International Coding Olympiad (ICO) by School Connect Olympiad for Class 1 to 12
The International Coding Olympiad (ICO), organized by School Connect Olympiad, is a globally recognized competition designed to enhance the coding and programming skills of students from Class 1 to 12. This Olympiad provides young minds with a structured learning pathway to develop logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and expertise in programming languages. ICO is an ideal platform for students looking to explore the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, Game Development, and Application Development.
International Coding Olympiad (ICO) Exam Overview
The ICO exam is structured to evaluate students' understanding of coding fundamentals, logic building, and problem-solving. The objective-based exam is conducted online and includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to assess coding knowledge.
ICO Exam Details
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Feature
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Details
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Exam Name
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SCO International Coding Olympiad
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Duration
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60 minutes
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Type of Exam
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Objective Type
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Number of Questions
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35 - 50 (varies by grade)
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Sections
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Basic Concepts, AI Examples, Game Development, Achievers Section, Advanced Programming (higher classes)
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Eligibility
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Students from Class 1 to 12
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Exam Mode
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Online
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International Coding Olympiad (ICO) Exam Pattern & Syllabus for Class 1 to 12
ICO Exam Pattern
- The exam is objective-type with multiple-choice questions.
- The number of questions varies from 35 to 50, depending on the class.
- The syllabus covers fundamental programming concepts, AI, application development, and data science.
International Coding Olympiad (ICO) Syllabus for Classes 1 – 12
Below is the detailed syllabus for ICO across different grades:
Class-wise ICO Syllabus
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Class
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Topics Covered
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Class 1-2
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Basic AI concepts, voice assistants, recognizing objects and colors, logical puzzles
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Class 3-4
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Introduction to coding, logic building, simple game creation, pattern games
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Class 5-6
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Basics of Java, Python, HTML, CSS, animation development
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Class 7-8
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C programming, XML, Turtle programming, Kotlin, Scratch programming
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Class 9-10
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Data structures, Swift, PHP, SQL, application development basics
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Class 11-12
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AI & Machine Learning introduction, advanced data structures, Python, algorithm design
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How to Participate in the International Coding Olympiad (ICO)
- Registration: Students can register through the School Connect Olympiad website.
- Choose Exam Date: Students can select a convenient exam date from the available slots.
- Receive Login Credentials: After successful registration, students will receive login details for the online exam.
- Attempt the Exam: The test is conducted in a proctored online mode.
- Result Announcement: Scores will be displayed on the School Connect Olympiad portal.
International Coding Olympiad (ICO) Exam Dates
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Exam Name
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First Exam Date
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Second Exam Date
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Third Exam Date
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Fourth Exam Date
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Fifth Exam Date
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SCO ICO
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05-Apr-2025
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03-May-2025
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07-Jun-2025
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08-Oct-2025
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05-Nov-2025
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International Coding Olympiad (ICO) Sample Papers
To help students prepare, School Connect Olympiad offers sample papers for every grade. Below is a table containing download links:
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Class
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Sample Paper Link
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Class 1
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Download
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Class 2
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Download
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Class 3
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Download
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Class 4
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Download
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Class 5
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Download
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Class 6
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Download
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Class 7
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Download
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Class 8
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Download
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Class 9
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Download
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Class 10
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Download
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Class 11
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Download
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Class 12
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Download
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International Coding Olympiad (ICO) Awards | Scholarships | Recognition
Awards & Recognition
- Top performers will receive medals, certificates, and trophies.
- Scholarships and cash prizes will be awarded to high-achieving students.
- A chance to compete at the global level in international coding competitions.
- For more information, click here
How To Prepare for the International Coding Olympiad (ICO) for Classes 1 to 12
Preparation Tips
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Understand the Syllabus: Get a clear idea of the topics covered.
- Practice Sample Papers: Solve previous years’ sample papers.SCO Provide free access to all learning materials.
- Use Online Resources: Platforms like School Connect Olympiad, Code.org, and HackerRank offer coding exercises.
- Join Coding Bootcamps: Enroll in coding workshops to enhance skills.
- Time Management: Practice solving questions under timed conditions.
Additional Study Materials for International Coding Olympiad (ICO)
- Interactive Coding Platforms: Scratch, Code.org, Khan Academy, LeetCode.
- Books: Introduction to Python, Java for Beginners, HTML & CSS Guide.
- YouTube Channels: FreeCodeCamp, MIT OpenCourseWare, Khan Academy.
School Connect Olympiad – Global Presence in Coding Olympiad
The International Coding Olympiad is open to students from the following countries:
UAE, Jordan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Germany, France, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, USA, Netherlands, Egypt, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Philippines, Mauritius, South Africa, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Armenia, Venezuela, Kazakhstan, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, Iran, Korea, Malaysia, Argentina, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Colombia, Vietnam, Turkey, Japan, Taiwan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Uganda, India, Russia, Oman, Qatar, China, Greece, Ghana, Rwanda, Myanmar, Zambia, Tunisia, Morocco, Romania, Cambodia.
International Coding Olympiad – FAQ
Who can participate in the ICO?
Students from Class 1 to 12 can participate.
What is the exam duration?
The exam is 60 minutes long.
What is the exam format?
The test consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
How can I register?
Visit the School Connect Olympiad website and complete the registration.
Which programming languages are allowed in the Coding Olympiad?
Commonly supported languages include Python, Java, C++ and JavaScript. Exact language support may vary by grade level—check the exam details for your level.
Is prior programming experience required to attempt the ICO?
No—lower grades can attempt logic and pattern-based MCQs without coding experience; higher grades will benefit from basic programming knowledge for tougher questions.
What topics or syllabus does the ICO cover?
Topics include computational thinking, sequence & pattern recognition, basic algorithms, logic puzzles, and for older students, elementary data structures and problem-solving strategies.
Are practice tests or sample papers available?
Yes. SCO provides sample papers, practice sets and mock tests on the ICO resources page to help students familiarise themselves with question styles and timing.
Does ICO include hands-on coding tasks or only MCQs?
The core ICO format is MCQs; however, some advanced-level cycles may include short code-output or interactive tasks—refer to level-specific instructions for exact formats.
What technical requirements are needed for online ICO participation?
You need a computer or tablet, stable internet, an updated browser (Chrome/Firefox), and any platform-specific plugin. Proctored sessions may also require a webcam and microphone.
Is the ICO proctored and how is academic integrity enforced?
Yes—ICO is proctored online or at supervised centres. SCO uses secure logins, proctoring tools, and post-test analytics to detect irregularities and enforce integrity.
How is ICO scored and is there negative marking?
Scoring depends on the cycle. Many early-grade MCQ formats avoid negative marking; some advanced papers may apply a small negative penalty. Scoring rules are published with each exam.
How long after the exam are results published?
Results are usually published within 1–3 weeks after the exam, depending on the cycle and the verification process.
Can students enter multiple ICO cycles in a year?
Yes—SCO runs multiple cycles annually and students may register for more than one cycle subject to registration windows.
What awards and recognitions are provided for ICO participants?
Participants receive participation certificates; top performers earn merit certificates, medals and may qualify for scholarships, mentorship invites or special mentions.
Are scholarships or mentorship opportunities available for top ICO performers?
Top scorers may be eligible for SCO scholarships, mentorship programmes or invitations to enrichment events—details are announced each cycle.
Is ICO an individual competition or are team entries allowed?
ICO is primarily an individual competition. Team formats are only run if explicitly announced for special cycles.
What preparation path is recommended for beginners?
Beginners should start with logic puzzles, block-based programming (for younger students), learn fundamentals in Python (recommended), practise MCQs and take timed mock tests to build speed and accuracy.
How does SCO detect plagiarism or copied code in coding tasks?
SCO checks submissions for similarity and enforces an academic-integrity policy; plagiarism or copying can lead to disqualification or other penalties.
How is student data protected and can parents request deletion?
SCO follows privacy practices for educational data; parents or authorised guardians may contact support to request access, correction or deletion of personal data per the privacy policy.
What happens if my device fails during the exam?
If technical issues occur, report immediately via the in-test support channel. Verified technical failures are handled per SCO contingency policy and may allow re-scheduling or re-attempts.
Trusted Important External Links
For more details, visit the School Connect Olympiad official website.