ICO Olympiad 2025 – Registration, Syllabus, Important Dates & Results
ICO Olympiad 2025 – Academic excellence is critical to a student’s future success in today’s competitive environment. The International Commerce Olympiad (ICO) provides a valuable opportunity for students to test and improve their understanding of commerce. Designed for students in grades 11 and 12, the Olympiad helps them obtain a deeper understanding of disciplines such as Economics, Business Studies, and Accounting while also developing analytical and logical reasoning skills.
The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) organizes the ICO to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application. It challenges pupils with thought-provoking questions, allowing them to improve their problem-solving skills. Students who participate in this famous examination not only get international recognition but also prepare for higher education and future professional options in the field of commerce.
This document contains a detailed guide to the SOF ICO 2025-26, including eligibility criteria, test style, syllabus, rewards, and preparation tools to assist students in achieving in the competition.
- Overview of SOF ICO 2025-26
- ICO Olympiad 2025 Exam Pattern & Syllabus
- ICO Olympiad 2025 Marking Scheme
- ICO Olympiad 2025 Awards & Scholarships
- How to Prepare for SOF ICO
- ICO Olympiad 2025 Sample Papers
- ICO Olympiad Exam Date
- ICO Olympiad 2025 FAQs
Overview of SOF ICO 2025-26
| Exam Organizing Body | Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) |
| Eligibility | Students of classes 11 and 12 from SOF-recognized schools |
| Exam Level | Intermediate |
| Application Process | Via Respective School Authorities |
| Exam Dates | Level 1: December 2025, January 2026 ( Tentative) |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Registration Fee | ₹125 (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal) / US$9 (Other countries) |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Objective | To identify & nurture a passion for Commerce |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Official Website | https://sofworld.org/ico |
ICO Olympiad 2025 Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The SOF ICO contains multiple-choice questions assessing students’ comprehension of Commerce subjects. The syllabus contains:
ICO Olympiad 2025-26 Class 11 Syllabus
| Section | Subject | Topics Covered |
| Section 1 | Economics | Introductory Microeconomics, Statistics for Economics. |
| Section 2 | Business Studies | Nature and Purpose of Business, Forms of Business Organisations, Public, Private and Global Enterprises, Business Services, Emerging Modes of Business, Social Responsibility of Business and Business Ethics, Sources of Business Finance, Small Business, Internal Trade, International Business. |
| Section 3 | Accountancy | Theoretical Framework, Accounting Process, Financial Statements of Sole Proprietorship from Complete and Incomplete Records, Computers in Accounting. |
| Section 4 | Achiever’s Section | Higher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus based on Sections 1, 2, and 3. |
Official Website for Class 11 Syllabus- https://sofworld.org/ico/class-11/ico-syllabus/sof-international-commerce-olympiad-ico-syllabus-class-11
ICO Olympiad 2025-26 Class 12 Syllabus
| Section | Subject | Topics Covered |
| Section 1 | Economics | Introductory Macroeconomics, Indian Economic Development. |
| Section 2 | Business Studies | Management’s nature and significance, management principles, the business environment, planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling, financial management, financial markets, marketing management, and consumer protection. |
| Section 3 | Accountancy | Financial Statements of Not-for-Profit Organisations, Accounting for Partnership Firms, Accounting for Companies, Analysis of Financial Statements, Cash Flow Statements, and Computerised Accounting. |
| Section 4 | Achiever’s Section | Higher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus based on Sections 1, 2, and 3. |
Official Website for ICO Class 12 Syllabus- https://sofworld.org/ico/class-12/ico-syllabus/sof-international-commerce-olympiad-ico-syllabus-class-12
ICO Olympiad 2025 Marking Scheme
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 15 | 1 | 15 |
| Business Studies | 15 | 1 | 15 |
| Accountancy | 15 | 1 | 15 |
| Achievers Section | 5 | 3 | 15 |
| Total | 50 | 60 |
How to Participate in SOF ICO
- Students must register with their schools at least 30 days before the exam.
- Schools can register as examination centers without paying an additional charge.
- SOF sends all required registration forms to schools, which must be completed by the date.
ICO Olympiad 2025 Awards & Scholarships
International Level
| Rank | Awards/Scholarships | Number of Winners |
| 1st | ₹50,000 + Gold Medal + Certificate | 2 |
| 2nd | ₹25,000 + Silver Medal + Certificate | 2 |
| 3rd | ₹10,000 + Bronze Medal + Certificate | 2 |
Zonal Level
| Rank | Awards/Scholarships | Number of Winners |
| 1st | ₹5000 + Gold Medal + Certificate | 52 |
| 2nd | ₹2500 + Silver Medal + Certificate | 52 |
| 3rd | ₹1000 + Bronze Medal + Certificate | 52 |
| 4th-10th | Gifts worth ₹500 + Medal of Distinction | 364 |
| 11th-25th | Medal of Distinction + Certificate | 780 |
| 26+ | Participation Certificate | All |
School Level
- Top performers in their classes receive the Gold Medal of Excellence.
- Each participant will receive an individual Student Performance Report (SPR).
How to Prepare for SOF ICO
The SOF International Commerce Olympiad (ICO) is a competitive exam that measures students’ knowledge and problem-solving abilities in the subject of commerce. To excel on this exam, you must prepare properly and strategically.
- Familiarize yourself with the exam format and syllabus to understand what topics will be covered in the exam.
- Practice solving sample papers and prior years’ question papers to obtain a sense of the exam format and enhance your problem-solving abilities.
- Improve your comprehension of Commerce principles via consistent practice and study.
- Solve past years’ question papers to gain a better understanding of the exam format and question categories.
- Stay up-to-date on the latest advances in the field of commerce by reading ICO Olympiad books (https://sofworld.org/sof-international-commerce-olympiad-books ), using online resources, and watching tutorials to improve your knowledge and stay ahead of the competition.
ICO Olympiad 2025 Sample Papers
Students must practice SOF ICO sample papers to become familiar with the exam style and question categories. These papers help develop problem-solving abilities and time management. To help them prepare more efficiently, students can obtain past years’ papers and sample examinations on the official SOF website.
Official Website-
- Class 11- https://sofworld.org/ico/class-11/sample-model-test-papers/sof-international-commerce-olympiad-ico-sample-paper-class-11
- Class 12 – https://sofworld.org/ico/class-12/sample-model-test-papers/sof-international-commerce-olympiad-ico-sample-paper-class-12
ICO Olympiad Exam Date
The exam authorities will hold the ICO 2025-26 exam on two distinct days. A school may perform the SOF ICO on any of the following days at its convenience.
Date 1–December, 2025 (Tentative)
Date 2- January, 2026 (Tentative)
Contact & Clarifications
For any queries regarding SOF ICO, students and schools can contact:
- Phone: 0124-4951200
- Email: info@sofworld.org
ICO Olympiad 2025 FAQs
Q1. What exactly is an ICO?
Ans. SOF ICO is a prominent annual competition for international high school students interested in commerce. Participants compete in a series of difficult questions that assess their competence in the Commerce subject. The competition attempts to assess students’ understanding of accounting, economics, and business studies.
Q2. How can I register for the International Commerce Olympiad?
Ans. Students can only register for the SOF ICO International Commerce Olympiad at their particular schools. Individual registrations are not accepted.
Q3.What is the fee for the International Commerce Olympiad?
Ans. Schools in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal must pay an INR 125 registration fee to SOF, while other countries must pay USD 9 (including GST) per student / Olympiad to cover the cost of the examination.
Q4. Who is eligible for the International Commerce Olympiads?
Ans. Students in grades 11 and 12 are eligible to apply for the SOF ICO. There are no other eligibility criteria, such as minimum marks. SOF ICO is a single-level test.
Students from Science, Commerce, and Humanities may apply for the SOF ICO.
Q5. Are there any unique books that participants should read for ICO preparation?
Ans. In general, NCERT books/course books prescribed by the CBSE/ICSE/STATE BOARDS can be used for preparation. The official website offers past years’ papers to give you an idea of the types of questions that will be asked in the exam.MTG, SOF’s official academic partner, publishes publications and materials relevant to the Olympiad. Website: www.mtg.in.
Q6. I have already competed in the Olympiads while I was in lower school. Can I appear again?
Ans. Certainly. This will allow you to better your prior ranks, and if you succeed, you will be eligible for certificates and prizes again.
Q7. We have less than five pupils at our school who are interested in participating in the SOF ICO. Can we still sign up for the test?
Ans. Yes. There are no criteria for the minimum number of students to participate in this exam.
Q8. Can a student register for an offline ICO?
Ans. I’m sorry, but students cannot register directly for Offline ICO; however, the school can register them for them.
Q9. Is it feasible for a First Round student to be enrolled in school while another Round student registers in their capacity?
Ans. Yes, but with different login credentials, such as an email address and a mobile number.
Q10. How many times is the SOF ICO exam administered each year?
Ans. The SOF International Commerce Olympiad is held once every year.
Conclusion
The International Commerce Olympiad is a fantastic effort that allows students to put their knowledge of commerce to the test at an advanced level. Students who participate in this competition not only improve their academic talents but also receive significant experience with real-world business principles. The Olympiad promotes critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a thorough understanding of Economics, Business Studies, and Accounting, all of which are essential for higher education and professional jobs in Commerce. Furthermore, the SOF ICO awards students with renowned certificates, medals, and scholarships, recognizing them on a global scale. Schools and educators play an important role in motivating kids to join and mentoring them to achieve success in the competition.
With proper preparation, dedication, and strategic studying, students can excel in the Olympiad and gain a competitive edge in their academic journey. Register through your school and begin your preparation today to make the most of this incredible opportunity!