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Well, many people have been asking me for this, so here's the

post for Olympiads. But let me tell you few things-


1. I have never made it to any International
Olympiads, but I have reached the OCSC(final team
selection rounds) in Junior Science and Junior
Astronomy Olympiads (in 2014) and Senior Astronomy
Olympiad(in 2017). However, I didn't attend the OCSC
in class 12.
2. I had a pretty good performance in the NSEs(I have
cleared NSEJS and NSEC once, NSEA twice(was in
the national top 5 both times), and NSEP thrice.
3. The subject I was best prepared in was Physics, but
I could not clear INPhO in any year. Reason being
mistakes which I'll tell you below. And the subject in
which I did the best was Astronomy in which I had
zero preparations. I'll tell you about the NSEs and then
will tell you about INOs, and then will tell you the
mistakes I made, which prevented me from going to the
IOs.
4. I have searched the web and came up with the latest
and best editions of the books. These books are widely
used and are the best. Do solve them, they will help
you. I have added links to the best deal for your
convenience. You can order the books you like.
1. Junior Science Olympiad
Well this a real tough nut, and this exam was the exam I
worked the hardest for. It's tough due to two reasons-1. Huge
syllabus 2. Lack of guidance. But still, contract to my belief I
was able to make it to the top 35, which changed my life
completely.
First thing is that you have a better chance if you start
preparing much before NSEJS(at least 6 months).
For Biology, complete class 9–10 NCERT in a week, and then
jump to class 11–12 NCERT. Find out the important topics by
seeing past papers, and do them well. Understand everything
well and learn stuff when you need to(biology requires it). I
remember completing 75% of the books before NSEJS, and
90% before INJSO. Genetics and Ecology are important and
scoring.
For Physics, stick to HC Verma. It will help you in two ways-
1. Make you invincible when it comes to JSO physics. 2.
Build a solid foundation for NSEP/JEE. I remember
completing 40% HCV before NSEJS, and 90% before INJSO.
It's easy to grasp and will cover everything from the start till
the end for JSO. But again, this is only after you are well
versed with all concepts till class 10.
Mathematics- Don't know what to say. I did everything till
class 11 NCERT, but I'd suggest a more RMO-kind
preparation. Better solve your coaching module(I solved
Resonance's , but every coaching has a good JSO pack) for
Maths.
For chemistry, don't touch organic chemistry at all, it wasn't
asked in any form when I appeared for the exam. NCERT(11
the for stage 1, and both 11th and 12th for stage 2) for
Inorganic and Physical. Practice some physical chemistry
questions from P. Bahadur or R.C. Mukherjee.
Solve past year IJSO papers for OCSC preparations. This was
a huge mistake in my case. I didn't solve papers. Apart from
that nothing is required for OCSC. Revise INJSO syllabus
well, and listen to the lectures carefully. And most
importantly- DON'T LOSE HOPE. When you attend Junior
Science OCSC, you would be among top 35 students of India.
And I was from a small city where I was the only topper. I
thought that I won't make it. And in the end I realized that I
was very close to the top 6(based on my marks). I regretted it
a lot. Just study well and believe in yourself.

You can order books for IJSO here-

             

Do check and see which books suit you before getting


overwhelmed by the number.
2. Physics Olympiad
Well for NSE, HCV+ past papers+ a good objective question
practice(preferable to solve an IITJEE coaching module). For
INPhO, past papers+ Irodov. I failed in INPhO phone both
times due to mistakes(in graph scales, and calculations).
Avoid mistakes and you are done. Nothing much. Some good
books-

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