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Computer Science / AIO
Australian Informatics Olympiad 2026 Dates, Format and Preparation Guide
The Australian Informatics Olympiad is suited to students with real programming fluency who are ready for algorithmic problem solving in code.
What is this exam?
Australian Informatics Olympiad
The Australian Informatics Olympiad is suited to students with real programming fluency who are ready for algorithmic problem solving in code.
Use this page to turn exam information into a clear preparation decision for your child.
Exam date
27 August 2026
Registration
Entries close 21 August 2026.
Year levels
Years 7-12
Official institute
Australian Maths Trust
Key date timeline
Now
Read the official guide
Check whether the exam is appropriate for the student.
Next
Download the free sheet
Use it as a parent-friendly preparation checklist.
Then
Choose one preparation focus
Foundation, advanced question types or mock exam readiness.
Content map
What students should be ready to use
Core focus
Programming in Python, Java, C or C++.Algorithms, cases, constraints and efficiency.Olympiad-style coding under time pressure.
Preparation focus
Be fluent in one programming language before entering.Practise reading constraints and designing algorithms first.Review failed submissions by logic error, implementation error and edge case.
Format and focus
Where marks, difficulty and preparation effort usually concentrate
Focus 1
Programming in Python, Java, C or C++.
Computer Science
Focus 2
Algorithms, cases, constraints and efficiency.
Computer Science
Focus 3
Olympiad-style coding under time pressure.
Computer Science
AceAchievers preparation pathway
Recommended Study Plan
Build a solid foundation
Make sure the core school skills behind this competition are stable before moving into harder questions.
Learn by topic and question type
Practise the topic patterns and question types that appear most often in this competition.
Mock exam and targeted practice
Use timed mocks to find weak areas, then practise those exact topics deliberately.
Who should enter?
AIO suits students who already have programming experience, can write code in Python 3, C, C++ or Java, enjoy algorithmic puzzles, and are comfortable debugging under time pressure.
It is not ideal as a first coding experience. Students should already understand variables, loops, conditionals, arrays or lists, functions and basic input/output.
AIO vs CAT
The Computational and Algorithmic Thinking competition can be attempted without programming experience. AIO is different: students need to code. If the student is new to algorithms, CAT or coding foundations may come first. If the student already codes, AIO is the more serious challenge.
Internal resources
Questions parents ask
FAQ
When is AIO in 2026?
AIO is scheduled for Thursday 27 August 2026.
When do AIO entries close?
Entries close on Friday 21 August 2026.
What languages are allowed?
C, C++, Java and Python 3.
Does AIO require coding experience?
Yes. Students must submit source code.
Is AIO the same as CAT?
No. CAT focuses on computational thinking without requiring coding; AIO is a programming competition.