INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE OLYMPIAD (ICO)

The SOF ICO (International Commerce Olympiad) is conducted in association with The Institute of Company Secretaries of India, under the administrative control of The Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Benefits of ICO Olympiad Exam

Self-realization of potential and aptitude to take up the career decision.

ICO has only one level for exam and conducted in the respective schools of the participants during school hours.

There are 50 objective-type (Multiple Choice) questions for class 11 to class 12 of 60 minutes duration.
The question paper consists of four sections:
- Section 1: Economics
- Section 2: Business Studies
- Section 3: Accountancy
- Section 4: Achievers Section
SOF conducts exam on two dates and each school may select a date for conducting the ICO as per their convenience. Question paper is different for each date of exam. SOF does not permit the change of date for conducting the exam.
Question paper is different for each date of exam.
English is the Medium of the test.
Test paper are prepared based on CBSE, ICSE/ISC and State Board syllabus.

How to participate

Registration of Students

Student of class 11th and 12th can participate in the exam.

Any school can be registered themselves as a center for SOF ICO Level 1 and there is no fee for the institution to become a registered examination centre.

Mark Distribution

Classes 11–12

Section	No. of Questions	Marks per Question	Total Marks
Economics	15	1	15
Business Studies	15	1	15
Accountancy	15	1	15
Achievers Section	5	3	15
Total	50	—	60

Awards

To know about the awards and recognition received by the participants, please click here.

FAQs

What is SOF ICO?

The SOF International Commerce Olympiad (ICO) is a commerce competition conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) for students of Classes 11 and 12. It helps students strengthen their understanding of commerce subjects, business concepts, and analytical skills.

Who can participate in SOF ICO?

Students studying in Classes 11 and 12 with Commerce as their stream can participate in the SOF ICO through their school. Schools register interested students for the exam.

What is the syllabus for SOF ICO?

The SOF ICO syllabus is based on the Class 11 and Class 12 Commerce curriculum followed by CBSE and other recognized boards. It covers topics from Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, Logical Reasoning, and the Achievers Section.

Is there a Level 2 in SOF ICO?

No. SOF ICO has only one level of examination. Students of Classes 11 and 12 appear for Level 1, and there is no Level 2 for this Olympiad.

How are SOF ICO rankings decided?

SOF ICO rankings are based on the total marks scored in the exam. If two or more students score the same marks, SOF uses a tie-breaking process by comparing marks in important sections of the paper to determine the final rankings fairly.

How should students prepare for SOF ICO?

Students should begin by thoroughly studying their textbooks. They should also solve sample papers, previous years' question papers, and mock tests to improve their understanding, accuracy, and time management.

How will SOF ICO help students in the future?

SOF ICO helps students build a strong foundation in commerce and business concepts. It improves analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, which are valuable for higher studies, competitive exams, and careers in fields such as Accounting, Finance, Business Management, Economics, Banking, and Entrepreneurship.