International Finance Knowledge Olympiad (SCO IFKO) 2025–26
A Global Finance Competition for Grades 1–12 by School Connect Olympiad
Prepare your students, children, and classrooms for the world’s first dedicated Finance Knowledge Olympiad. The SCO IFKO combines rigorous financial-literacy challenges with age-appropriate problem solving, offering three exam cycles each year—Summer, Winter, and Academic sessions. Below is a comprehensive guide for parents, educators, and students worldwide.
International Finance Knowledge Olympiad (SCO IFKO) Exam Overview
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Feature
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Details
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Organizing Body
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School Connect Olympiad (SCO)
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Eligibility
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Students in Grades 1–12 worldwide
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Levels
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National Stage (Level 1) & International Finals (Level 2)
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Frequency
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Three cycles per year: Summer, Winter, Academic
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Exam Dates (2025–26)
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Summer: 15 June 2025
Winter: 20 Oct & 21 Oct 2025
Academic: 15 Nov 2025
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Mode
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Online & Offline proctored
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Duration
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60 minutes
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Format
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MCQs, logical reasoning, problem-solving
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Language
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English
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Registration
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Online via school or individual portal
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Fee
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INR 250 / USD 15 (varies by region; group discounts available)
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Objective: Foster financial literacy, critical thinking, and real-world money-management skills from the earliest grades through high school.
World’s First Grade-by-Grade Finance Olympiad Syllabus (Grades 1–12) by School Connect Olympiad
School Connect Olympiad (SCO) proudly launches the world’s first dedicated Finance Olympiad, offering a comprehensive, grade-by-grade syllabus from Grade 1 through Grade 12. Drawing on best-in-class frameworks such as the OECD PISA Financial Literacy Framework, NFEC K–12 Financial Literacy Standards, the Council for Economic Education’s National Standards, and PISA 2018 Content Areas, this scaffolded curriculum leads students, parents, educators, and schools on a clear progression—from foundational money management concepts all the way to advanced financial reasoning and ethical decision-making.
Grade 1: Introduction to Money and Value
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Core Topics
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Learning Outcomes
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Recognizing Coins
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Identify Indian coins (?1, ?2, ?5, ?10) and their faces.
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Counting Small Amounts
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Count up to ?10 using mixed coins.
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Needs vs. Wants
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Sort simple pictures into “need” (food, water) and “want” (toy, candy) columns.
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Saving Basics
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Discuss why we keep money in a piggy bank; set a goal to save ?5.
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Grade 2: Earning and Basic Budgeting
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Core Topics
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Learning Outcomes
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Ways to Earn
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Name simple ways to earn pocket money (chores, gifts).
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Earning vs. Spending
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Create a chart showing one way to earn ?10 and decide how much to spend vs. save.
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Simple Budgets
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Draw and label a budget pie-chart splitting ?10 into “save,” “spend,” and “share.”
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Piggy Bank Record-Keeping
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Record weekly deposits into a mock piggy bank diary.
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Grade 3: Saving, Sharing & Introduction to Value
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Core Topics
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Learning Outcomes
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Comparing Values
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Order coins and small notes (?1, ?2, ?5) by value.
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Saving & Sharing Goals
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Plan a savings goal (toy) and a sharing goal (gift for friend) and track progress.
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Introduction to Price
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Match common items (apple, notebook) to simple price tags (?2, ?5).
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Making Change
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Given an item costing ?3, calculate change from ?5.
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Grade 4: Banking Basics & Introduction to Interest
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Core Topics
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Learning Outcomes
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Bank vs. Piggy Bank
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Explain the difference between a bank account and a home piggy bank.
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Deposits & Withdrawals
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Simulate bank transactions: record deposit of ?20 and withdrawal of ?5.
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Simple Interest Concept
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Understand that banks pay “extra” for saving (introduction only).
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Budget Revision
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Given a monthly allowance of ?50, revise budget for unexpected expense of ?10.
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Grade 5: Foundations of Money
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Core Topics
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Learning Outcomes
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Currency & Value
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Identify Indian rupees, US dollars, euros; compare simple exchange rates (e.g., ?1 = $0.013).
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Needs vs. Wants
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Classify items into “needs” (food, shelter) vs. “wants” (toys, games).
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Saving Habits
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Explain why saving is important; set a short-term goal (e.g., saving ?50 for a book).
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Simple Budgeting
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Create a weekly allowance budget and track actual spending.
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Grade 6: Banking & Simple Interest
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Core Topics
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Learning Outcomes
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Savings Accounts & Bank Services
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Describe how to open a bank account; record deposits/withdrawals in a passbook.
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Simple Interest
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Calculate interest using I = P × R × T / 100 for given P, R%, T years.
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Introduction to Loans
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Outline borrowing basics and repayment schedules.
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Digital Payments
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Demonstrate a mock mobile wallet transaction; list security best practices.
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Grade 7: Compound Interest & Financial Planning
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Core Topics
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Learning Outcomes
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Compound Interest
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Compute A = P(1 + r/n)nt for annual/monthly compounding; plot growth curves.
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Goal-Based Planning
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Draft a three-month savings plan with specific targets for school supplies.
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Emergency Funds
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Explain why 1–3 months of expenses should be set aside.
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Basics of Insurance
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Compare health vs. auto insurance; define “premium” and “deductible.”
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Grade 8: Taxes, Budget Management & Credit
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Core Topics
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Learning Outcomes
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Taxation Essentials
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Differentiate gross vs. net income; compute simple income tax deductions.
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Advanced Budgeting
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Use a spreadsheet to create a zero-based monthly budget, reconciling planned vs. actual expenses.
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Credit & Debit Cards
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Calculate finance charges from APR; discuss responsible card usage.
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Ethical Giving
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Evaluate scenarios of charitable donations and ethical fundraising.
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Grade 9: Investing Fundamentals & Market Mechanics
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Core Topics
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Learning Outcomes
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Stocks, Bonds & Funds
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Compare historical returns and risks of stocks vs. bonds vs. mutual funds.
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Financial Markets 101
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Explain how a buy/sell order reaches an exchange; interpret SENSEX or Dow Jones movements.
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Portfolio Diversification
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Build a mock portfolio of ≥3 asset classes, calculate percentage allocations.
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Behavioral Finance
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Identify cognitive biases (e.g., herd behavior) in given investment case studies.
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Grade 10: Personal Financial Statements & Entrepreneurship
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Core Topics
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Learning Outcomes
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Income Statement & Balance Sheet
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Prepare simple personal statements with assets, liabilities, income, and expenses.
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Cash Flow Analysis
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Categorize cash flows into operating, investing, financing for a small project.
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Break-Even & Pricing
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Compute break-even units for a mock small-business product.
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Credit Scores
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Describe factors influencing credit scores; simulate improving a poor score.
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Grade 11: Advanced Investment & Risk Management
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Core Topics
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Learning Outcomes
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Mutual Funds & ETFs
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Analyze fee structures and performance metrics of sample funds.
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Risk Metrics
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Calculate standard deviation and Sharpe ratio for a data set of returns.
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Alternative Investments
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Evaluate pros/cons of REITs vs. direct real estate vs. cryptocurrency.
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Retirement Planning
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Design a 401(k)-style savings plan with projected balances using compound growth.
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Grade 12: Macroeconomics, Valuation & Ethics
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Core Topics
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Learning Outcomes
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Macroeconomic Indicators
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Interpret GDP, inflation rates, unemployment, and central bank policy actions.
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Corporate Valuation
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Perform a basic discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation for a hypothetical firm.
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Forex & Global Finance
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Explain how exchange-rate changes affect import/export profitability.
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Ethics & Regulation
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Analyze insider-trading cases; discuss the role of regulatory bodies (e.g., SEBI, SEC).
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How to Participate
- Online Registration: www.schoolconnectonline.com
- Complete Payment: INR 250 / USD 11 per student; group discounts for 10+.
- Choose Exam Mode & Date: Select online or offline; pick one Summer, Winter, or Academic slot.
- Email confirmation : After the payment student will receive ID and Password to login for free study materials and online exams
- Take the Exam: 60 minutes under remote proctoring (webcam + screen-share).
- View Results: Scorecards and analytics in your SCO dashboard within 2 weeks.
International Finance Knowledge Olympiad (SCO IFKO) Sample Papers & Study Aids
Access free sample papers grade by grade:
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Grade
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Sample Paper Link
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Class 1
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Download Class 1 Sample Paper
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Class 2
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Download Class 2 Sample Paper
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Class 3
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Download Class 3 Sample Paper
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Class 4
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Download Class 4 Sample Paper
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Class 5
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Download Class 5 Sample Paper
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Class 6
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Download Class 6 Sample Paper
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Class 7
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Download Class 7 Sample Paper
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Class 8
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Download Class 8 Sample Paper
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Class 9
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Download Class 9 Sample Paper
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Class 10
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Download Class 10 Sample Paper
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Class 11
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Download Class 11 Sample Paper
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Class 12
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Download Class 12 Sample Paper
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Additional Materials:
- Video tutorials on key topics (YouTube channel).
- Interactive quizzes on the SCO mobile app.
- Weekly live Q&A sessions with finance educators.
SCO IFKO Prizes, Scholarships & Recognition
- Gold Medalists: All-expenses-paid invite to the SCO Global Finance Summit.
- Regional Champions: ? 8 000 / USD 100 cash awards.
- Top 0.1% Mentorship: One-on-one coaching with university finance faculty.
- Digital Badges & Certificates: Instant, shareable credentials upon result declaration. Click here for more
Global Presence
SCO IFKO brings financial-literacy excellence to students across six continents. In the 2025–26 cycle, learners from UAE, Jordan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Germany, France, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States, 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, South 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, and Cambodia are all engaging with SCO IFKO to build stronger financial futures.
Frequently Asked Questions: SCO International Finance Knowledge Olympiad (IFKO)
- Who can take SCO IFKO?
Any student from Grade 1 through Grade 12, enrolled in a recognized school or homeschooling program anywhere in the world, is eligible to register for the Finance Knowledge Olympiad by SCO.
- How often is the exam held?
SCO IFKO runs three cycles each year—the Summer, Winter, and Academic sessions—so students can choose the most convenient window for their schedule.
- What is the registration fee?
The standard fee is INR 250 (or USD 11) per student. Schools registering 10 or more students qualify for discounted group rates.
- Is there negative marking?
No. SCO IFKO encourages confident participation by not penalizing incorrect answers. Students earn points only for correct responses.
- Can I switch sessions after registering?
Yes. You may reschedule your chosen cycle up to 48 hours before your exam slot, subject to seat availability, via the SCO dashboard.
- Is there an offline exam option?
Yes. While SCO IFKO is primarily online, we partner with authorized test centers in many regions to offer an offline paper-based alternative.
- Which languages are available?
Currently, the Olympiad is conducted exclusively in English, ensuring uniform delivery of financial terminology worldwide.
- How long is the exam?
Each session of SCO IFKO lasts 60 minutes, balancing depth of challenge with accessibility for younger grades and time-management practice for older students.
- What is the exam format?
The test comprises three sections:
- Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) on core finance concepts
- Logical Reasoning & Problem-Solving puzzles (budgets, interest scenarios)
- Real-World Finance Problems requiring application of learned skills
- How soon are results published?
Scorecards, detailed analytics, and cut-off benchmarks are released within two weeks after each exam cycle closes.
- Are sample papers free?
Yes. Grade-wise sample papers for SCO IFKO are available at no cost on the SCO portal under “Resources.”
- What topics are covered in Grade 6?
The Grade 6 syllabus focuses on banking services, simple interest calculations, loan basics, and digital payment methods.
- Can parents track their child’s progress?
Absolutely. Parents can log into the SCO Parent Dashboard to monitor registration status, mock-test scores, and final performance reports.
- Are there group discounts for schools?
Yes—schools enrolling 10 or more students in a single cycle receive a 10–20% discount on the per-student fee.
- Is a webcam required for the online exam?
Yes. Remote proctoring uses a webcam and screen-share to verify candidate identity and maintain exam integrity.
- Which devices can I use to take the exam?
SCO IFKO supports desktops, laptops, and tablets running modern browsers such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox with a stable internet connection.
- How are tie-breakers handled?
In the event of equal scores, ranking is determined first by Section 1 accuracy (basic finance concepts) and then by faster submission time.
- Are scholarships available?
Yes. Top performers in each cycle qualify for scholarship vouchers, and the overall International Champion receives a dedicated grant.
- Can teachers manage group registrations?
Yes—educators can use the School Coordinator Portal to bulk-enroll classes, assign exam slots, and access collective performance analytics.
- What is the SCO Honor Code?
All participants must pledge to uphold academic integrity. Any form of cheating or unfair practice results in immediate disqualification.
- Where can I find detailed syllabus information?
The complete grade-by-grade syllabus is available in your SCO dashboard under the “Syllabus & Resources” section after registration.
- How do I contact SCO support?
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +91 8718960308
- Live Chat: Available 24/7 on the SCO portal.
Empower financial confidence and global recognition for your students—register today for the International Finance Knowledge Olympiad (SCO IFKO) 2025–26!
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