classes 1-4 have 35 questions (Word and Structure Knowledge 15, Reading 10, Spoken and Written Expression 5, Achievers 5). Classes 5-12 have 50 (Word and Structure Knowledge 30, Reading 10, Spoken and Written Expression 5, Achievers 5). Level 2: Classes 3-4 have Word and Structure Knowledge 20 + Reading 10 + Achievers 5; Classes 5-12 have Word and Structure Knowledge 35 + Reading 10 + Achievers 5. · Marking: 1 mark per question except the Achievers Section: 2 marks each for Classes 1-4 (40 marks in total) and 3 marks each for Classes 5-12 (60 marks in total). SOF's published pattern does not mention negative marking. · Language: English
How to register
Only through the child's school: the school registers with SOF and sends the student forms, usually at least 30 days before its chosen exam date. Individual registrations are not accepted. Fee: Rs 170 per student per Olympiad incl. GST (India, Bhutan, Nepal), and schools may collect up to Rs 30 extra; US$11 elsewhere.
When it happens
Next Level 1 school dates: 17 November 2026. Earlier dates (30 September and 27 October 2026) have passed. Each school chooses one date; a future exam date does not mean registration is still open. SOF asks schools to submit registrations at least 30 days before their selected date. Level 2 is for qualifying Classes 3–12 only; SOF plans to announce the exact date by December 2026 and provisionally indicates the second or third Sunday of February 2027. This is tentative, not a confirmed exam date. Results are normally available within about 8 weeks. Status checked 1 November 2026; times are IST.
Official website, syllabus and sample papers
Links to the organiser's own pages. Past and sample papers are published there by the organiser.
IEO syllabus
Jump to: Class 1 · 2026-27 · Class 2 · 2026-27 · Class 3 · 2026-27 · Class 4 · 2026-27 · Class 5 · 2026-27 · Class 6 · 2026-27 · Class 7 · 2026-27 · Class 8 · 2026-27 · Class 9 · 2026-27 · Class 10 · 2026-27 · Class 11 · 2026-27 · Class 12 · 2026-27
IEO syllabus, Class 1 · 2026-27
Word and Structure Knowledge (20 topics) · Reading (1 topic) · Spoken and Written Expression (2 topics) · Achievers Section (1 topic)
IEO syllabus, Class 2 · 2026-27
Word and Structure Knowledge (20 topics) · Reading (2 topics) · Spoken and Written Expression (3 topics) · Achievers Section (1 topic)
IEO syllabus, Class 3 · 2026-27
Word and Structure Knowledge (22 topics) · Reading (3 topics) · Spoken and Written Expression (3 topics) · Achievers Section (1 topic)
IEO syllabus, Class 4 · 2026-27
Word and Structure Knowledge (23 topics) · Reading (3 topics) · Spoken and Written Expression (3 topics) · Achievers Section (1 topic)
IEO syllabus, Class 5 · 2026-27
Word and Structure Knowledge (19 topics) · Reading (3 topics) · Spoken and Written Expression (3 topics) · Achievers Section (1 topic)
IEO syllabus, Class 6 · 2026-27
Word and Structure Knowledge (18 topics) · Reading (3 topics) · Spoken and Written Expression (3 topics) · Achievers Section (1 topic)
IEO syllabus, Class 7 · 2026-27
Word and Structure Knowledge (22 topics) · Reading (3 topics) · Spoken and Written Expression (3 topics) · Achievers Section (1 topic)
IEO syllabus, Class 8 · 2026-27
Word and Structure Knowledge (25 topics) · Reading (3 topics) · Spoken and Written Expression (3 topics) · Achievers Section (1 topic)
IEO syllabus, Class 9 · 2026-27
Word and Structure Knowledge (28 topics) · Reading (3 topics) · Spoken and Written Expression (4 topics) · Achievers Section (1 topic)
IEO syllabus, Class 10 · 2026-27
Word and Structure Knowledge (26 topics) · Reading (4 topics) · Spoken and Written Expression (4 topics) · Achievers Section (1 topic)
IEO syllabus, Class 11 · 2026-27
Word and Structure Knowledge (15 topics) · Reading (4 topics) · Spoken and Written Expression (3 topics) · Achievers Section (4 topics)
IEO syllabus, Class 12 · 2026-27
Word and Structure Knowledge (15 topics) · Reading (4 topics) · Spoken and Written Expression (3 topics) · Achievers Section (4 topics)
Rounds and levels
- 2026-27: Practice for the 2026-27 exam cycle.
- Level 1 2019-20
- Practice Tests: Original IEO practice sets for every class, 5 tests per set.
IEO: guides for parents
- SOF Olympiads IMO, NSO and IEO: A Guide for Parents
How the SOF Maths, Science and English Olympiads work: classes, Level 1 and Level 2, the paper pattern, and a gentle way to help your child prepare.
6 min read
More exams on SkillStar
IEO: questions parents ask
- Which classes can prepare for IEO on SkillStar?
- IEO practice on SkillStar is arranged for Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11 and Grade 12. Each child sees what's right for their own class.
- What is in the IEO syllabus for 2026-27?
- 344 topics in Word and Structure Knowledge, Reading, Spoken and Written Expression and Achievers Section, laid out subject by subject on this page. On SkillStar your child can tick off each topic as they learn it.
- Are there IEO mock tests on SkillStar?
- Yes, 72 mock tests. Each one is marked the moment your child finishes, with a question-by-question review, and can be taken again as often as they like.
- Can I download IEO papers?
- Yes. The IEO Downloads tab on SkillStar has 25 files for this exam.
- How does my child start IEO practice?
- Sign up free as a parent, add your child with their class, and pick IEO from the exam list. Every new family gets welcome credits, lots of content costs nothing, and anything paid shows its price in credits before you decide.
- Is SkillStar the official IEO website?
- No. SkillStar is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the organisers of these exams. Exam names belong to their respective owners. Check dates, fees and registration with the IEO organisers.
SkillStar is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the organisers of these exams. Exam names belong to their respective owners.