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Australian Science Olympiads 2026 Dates, Format and Preparation Guide
The Australian Science Olympiad Exams are senior discipline exams across Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, and Physics. They are among the most demanding science competition pathways for school students.
What is this exam?
Australian Science Olympiad Exams
The Australian Science Olympiad Exams are senior discipline exams across Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, and Physics. They are among the most demanding science competition pathways for school students.
Use this page to turn exam information into a clear preparation decision for your child.
Exam date
27-30 July 2026
Registration
Exam window 27-30 July 2026. Confirm registration instructions through the ASI Teacher Portal or your school.
Year levels
Years 9-12
Official institute
Australian Science Innovations
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
Discipline-specific science depth.Data interpretation, models and multi-step reasoning.Application of concepts in unfamiliar exam contexts.
Preparation focus
Choose one discipline to deepen rather than preparing superficially for all disciplines.Build mechanism explanations, not just notes.Practise past-style snippets and review the reasoning behind errors.
Format and focus
Where marks, difficulty and preparation effort usually concentrate
Focus 1
Discipline-specific science depth.
Science
Focus 2
Data interpretation, models and multi-step reasoning.
Science
Focus 3
Application of concepts in unfamiliar exam contexts.
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.
Which subject should my child choose?
Biology suits students who enjoy systems, cells, genetics and ecology. Chemistry suits students comfortable with atoms, bonding, reactions and quantitative reasoning. Physics suits students who enjoy mathematical modelling, motion, forces, energy and circuits. Earth and Environmental Science suits students who enjoy Earth systems, geology, climate and environmental data.
Internal resources
Questions parents ask
FAQ
When are ASO exams in 2026?
The exams run from Monday 27 July to Thursday 30 July 2026.
Which subjects are offered?
Physics, Biology, Earth and Environmental Science, and Chemistry.
How long is each ASO exam?
Each exam is two hours.
Who is eligible?
ASI indicates the exams are for Australian high school students, ideally Years 9-12.
Should my child do JSO before ASO?
For many students, yes. JSO builds useful broad science reasoning before ASO.