The Olympiads in the United States are thrillingly intense and challenging academic competitions where high school students have the chance to prove their exceptional talents in specialized subjects, including mathematics, computer science, physics, astronomy, chemistry, biology, linguistics, and history. (There are more, but these are the most popular subjects, and they’re the ones I’ll detail in this article—keep reading!) The Olympiads involve a series of increasingly difficult tests, where the ultimate goal is to excel through each of these testing stages and qualify for a prized spot on the associated, highly selective national or international Olympiad team. At each round, you must score high enough to earn an invitation to the next stage; otherwise, you're eliminated, and your scores remain final.

The competitions are typically organized in the following progressive structure:

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• School or local-level competitions
• Regional competitions
• National selection tests
• Training camps for national team selection
• International Olympiad participation

Why might I want to participate in the Olympiads?

There are many reasons to participate in Olympiads beyond just proving your academic abilities to yourself:

1. Strong Olympiad test scores and performances provide tangible, empirical evidence of your skills, which colleges highly value, helping you stand out if you excel! Since Olympiads are standardized and outside of school, a good score can really encourage colleges to trust that you have the abilities you claim on your applications.
2. At every stage, and especially at the later, more selective stages, the Olympiads offer an exciting opportunity to connect with driven, intellectually curious individuals and join a community of peers who are as passionate about academic excellence as you are.
3. Simply put, challenging yourself by participating in tests like the Olympiads can only benefit you. It helps you build the skills and mindset needed for the rigorous testing and similar academic demands of college.

When do they start? What do I need to do to participate?

The Olympiads begin with local or regional rounds in late fall/early winter. National or international finals typically take place in the spring and sometimes culminate in international competitions during the summer if you qualify. Registration for these first exams must be finalized by the late fall; check the official pages for the Olympiads you’re interested in. There are no academic prerequisites required to register for the first round of testing for any of the Olympiads–no minimum grade requirements, no prior testing experience, nothing like that. So long as you are within the appropriate age range for a specific competition and can afford the initial registration fee, if there is one, you can give the first exam your best shot–this is great!

Major Olympiad Programs in the United States:

1. Math (IMO)

The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is perhaps the most prestigious and well-known academic Olympiad in the world. In the United States, the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) manages the selection process for the U.S. team at the IMO through the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) series.

The road to the IMO begins with either the AMC 10 or AMC 12 test, depending on a student’s age and capabilities. (These exams are regionally administered and can be taken at participating schools across the United States.) The highest scorers from each exam are then invited to sit the same American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). The top scorers from the AIME are then invited to take the USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO) or the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), depending on whether they originally took the AMC 10 or AMC 12. Finally, the highest scorers from those exams are invited to the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program (MOSP) for training, ultimately leading to the selection of the United States team for the IMO.

2. Computer Science (USACO)

The United States of America Computing Olympiad (USACO) is the leading competition for high school students in computer science and algorithmic programming in the United States. The competition is administered by USACO, with contests held online throughout the spring at four distinct divisions: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Following these exams, students sit the US Open, the most important of these initial exams, which serves as the national championship exam.

From the results of these exams, with particular attention given to the US Open, USACO selects approximately two dozen top-scoring students to participate in a rigorous academic training camp hosted at Clemson University. From those two dozen, four students are selected to represent the United States at the prestigious International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) competition.

3. Physics (IPhO)

The International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) is the leading annual international physics competition for high school students. Each year, the U.S. Physics Team, managed by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and the American Institute of Physics (AIP), recruits students to represent the United States at the IPhO through a series of exams and training.

The road to the IPhO begins with the F=ma exam, an intense physics exam that tests students’ knowledge of mechanics. The highest scorers from that exam are then invited to sit the USA Physics Team Exam. Top scorers from this exam are then invited to the Physics Team Training Camp, where they receive specialized instruction to prepare for the IPhO.

4. Astronomy (IOAA)

The International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) is the leading global competition for students in astronomy and astrophysics. The U.S. Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (USAAAO) holds two rounds of proctored exams each year to select top students for the U.S. team, which competes at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA).

The U.S. Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (USAAAO) is a competition for high school students that tests knowledge in astronomy and astrophysics through written exams and observational tasks, with top scorers advancing to the U.S. team for the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA).

5. Chemistry (IChO)

The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) is the leading global competition for students in chemistry. In the United States, the American Chemical Society (ACS) manages the selection process for the U.S. team.

The road to the IChO begins with the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) program, which has four tiers. It starts with local Chemistry Olympiad exams. Top performers from these local exams are selected to take the National Chemistry Olympiad exam. The highest-scoring students then attend a two-week study camp, where they receive intense training before the final selection of four team members who will represent the U.S. at the IChO is made.

6. Biology (IBO)

The International Biology Olympiad (IBO) is the leading global competition for students in biology. In the United States, the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) manages the selection process for the U.S. team through the USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) program.

The road to the IBO begins with an online open exam, followed by an online semifinal exam for the top scorers. Students advancing from the semifinals then compete in the national finals held in-person at participating universities, where the best performers are selected for the U.S. team. The team members then undergo intensive training to prepare for the IBO, where they represent the United States in the global competition.

7. Linguistics (IOL)

The International Olympiad of Linguistics (IOL) is the leading global competition for students in linguistics. In North America, the North American Computational Linguistics Open Competition (NACLO) serves as the qualifying event. The competition begins with an online open round, followed by an online invitation round for top scorers. The highest performers are selected for the U.S. team, which then undergoes training before competing at the IOL.

8. History (IHO)

The International Olympiad of History (IHO) is the leading global competition for students in history. In the United States, students can qualify for the IHO through strong performances in the National History Bee and Bowl, the U.S. History Bee, or by taking the International History Olympiad Qualifying Exam. Students who perform well in these events are selected to compete in the U.S. team, representing the country at the IHO.

Preparation and resources

Excellent performance and success in Olympiads require intense forethought and preparation beyond your average high school coursework. The good news is that you can create an effective study plan using free and/or paid resources.

Past exams are your most valuable study tool, and you can find these on official Olympiad websites. Start by taking one exam under timed conditions to see how you perform. Attempt to understand where you stand; determine which subjects you must study to improve your test performance, and find outside resources beyond the practice exams themselves to work on these subjects. Don't rely solely on practice exams to guide your studying; save a few recent ones for later to simulate test conditions. This way, as competition day approaches, you'll have fresh material to practice taking under proper testing conditions when you need it most.

Moreover, online communities, educational YouTube channels, and specialized forums offer extensive resources for Olympiad preparation. While these free materials are often sufficient, students may choose to enhance their studying via private tutoring or related summer camps and university workshops in their fields.

The best time to start is now!

The Olympiads offer exciting and extraordinary opportunities for high school students to challenge themselves, develop advanced academic skills, and compete at the highest levels in their chosen fields. While the competition is certainly intense and the preparation can be extraordinarily demanding, the rewards – from enhanced college prospects to lifelong friendships with fellow participants – make the effort worthwhile.

For students interested in and excited by the challenge of pursuing Olympiad competitions, the best time to start is now! Begin by identifying the Olympiads in which you are both strong and interested, and register for the first round of competitions. From there, in preparation, you can begin to peruse past exams and review available study resources. I’d highly recommend creating a weekly schedule to ensure you consistently dedicate time to preparing for the competition.

Remember that success in Olympiads isn't solely measured by medals won – the knowledge gained, skills developed, and connections made throughout the journey provide lasting benefits for academic and professional careers. Good luck, enjoy the exploration, and happy test-taking!