IOQM PRMO and RMO

The HBCSE, or Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, is a nationwide centre of the Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). The main objectives of the HBCSE are to promote equity and excellence in Science and Mathematics education from primary school to the undergraduate college level, as well as to promote the rise of scientific literacy in the country.

The HBCSE administers Science and Mathematics Olympiad exams to school students to select candidates to compete in International Olympiads. There were two different tests, PRMO (first stage) and RMO (second stage), until last year, and then they were combined to form IOQM (Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics). As a result of the pandemic, PRMO and RMO were joined as IOQM exam.

IOQM PRMO and RMO Exam Summary

The PRMO (Pre-Regional Mathematical Olympiad) was the first level of the Mathematics Olympiad and was administered by the Mathematics Teachers’ Association (MTA). However, the Homi Bhabha Centre was administering the remaining rounds of Science Education (HBCSE).

Students must have qualified in PRMO to advance to the next round or the RMO exam. However, in the last two years, both exams have been combined to form the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM).

Particulars	Details
Name of the Scholarship Exam	Pre-Regional Mathematical Olympiad
Commonly known as	PRMO exam (now known as IOQM)
Exam Conducting Body	Mathematics Teachers’ Association
Meant for	Educational scholarship for exam qualifiers
Exam Date	October 30, 2022 (Concluded)
Frequency	Yearly
Number of Stages	5
Eligibility	Students from class 8th to 12th
Number of Students to be selected for RMO	Class 8 to 11 – 300 studentsClass 12 – 60 students
Languages	English Hindi

IOQM PRMO and RMO Official Brochure

Candidates can check brochure for IOQM (PRMO and RMO) exam that HBCSE releases on the official website.

IOQM PRMO and RMO Official Website Link

https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/mathematical-olympiad-2022-2023/

• Authorities have released the final answers and explanations for the IOQM 2022-23 exam on the official website. Candidates can check the same now.
• IOQM exam (First Stage) 2022-23 was held on October 30, 2022.
• The INMO exam (Second Stage) 2022-23 will be held on January 15, 2023.

The IOQM PRMO and RMO exam pattern 2023 will be released soon by the Indian Olympiad in Mathematics (IOQM). Every year, IOQM exams are conducted for students who wish to participate in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). The IOQM PRMO and RMO exam pattern 2023 will be released on the official website and available for download in PDF format.

The IOQM exam pattern will include the number of questions, time limit, and other important instructions. Candidates preparing for the IOQM PRMO and RMO exams must start their preparation as soon as possible and ensure they are well-versed with the exam pattern.

Exam Pattern Details for IOQM PRMO and RMO - Scoring Pattern (+/- Marking)

IOQM is the first level of the Mathematics Olympiad. The exam authorities have introduced many changes to the exams. The examination has undergone a major change in its exam pattern, and the number of stages has been reduced compared to previous years’ exams.

The total duration of the IOQM exam will be 3 hours. This exam will be organised together by the Mathematics Teachers Association of India (MTAI), Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) and the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research – TIFR).

• The exam will be conducted offline/pen-and-paper.
• The exam will be for 3 hours.
• The exam will be on OMR Sheet.
• There will be a total of 30 questions in the question paper in the exam, and the answer will be in the range of 0-99.

Exam Pattern Details- Subject-wise

IOQM will follow the PRMO pattern. There are 30 questions in the examination, and the answers to these questions should be marked on an OMR sheet. The instructions on the question paper and the OMR sheet should be read carefully before starting to answer the questions. The answer to each question is either a single-digit or a two-digit number. The questions are in English and Hindi.

• Number of Questions: 30
• Duration: 3 hours or 180 minutes
• Question Format: Single or Double-Digit Integer
• Marking Scheme: No Negative Marking

Types of Question	No of Question	Marks per Question	Total Marks
Short	6	2	12
Long	15	3	45
Very long	9	5	45
Total	30		102

Stages of Exam in IOQM PRMO and RMO

The exam had six stages for selecting candidates to represent India at the International Level Mathematics Olympiad. However, the selection process has changed. Below we have provided information about the regional Mathematics olympiad, international Mathematics olympiad, and more. The six different stages of the exam are as follows:

Stage 1-Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM)

The Indian Maths olympiad is a 3-hour examination that contains a total of 30 questions. The standard of this exam will be the same as that of previous years. Each question in the paper has an integer answer in the 00-99. Candidates who perform well in the IOQM will be qualified for the next stage of the exam, that is, INMO (Indian National Mathematical Olympiad).

Stage 2-Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO)

It is a 4-hour examination that contains a total of 6 questions. The syllabus and the difficulty level of this examination will be the same as that of the previous year’s INMO.

Candidates selected for the INMO must prepare according to the following rules.

• Top 300 students from class 11 or below category plus 60 from class 12 category from each region will get a certificate in IOQM. These candidates must score a minimum cut-off of 5% of the total marks scored in the IOQM exam, but this is not only a qualifying criterion for INMO.
• The top 540 students on the IOQM merit list will be selected for INMO despite a regional quota. 90 students from the class 12 category and 450 students from classes 8, 9, 10, and 11 will be selected in this stage.
• Six students from the Class 12 category, a minimum of 30 students from the Class 11 or below category, and 5 girl students, regardless of the number of girl students qualifying in Class 11 or below category, will be selected. Girl students from the Class 12 category are not eligible to qualify in the girls’ category. From each region, candidates will qualify for INMO irrespective of the scores provided each qualifying candidate has a score above a minimum cut-off score of 5% of the total marks of the IOQM exam.

Stage 3– Orientation Cum Selection Camps (OCSC)

The student needs to undergo theoretical and experimental sessions in this stage. Only about 35 to 40 students from all over India compete against each other to be eligible for Pre Departure Camp. Orientation is provided to students in these camps for the Olympiad level of theoretical, experimental, and observational (for astronomy) tasks.

Stage 4– Pre Departure Camp

Only 4 to 6 students selected in stage 2 will undergo some particular training programme at HBCSE in theory and practicals before the departure to compete at the International level. HBCSE has developed some special laboratories for this purpose. Authority persons from different institutions across the country are invited to these training camps.

Stage 5– International Olympiad

The Olympiad programme ends up with the participation of the Indian students (4 to 6 students) in the IMO (International Mathematical Olympiad), and they are accompanied by 2 to 4 mentors.

The syllabus for IOQM is the same as that of the PRMO. According to the HBCSE, below is the list of important topics for the IOQM syllabus:

Important Topics For The IOQM Syllabus
Trigonometry	Inequalities	Arithmetic of Integers	Elementary Graph Theory
Geometry	Permutations and Combination	Quadratic Equations and Expressions	Elementary Combinatorics
Probability Theory	Finite Series and Complex Numbers	Number Theory	Factorization of Polynomial
System of Linear Equations	Coordinate Geometry	–	–

IOQM Exam Syllabus Class-wise Distribution

Students can check the IOQM class-wise marks distribution from the table below:

Class	Number of Questions	Total Number of Marks
Class 9	1	2
Class 10	13	34
Class 11	16	66
Total	30	102

IOQM/PRMO Syllabus for Class 8, 9, 10, 11

Students can check the IOQM syllabus for classes 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Class	IOQM Exam Syllabus
Class 8	Geometry Rational Numbers Linear Equations in One Variable Algebraic Expression Permutations and Combination Square root & Cube Root Factorisation Elementary Graph Theory
Class 9	Number System Polynomials Coordinate Geometry Probability Linear Equations in Two Variables Surface Area & Volume Circles Areas of Parallelograms and Triangles
Class 10	Real Numbers Trigonometry Quadratic Equation Arithmetic Progression Coordinate Geometry Inequalities Surface Area & Volume Circles Linear Equation in Two Variables
Class 11	Permutations and Combination Trigonometric Functions Finite series and Complex Numbers Sequence & Series Mathematical Reasoning Quadratic Equations and Expressions Probability Theory Number Theory Factorisation of Polynomial Coordinate Geometry

IOQM PRMO and RMO Exam Blueprint

IOQM exam will be conducted with a total of 30 questions, where all the answers will be between 0-99. There will be no negative marking system.

Class	Number of Questions	Total Number of Marks Allotted
Class 9	1	2
Class 10	13	34
Class 11	16	66
Total	30	102

In the following table, candidates can check the dates for the IOQM PRMO and RMO 2022-23 exam:

Exam Events	Exam Dates
Start Date of IOQM registration 2022-23	August 8, 2022
Last Date to Apply for IOQM application	September 19, 2022
IOQM Exam Date	October 30, 2022
IOQM Final Answer Key	December 2022
IOQM Result 2022-23	December 2022
INMO Exam Date (Second Stage)	January 15, 2023

Authorities released the IOQM exam (First Stage) 2022-23 admit card on October 18, 2022. The exam is now over. The students who passed the exam and whose names will be present in the IOQM merit list will be eligible to take the INMO 2022-23 exam, which is the next stage exam.

Authorities will likely release the admit card for INMO 2022-23 at least one week before the exam date. So, we recommend candidates to bookmark this article and keep visiting the official website for latest update.

Check the table below for IOQM PRMO and RMO exam 2022-23 admit card details:

Particulars	Details
Release of IOQM 2022-23 Admit Card (First Stage)	October 18, 2022 (Released)
Release of INMO 2022-23 Admit Card (Second Stage)	To Be Announced

It is no secret that the IOQM exams is among the most challenging Maths exams in the world. Every year, only a handful of students are able to secure a top score in this exam. This year, make sure you are one of them.

With the right study plan, you can maximise your score in the IOQM exam. Below, we have provided a detailed study guide on how to create a study plan that will help you ace the IOQM exam.

We have also listed some of the best preparation tips that you will need to make the most of your study time. So, if you are looking for a IOQM PRMO and RMO exam study plan to maximise score, then read on!

Preparation Tips to Ace IOQM PRMO and RMO Exam

Below are some vital preparation tips for helping you design a study plan to ace in IOQM while balancing other activities:

• Set smart goals
• Make a cutomised timetable
• Know the detailed syllabus
• Clear all your doubts before the exam
• Choose study material wisely
• Dig deep into the concepts
• Focus on important topics
• Make your own notes on key points while studying
• Identify your strength and weakness
• Practice as much as possible
• Go for the online crash course
• Revise daily without fail
• Complete all the topics prior to the examination

Detailed Study Plan for Clearing IOQM 2023

Students can use the detailed study plan provided below to supplement the preparation tips and improve their exam readiness:

• Set Goals: Students must have proper goals in their study plan to achieve high in the exam. While preparing, you may or may not have covered the entire syllabus. So, it is important to make a proper study plan. Make hourly study plans and select only important topics that need your special attention.
• Do not overburden yourself: Do not make yourself overburdened; set smart and achievable goals. It will increase your confidence and help you attempt the exam to your full potential.
• Pace your Learning: Give extra time to learn important topics. Refer to different study materials or sources to learn more about the concept.
• Taking Breaks: Do not sit continuously for studies; take small breaks in between and let your mind recover because your mind needs time to absorb the information.
• Dig-deep Into the Concepts: As we know, the Mathematics Olympiad is one of the most complicated exams in the world. So you must go through the syllabus carefully.
• Revise Daily: Revision is a very important aspect of active learning. The more you revise, the more you will remember. Proper practice and regular revision help you memorise all the fundamentals effectively.
• Discipline is the Key: Proper study plan is vital. Before starting the preparation, you should be well aware of the topics per the exam pattern. You should also be aware of the selection process for the respective exams.
• Choose Study Material Wisely: You will get good resources to study online and offline. Choose the study materials properly. Ensure that, either online or offline, you have sufficient study materials.
• Go for the Online Crash Course: A short crash course is really helpful for your exam at this critical period. You can always refer to world’s best learning content at Embibe offering 3D books with videos and solutions, pratise papers, mock tests, and more that will ramp up your preparation.
• Do not Practise Passive Learning: Reading the concept over and over from the notes and highlighting the bits out of it will not help you in any way.
• Active Learning: Always use your ideas or prior knowledge to understand and connect with complicated things. Also, look for how the information collected can be used to answer the question in your own and the best possible way.
• Clear Your Remaining Doubts: Clear all your doubts before the exam. It will always remain a problem until and unless you put effort into solving them. Clear your doubts by taking the proper guidance from your teacher or referring to online sources.
• Identify Your Strength and Weakness: You should know your strengths and weaknesses. Your strength always supports you in achieving good PRMO results, and your weakness tells you about the areas you need to improve. Only practising will help you figure out your strengths and weaknesses.
• Quality is Essential not Quantity: Students must understand the concept clearly while practising rather than just hastily finishing the syllabus. So, trying to focus on the quality of learning and get deep into the concepts will help you a lot to understand them.

Note:

• Students must check all details carefully while filling the details in IOQM application form.
• Any wrong information provided at the time of IOQM registration will lead to immediate disqualification of the candidate from appearing in the IOQM exam.
• Keep all required documents ready without fail.
• Students who are unable to access IOQM registration form online can visit their nearing IOQM registration centre to apply through the centre.

The IOQM exam (First Stage) 2022-23 was held on October 30, 2022. The results will likely be released in December 2022 on mtai.org.in. Candidates will be able to access their results using their roll number and Date of Birth (DoB). The authorities will release the IOQM exam result along with student’s responses and Cut-off marks.

Authorities have already released the final solutions for the IOQM 2022-23 exam on the official website. For your convenience, we have provided the IOQM final solutions PDF below:

IOQM 2022-23 Exam	Answer Link
IOQM Final Answers and Explanations 2022-23	Get PDF

Students can check the most frequently asked questions related IOQM 2023 here:

Q.1: Who can apply for the IOQM Exam?

Ans: Students of Classes 8-12 can apply for the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM). Initially there were PEMO an RMO exams, but now it is merged into IOQM.

Q.2: Can students from Kendriya Vidyalaya appear for IOQM Exam?

Ans: No, the students from Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) cannot appear for IOQM.

Q.3: How can I download the previous year’s question papers of IOQM?

Ans: The question papers of IOQM are available at Embibe and also on the HBCSE website.

Q.4: Are RMO and IOQM the same?

Ans: Until 2021, two independent tests were conducted: PRMO and RMO. The PRMO was the first stage, and the RMO was the second stage. These stages were merged to form Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM). This was done to reduce the student’s stress.

Q.5: Will IOQM be held online or offline?

Ans: The IOQM exam was conducted offline by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education in 2022 so the same will be continued in 2023 also.

The Olympiad exams are the best ways to enhance the student’s capability and real potential that brightens minds in mathematics and science worldwide. Each Olympiad exam is conducted by its own organising body, and a common set of rules and regulations are applicable.

Some Popular Scholarship Exams are:

1. NTSE – National Talent Search Exams
2. NSTSE – National Science Talent Search Exams
3. JSTSE – Junior Science Talent Search Exam
4. KVPY – Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana

There are various Olympiads held across the world; some of them are listed in the below table:

Olympiad Exams	Exam Started (Year)
The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)	Since 1959 not held in 1980
The International Physics Olympiad (IPhO)	Since 1967 not held in 1973, 1978, 1980
The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)	Since 1968 not held in 1971
The International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI)	1989
The International Biology Olympiad (IBO)	1990
The International Philosophy Olympiad (IPO)	1993
The International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO)	1996
The International Geography Olympiad (IGeo)	1996
The International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL)	2003
The International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO)	2004
The International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA)	2007
The International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO)	2007

The HBCSE (Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education) is the country’s main centre for Olympiad exams in Mathematics, Sciences and Astronomy. These programmes promote excellence in Mathematics and Science education among pre-university students.

• Mathematical Olympiad Program in India: There are six stages in the Mathematical Olympiad Program (For more details, refer to the link to Olympiad Exams on the official website).
• Science and Astronomy Olympiad Programs in India: There are five stages in the Science Olympiad program (For more details, refer to the link to Olympiad Exams on the official website).