10 Olympiads for High School Students
Participating in Olympiads is a great way for high school students to challenge themselves, sharpen their problem-solving skills, and showcase their talents on national and international stages. These competitions cover academic subjects like mathematics, science, and linguistics, as well as specialized fields such as economics, history, and artificial intelligence. Whether you're aiming to represent your country on a global level or simply looking to deepen your understanding of a subject you love, the Olympiads offer a platform to excel.
Here are 10 Olympiads designed for high school students that can help you unlock your potential and gain valuable experiences for future academic and career pursuits.
Location: Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Eligibility: International and U.S. students in grades 8-12, aged 13-17
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Dates/Duration: June 9 – 13, 2025
Cost: $50 application fee + $500 participation fee per participant
The GENIUS Olympiad is an international competition focused on tackling environmental challenges. Organized by Terra Science and Education, the event invites students and teams from around the world to compete in categories such as science, coding, writing, business, robotics, art, short film, and music. Each category has specific guidelines, encouraging participants to develop creative and practical solutions to environmental issues.
In addition to the competition, the Olympiad offers various events and activities that help build a sense of community. You can participate in group meals, cultural tours, games, opening and closing ceremonies, fairs, presentations, and social gatherings. Awards are presented in each category at the ceremony, recognizing the contributions and achievements of participants.
Location: International finals will be held in Quezon City, Philippines
Eligibility: Current high school students
Application Deadline: 2025 registrations have now closed
Dates/Duration: July 13 – 20, 2025
Cost: $100 registration fee
The United States Biology Olympiad (USABO) is a competitive event for high school students interested in the life sciences. The competition includes exams on a variety of topics, such as molecular biology, genetics, physiology, and ecology. These exams allow you to demonstrate your understanding of essential biological concepts and specialized areas within the field.
Top performers receive medals, with the highest achievers earning a place on the national team to represent the United States at the International Biology Olympiad. Success in the USABO reflects your mastery of biological concepts, laboratory techniques, and scientific curiosity. Performing well in this competition can be a strong addition to your application, especially for students pursuing life sciences or pre-med programs, showcasing both academic achievement and a commitment to scientific exploration.
3. International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI)
Location: Beijing, China
Eligibility: High school students from participating countries
Application Deadline: Early bird registrations close in February; standard applications close in May. Local organizations must nominate student teams by this deadline.
Dates/Duration: August 2 – 9, 2025
Cost: Fees vary for teams and registration dates. Specific details will be provided by your country’s organizing body.
The International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), launching in 2024, focuses on three key areas of AI: natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML), and computer vision. Each participating country sends a team of 4-6 students, with around 50 teams competing globally.
The competition consists of two rounds:
Scientific Round: This round tests coding skills, understanding of machine learning principles, and proficiency with deep learning Python libraries. Participants solve six real-world, research-inspired problems.
Practical Round: Teams analyze and address AI-related software issues. Over 2-4 hours, participants collaborate to tackle assigned problems, earning points for creativity and performance.
The IOAI provides a platform for young minds to showcase their AI expertise and innovative thinking on the international stage.
Location: Varies based on tiers.
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens
Application Deadline: January 17, 2025
Dates/Duration:
March 1 – 23, 2025: Local Exam
April 5 – 13, 2025: National Exam
June 1 – 14, 2025: Study Camp
July 5 – 14, 2025: International Chemistry Olympiad
Cost: Not specified
The United States National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) is a prestigious competition for high school students with a passion for chemistry. It includes a series of local and national exams that cover a broad range of topics across various branches of chemistry. From foundational concepts to advanced theories, the competition allows you to demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving skills.
Top performers receive medals, and the highest achievers earn the chance to represent the United States internationally. Success in the USNCO reflects your mastery of chemical concepts, laboratory techniques, and analytical thinking. Achievements in this competition are recognized by college admissions officers, strengthening your application to STEM programs, particularly in chemistry, chemical engineering, and related fields.
5. Astronomy Olympiad (USAAAO)
Location: Varies by tiers; International Astronomy Olympiad will be held in Mumbai, India
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
Dates/Duration:
February 8, 2025: First Round Exam
April 12, 2025: National Camp
June 2 – August 4, 2025: Training Camp
August 11 – 21, 2025: International Astronomy Olympiad
Cost: None
The United States Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (USAAAO) offers a challenging platform for high school students interested in astronomy and astrophysics, matching the prestige of other international Olympiads. Participants are evaluated through rigorous exams that cover theoretical astrophysics, observational techniques, and celestial mechanics. These exams assess your understanding of mathematical modeling, scientific principles, and your ability to analyze real-world astronomical phenomena, emphasizing both knowledge depth and problem-solving skills.
The competition highlights not only your enthusiasm for exploring the universe but also your ability to apply complex theoretical and mathematical concepts to uncover celestial insights. Top performers in the USAAAO earn the esteemed opportunity to join the national team and represent the United States at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA). Success in the USAAAO showcases exceptional academic talent and a passion for exploring the mysteries of the cosmos.
6. International Research Olympiad (IRO)
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, and online
Eligibility: High school students worldwide who are 13-18 years old
Application Deadline: February 2025 (specific date not yet specified)
Dates/Duration:
March 2025 – Opens Round
April 2025 – Semifinals
May 2025 – Finals
Cost: $25 registration fee for the Opens round; subsequent rounds (Semifinals and Finals) are free for students.
The International Research Olympiad (IRO) is designed to develop and test your analytical and critical thinking abilities, preparing you to excel as a scientific researcher. This competition emphasizes big-picture thinking and the practical application of theoretical knowledge through three challenging rounds:
Opens Round: A virtual, multiple-choice exam that assesses your skills in analyzing research papers, interpreting scientific data, and formulating thoughtful inquiries.
Semifinals: The top 10% from the Opens round advance to this stage, where you tackle free-response questions judged by experienced researchers. This round focuses on effectively articulating and applying scientific concepts.
Finals: The top 20 competitors qualify for the in-person finals, competing for gold, silver, and bronze medals, as well as prizes and recognition for exceptional scientific insight and reasoning.
The IRO offers a unique platform to showcase and refine critical skills essential for future scientific exploration.
7. International Economics Olympiad (IEO)
Location: 2025 location not yet disclosed
Eligibility: High school students less than 20 years old and belonging to the participating countries
Application Deadline: Applications for organizations/countries close in January (early application) or April (late application). Students must win their national competitions to participate in the international olympiad.
Dates/Duration: July 2025 (tentatively, based on previous years)
Cost: Free for students. The host country or organizing committee covers all costs, including housing, transportation, and meals.
The International Economics Olympiad (IEO) offers a great opportunity for students passionate about economics, finance, and business to showcase their knowledge and skills. You begin by competing in local and national rounds, with top performers advancing to the international stage. Each year, the IEO brings together competitors from 45 countries and territories, with the endorsement of Eric Maskin, the 2007 Nobel Prize laureate in Economics.
The competition is divided into three key sections:
Economics: Comprising 20 multiple-choice questions and 5 open-ended questions to assess your theoretical understanding and problem-solving skills.
Financial Literacy: A test of 25 multiple-choice questions focused on financial concepts and practical knowledge.
Business: Teams present their solutions to business cases in English, evaluated by a panel of jurors.
The IEO concludes with rankings and awards, recognizing the achievements of outstanding teams. For students aiming to excel in these fields, the IEO offers a challenging platform and a valuable learning experience.
8. International Physics Olympiad (IPhO)
Location: Paris, France
Eligibility: High school students less than 20 years old and belonging to the participating countries
Application Deadline: Not available. Students must win their national competitions to participate in the international olympiad.
Dates/Duration: July 17 – 25, 2025
Cost: Free for students. The host country usually covers all costs, although students may have to pay for travel to and from the country
The International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) is a prestigious competition that brings together teams from over 80 countries. Each team consists of five students and two team leaders, selected through national competitions. The IPhO challenges you to demonstrate your expertise in both theoretical and experimental physics, as well as your skills in problem-solving, critical analysis, and presentation.
The competition lasts two days:
Theoretical Examination: A 5-hour test with three complex problems.
Experimental Examination: A hands-on evaluation involving 1-2 experiments, also lasting 5 hours.
After the exams, a panel of jurors evaluates the participants and awards gold, silver, and bronze medals to the top performers.
In addition to the exams, you will participate in a range of activities, including opening and closing ceremonies, social events, discussions, tours, and other cultural experiences, making the IPhO a unique blend of academic challenge and international camaraderie.
9. International History Olympiad (IHO)
Location: Paris, France
Eligibility: High school students with affiliations to a particular country or U.S. state
Application Deadline: Registration will open in Spring 2025
Dates/Duration: July 20 – 26, 2025
Cost: 2025 costs will be posted here once registration opens
The International History Olympiad (IHO), established in 2015, is a biennial competition that gathers history enthusiasts from around the world. You will qualify through preliminary exams before advancing to the final round, where you can demonstrate your knowledge across various historical disciplines, including art history, Catholic history, music history, South Asian history, historiography, American Indian history, Italian history, and other global themes. Reviewing past questions can provide helpful insight into the competition’s format.
The Olympiad includes a variety of events, such as buzzer-based quizzes, written exams, knockouts, Hextathlons, simulations, symposiums, and history bees. After the competitive rounds, winners receive awards and medals. Outside of the academic challenges, you will enjoy a range of social and cultural activities, including group meals, walking tours, games, field trips, and more, making for a memorable experience.
10. International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL)
Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Eligibility: High school students less than 20 years old and belonging to the participating countries
Application Deadline: The early bird application deadline is in February and the standard deadline is in May. Students must win their national competitions to participate in the international olympiad.
Dates/Duration: July 21 – 26, 2025
Cost: Free for students. National delegations and host organizations cover all costs, including housing, meals, and local transport.
The International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL), founded in 2003, challenges students to solve linguistic puzzles while exploring the structure, grammar, culture, and history of diverse languages. This prestigious competition introduces budding linguists to a broad range of languages and cultural nuances. Reviewing past problems can give you insight into the types of challenges you might encounter.
Each country sends 1-2 teams of four contestants to the event. Participants compete in two main rounds:
Individual Round: Solve five problems within a 6-hour timeframe.
Team Round: Collaborate on a single problem for 3-4 hours.
Top performers receive awards, including medals, trophies, and honorable mentions.
Beyond the competition, the event offers a rich cultural experience with activities like games, plays, cultural presentations, tours, gatherings, and celebratory events, encouraging both intellectual growth and international camaraderie.
Tyler Moulton is Head of Academics and Veritas AI Partnerships with 6 years of experience in education consulting, teaching, and astronomy research at Harvard and the University of Cambridge, where they developed a passion for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Tyler is passionate about connecting high-achieving students to advanced AI techniques and helping them build independent, real-world projects in the field of AI!
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