The Toughest Science Olympiad

  • An inaugural science competition for high schoolers and college students hosted online.
  • There are 5 MCQ (multiple choice) questions from each of the following 5 topics: Math, Physics, Chemistry, Astrophysics, and Information Technology. Each correct MCQ answer is worth 6 points, each unanswered MCQ question is worth 1.5 point, incorrect MCQ answer is worth 0 point.
  • There is 1 FRQ (free response) question from each of the following 5 topics: Math, Physics, Chemistry, Astrophysics, and Information Technology. Each correct FRQ answer is worth 12 points, each unanswered FRQ question is worth 3 point, incorrect FRQ answer is worth 0 point. The FRQ answers are numerical, an answer within 3% of the reference answer is considered correct.
  • There are 25 MCQ questions (1-25) and 5 FRQ questions (26-30) in total with a perfect score of 210 points.
  • Syllabi: Algebra, Geometry, Probability and Combinatorials, Number Theory, Single Variable Calculus, AP Physics 1,2,C, AP Chemistry, Fundamentals of Astrophysics and Astronomy, C++, Python, Windows/Linux Operating Systems, and Machine Learning. Check out a sample problem set with solution. The difficulty is similar to the sample problem set this year.
  • The top 10% students will be recognized with top 10 students winning a prize. The prize pool will be based on the total available fund for the competition. In the case there is a tie, correct answers to statistically harder problems will be used to break ties.
  • We are looking for sponsorship, please use the donation form to help. Thank you!
  • The exam date is 5/20/2025 at 8pm EST. Registration is open.
  • Read the exam logistics. Login for the exam.

This is an online exam for individual participants only. Total Time of the exam is 2 hours.

Only pre-college students living in the United States are eligible for prize. If you are already in college, you can still participate but you cannot win any prize.

You may not use any external resources or have any external help during the exam.

To maintain the integrity of the online exam and prevent any form of cheating, participants must adhere to the following requirements:

  • A camera must be active continuously throughout the entire test-taking process, capturing a clear view of the participant and their workspace. Recording of the participant taking the exam and photon ID of the participant may be requested. Failure to supply requested recording in timely manner will result in disqualification and forfeiture of any prizes. Abnormal behavior in the recording may result in disqualification and forfeiture of any prizes.
  • All work, including scratch paper must be labelled with participant's name and emailed as clear PDFs or images in a single zip file to mindquest2018@gmail.com within 1 hour of completing the exam. You may email your file multiple times within the 30 minutes window. Failure to submit your work timely will result in disqualification and forfeiture of any prizes.
  • Only a non-programmable calculator is allowed for the exam. Programmable calculator such as TI-84 is not allowed.

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