Class 1
Number detectives, adding and subtracting, patterns, shapes, measurement, time, money and picture reasoning.
MATHS OLYMPIAD · CLASS 1–5
IMO preparation for Class 1 to 5
A maths olympiad rewards clear thinking more than speed or tricks. This guide shows the topics worth practising, a routine that fits a school week, and where to find original IMO-style practice.
What olympiad maths looks like
Questions are usually multiple choice and sit just beyond the school textbook. Most test the same ideas as class maths in a less familiar form: a pattern to continue, a picture to read, a puzzle with several clues. Many also include logical or reasoning questions with little arithmetic.
Syllabus and exam format differ between organisers and change from year to year, so check the current official syllabus for the exam your child will sit.
Topics to practise, by class
These are the chapters in Otterly’s original practice. Each links to sample questions at three levels, with hints and worked answers.
Class 2
Numbers, mission mathematics, codes and patterns, geometry, measurement, time, money and data.
Class 3
Adds fractions, shapes and reflections, and a logic chapter to the Class 2 topics.
Class 4
Fractions, perimeter and symmetry, measurement, time, data and logic puzzles.
Class 5
Fractions, decimals, area, perimeter and angles, measurement, data and logic.
PP1 and PP2
Play-based readiness: counting, patterns, shapes, sorting and position. Not an exam level.
A simple weekly routine
- Two short chapter sessions (15 minutes each). Pick one chapter. Read the worked answer first if the idea is new.
- One reasoning session. Logic and picture puzzles build the habit of reading every clue.
- One mixed set. Questions from several chapters, so your child has to decide what kind of problem it is.
- A short talk. Ask: “How did you work that out?” Explaining an answer matters more than getting it right quickly.
Move up a level only when the current one feels comfortable. Use hints freely; a hint is part of learning.
Frequently asked questions
When should a child start IMO preparation?
Start with school maths. Once a child is comfortable with the current class topics, add a few short olympiad-style puzzles each week. Pre-primary children can practise counting, patterns and shapes through play.
How much time does a child need?
Short and regular works better than long and rare. Three or four sessions of 15 to 20 minutes a week is a sensible start for primary classes.
Is Otterly Games affiliated with SOF or any olympiad organiser?
No. All questions are original Otterly practice. They are not official papers and no organiser endorses them. Space Academy does not cover every published topic, so use it alongside classroom teaching.
Are the practice questions timed?
Space Academy practice papers are untimed so children can think without pressure. See the practice paper guide for adding a timer at home.
Start practising
Original Otterly practice, not an official exam. Progress stays on this browser.