IMO Previous Year Question Papers for Classes 3 to 8

Author at PW
September 05, 2025
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IMO Previous Year Question Papers for Classes 3 to 8: The International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) is one of the most popular competitive exams for school students, designed to test their logical thinking and problem-solving skills. It is conducted for Classes 1 to 12, but for Classes 3 to 8, the exam mainly covers topics like number systems, algebra, geometry, data handling, measurements, and logical reasoning. 

The exam style is quite different from regular school exams as it focuses more on application-based questions rather than just theoretical knowledge. This is why practising IMO Previous Year Question Papers for Classes 3 to 8 becomes very important.

By solving IMO Previous Year Question Papers, students get familiar with the type of questions asked, the marking scheme, and the time management needed during the exam. Whether it is IMO Class 3 Previous Year Papers or Class 8 IMO Previous Year Papers, each set helps students understand their strengths and weak areas. 

Regular practice with these papers is important to boost confidence and improve accuracy. Students from classes 3 to 8 can find the IMO Previous Year Question Papers from the article below. Also, get the Olympiad Books below. 

IMO Previous Year Question Papers for Classes 3 to 8

The International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) for Classes 3 to 8 is conducted in a very structured way, where students answer on an OMR sheet instead of their regular notebooks. Each student is given a separate question paper, and every question has four options to choose from. They must carefully fill in the circle of the correct option on the OMR sheet using only a black or blue ballpoint pen, as instructed. 

It is important to follow the rules closely because if a circle is not completely filled or if more than one option is marked, that answer will be rejected. Reading the instructions given on the OMR sheet is therefore just as important as solving the questions. However, practising IMO Previous Year Question Papers for Classes 3 to 8 can help students get comfortable with both the exam format and the OMR sheet, making their preparation more effective. Get the PYQs link here.

IMO Previous Year Question Papers

IMO Previous Year Question Papers not only help students understand the exam pattern but also allow them to check if they can complete the entire paper within the given time limit. To make this easier, PW has brought together IMO Previous Year Question Papers for Classes 3 to 8 below. However, for class 8, PW will soon add IMO Class 8 Previous Year Papers:-

IMO Previous Year Question Papers for Classes 3 to 8

IMO Class 3 Previous Year Papers

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IMO Class 4 Previous Year Papers

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IMO Class 5 Previous Year Papers

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IMO Class 6 Previous Year Papers

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IMO Class 7 Previous Year Papers

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IMO Class 8 Previous Year Papers

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Olympiad Books

Along with IMO Previous Year Question Papers, students can also explore PW Olympiad books designed for different classes and subjects:

How to Use IMO Previous Year Question Papers?

Check how to prepare for IMO using the IMO Previous Year Question Papers here:- 

1. Start with the Syllabus

The first step before attempting any paper is to know what topics are included in the IMO syllabus. Every class, from 3 to 8, has a fixed set of chapters, and ignoring the syllabus can make preparation confusing.

  • Go through the official syllabus for your class carefully.

  • Make a list of easy topics and difficult ones.

  • Keep the syllabus handy while solving IMO Previous Year Question Papers to track which topics appear more often.

2. Understand the Exam Pattern

The Olympiad follows an objective-type pattern where each question has four options, and only one is correct. Practising past papers gives students clarity about how the exam works.

  • Check how many questions come from mathematics and logical reasoning.

  • Understand the weightage of marks across sections.

  • Use Class 7 IMO Previous Year Papers or Class 4 IMO Previous Year Papers to get a real idea of the structure.

3. Strengthen Core Concepts First

It’s not possible to solve Olympiad papers if basic concepts are weak. So before jumping into PYQs, students should revise all chapters thoroughly.

  • Revise formulas, definitions, and important theorems.

  • Work on solved examples in textbooks.

  • Once confident, move on to solving Class 5 IMO Previous Year Papers or higher-level questions.

4. Regular Practice with PYQs

Solving a paper once in a while is not enough. Consistency matters the most. Students should solve at least one paper every week to stay in practice.

  • Pick Class 3 IMO Previous Year Papers or Class 6 IMO Previous Year Papers as per your level.

  • Try to finish the paper within the actual exam time.

  • Review mistakes after finishing the test.

5. Focus on Speed 

In IMO, both speed and accuracy play an equally important role. Students must learn to answer correctly within a limited time.

  • Use a timer while solving IMO Class 7 Previous Year Papers.

  • Avoid guesswork because one wrong answer can affect the overall score.

  • Practice solving calculations faster with mental maths.

6. Learn from Mistakes and Revise

Making mistakes during practice is natural, but the key is to learn from them. Checking answers carefully after solving PYQs helps in identifying weak spots.

  • Write down the questions you got wrong in a separate notebook.

  • Note the reason for each mistake, whether it was a formula error or a miscalculation.

  • Revise these mistakes before attempting the next set of IMO Previous Year Question Papers.

7. Combine with Notes and Books

Apart from PYQs, short notes and reference books help in quick revision. Students can also explore Olympiad-specific books for extra practice, such as those from PW.

  • Make small notes while solving questions.

  • Write down formulas and shortcuts in a separate notebook.

  • If needed, use Olympiad books along with Class 8 IMO Previous Year Papers for more practice.

Read More: IMO Exam 2025-26 Eligibility Criteria and Age Limit

IMO Previous Year Question Papers FAQs

Q1. Why are IMO Previous Year Question Papers important for preparation?

Practising IMO Previous Year Question Papers helps students understand the exam format, marking style, and the type of logical and maths-based questions asked. 

Q2. Do IMO Previous Year Question Papers follow the actual exam style?

Yes, they closely reflect the actual paper. The format, question types, and difficulty level in IMO Previous Year Question Papers are similar to what students will face in the Olympiad exam.

Q3. How do PYQs help with time management?

When students practise past papers, they get to check if they can complete the paper within the given time.

Q4. Can I rely only on IMO Previous Year Question Papers for preparation?

While PYQs are extremely useful, students should also revise the syllabus thoroughly and practise with Olympiad books.

Q5. How often should students solve IMO Previous Year Question Papers?

It is good to practise at least one paper every week. Regular solving of PYQs helps students stay in touch with concepts and improve problem-solving skills.

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IMO Previous Year Question Papers for Classes 3 to 8