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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 do students need to know for the Australian Science Olympiads?
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 to go next
The science olympiad path starts well before the senior papers. These are the rungs below it.
Foundation
JSO Foundation
Lessons
30 lessons
Learning time
35–45 hrs
Difficulty
Year group
Y7–8
Best for
- New to science olympiad
- Strong ICAS or Big Science result
By the end: Solid across biology, chemistry, physics and earth science fundamentals.
A$299 one-time
Try 3 lessons freeFull curriculum & details →Advanced
JSO Advanced
Lessons
29 lessons
Learning time
35–45 hrs
Difficulty
Year group
Y7–8
Best for
- Finished Foundation or already scoring well
- Aiming at JSO selection
By the end: Able to handle multi-step olympiad science problems under time pressure.
A$299 one-time
Try 3 lessons freeFull curriculum & details →Acceleration
Y9-10 Chemistry Acceleration
Lessons
30 lessons
Learning time
35–45 hrs
Difficulty
Year group
Y9–10
Best for
- Wants a head start on senior chemistry
- Preparing for Chemistry Olympiad
By the end: Stage 5 chemistry complete, with the groundwork for olympiad problems.
A$369 one-time
Try 3 lessons freeFull curriculum & details →Acceleration
Y9-10 Physics Acceleration
Lessons
45 lessons
Learning time
45–60 hrs
Difficulty
Year group
Y9–10
Best for
- Heading toward senior physics or olympiad
- Wants depth, not revision
By the end: Stage 5 physics complete, with olympiad-style reasoning built in.
A$399 one-time
Try 3 lessons freeFull curriculum & details →Which questions carry the marks in the Science Olympiad exams?
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
How should students prepare for the Australian Science Olympiads?
Preparation runs in three stages: build a solid foundation, then learn by topic and question type, then mock exam and targeted practice.
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.