Best Olympiad Books & Study Materials for Students (2025 Guide)

Best Olympiad Books for Class 1

For the youngest learners, Olympiads should feel like play. The focus is on fundamentals, puzzles, and logical reasoning presented in an engaging way.

Some great books to start with are from MTG Learning Media, especially the SOF Olympiad Trainer and workbooks for NSO and IMO. These books are colorful, interactive, and designed to gently introduce problem-solving.

Another excellent choice is Arihant’s Bloom series. It keeps concepts simple, while encouraging kids to think critically. Parents often find these books easy to sit with their child and learn together.

Oswaal Books also has a “One for All Olympiad” series that includes solved papers. This gives kids early exposure to the type of questions Olympiads use.

Best Olympiad Books for Class 2–4

By Class 2, kids are ready to explore slightly more advanced puzzles, word problems, and science experiments. The idea is to nurture curiosity, not overwhelm.

MTG workbooks for IMO, NSO, and IEO are highly recommended. They align closely with SOF exam patterns and cover topics systematically.

The Bloom series by Arihant continues to be useful here. Each chapter has explanations followed by exercises, making it perfect for home study.

If your child enjoys practicing past questions, Oswaal’s solved papers are a great tool. Kids gain confidence when they see similar patterns repeating year after year.

Best Olympiad Books for Class 5–8

By middle school, Olympiad preparation moves beyond puzzles and into detailed theory.

Kids face a wider variety of problems, and practice becomes just as important as concepts.

For Mathematics, MTG’s IMO Workbook and Prep-Guide are excellent. They give structured practice and step-by-step explanations.

Disha Publication’s Olympiad Champs Mathematics is another parent favorite. It is known for its chapter-wise questions that include previous year problems. Kids get used to applying concepts in different ways.

Arihant Bloom Mathematics offers theory plus exercises, making it useful for both self-study and guided study.

For overall Olympiad prep in Science, English, and Math, MTG’s Olympiad Prep-Guide series is widely trusted. It covers NSO, IMO, and IEO, ensuring balanced preparation.

IMO Olympiad Books for Class 5

If your child is particularly preparing for IMO Class 5, here are some targeted picks:

• MTG IMO Workbook for practice.
• MTG Prep-Guide for explanations and strategy.
• Disha Olympiad Champs Mathematics for the previous year coverage.
• Arihant Bloom Mathematics for extra conceptual clarity.

These books help kids build speed, accuracy, and confidence with numbers.

Best Olympiad Books for Class 9–12

Olympiad preparation at this stage overlaps with competitive exams like JEE and NEET. Kids need books that provide deeper knowledge and problem-solving skills.

For Mathematics, classics like Challenge and Thrill of Pre-College Mathematics by V Krishnamurthy are outstanding. They push students to think beyond school-level questions.

An Excursion in Mathematics by M. R. Modak and S. A. Katre is another inspiring choice. It helps sharpen logical reasoning for higher-level contests.

For foundations, R.D. Sharma remains relevant. Kids can revise basics before tackling advanced Olympiad books.

For Science Olympiads, Concepts of Physics by H.C. Verma is a must-have. It explains concepts simply yet deeply.

Students preparing for NSO, NSEP, or NSEC also find Pathfinder for Olympiad and JEE Advanced (Physics) useful. Along with this, NCERT Class 11–12 textbooks should not be ignored, since they form the backbone of most Olympiad syllabi.

Best Olympiad Books for CBSE Students

If your child follows the CBSE curriculum, most Olympiad books are designed to complement NCERT textbooks. They take the same concepts and present them in problem-solving formats.

MTG and Oswaal Books are especially popular among CBSE students. MTG aligns directly with SOF Olympiad patterns. Oswaal provides solved papers that help kids see how theory turns into practice.

The best approach is to revise from NCERT first, then solve Olympiad-level questions to apply the learning. This ensures clarity and long-term retention.

Comparison of Major Publishers

When choosing books, it helps to know what each publisher does best.

MTG Learning Media is considered the gold standard for Olympiad prep. Their materials match SOF exam patterns, include workbooks, guides, and previous years’ papers. Parents love their wide variety of resources.

Arihant Publications offers the Bloom series, which explains theory first and then provides exercises. These books are well-rounded and cover many Olympiads beyond just SOF.

Oswaal Books are famous for their solved papers. If your child gains confidence from practicing past questions, these are a perfect fit.

Disha Publications shine with their chapter-wise question banks in the Olympiad Champs series. Parents who want systematic practice often choose these.

Pearson’s IIT Foundation Series deserves mention here, especially for Classes 6–10. It builds a rock-solid conceptual base in Math and Science that helps not only for Olympiads but also for later competitive exams.

Olympiad Exam Books PDF Free Download

Let’s be honest. As parents, we often search for free PDFs of Olympiad books. Full books are rarely available legally, since they are copyrighted. But don’t worry, there are safe and valuable free resources.

The official websites of Olympiad organizers like SOF and HBCSE provide free sample papers, past year papers, and syllabi. These are authentic and reliable.

Publisher websites also offer freebies. For example, MTG often gives free worksheets, sample chapters, and app-based quizzes.

You can also use smart Google searches. Try keywords like:

“SOF IMO class 5 sample paper pdf”

“NSO previous year papers with solutions”

“MTG free resources for Olympiad”

These searches often lead to official resources and safe downloads.

NSO Olympiad Study Material Online

For Science Olympiads like NSO, online practice material is a great supplement to books.

SOF’s official website provides NSO sample papers every year. Many educational platforms also offer practice tests designed around the NSO syllabus.

Parents who prefer digital learning can try MTG’s apps and e-books. Kids enjoy interactive formats, and it saves the hassle of carrying heavy books.

Related Reads

Check the Olympiad Exam Syllabus 2025–26 (Class 1–12 Guide)

Read the Step-by-step Olympiad Registration Guide 2025–26

Explore Natural Ways to Boost Brain Power & Immunity for Olympiad Prep

Final Tips for Parents

As parents, our role is to balance practice with encouragement. Olympiad exams are not only about medals. They are about nurturing curiosity, problem-solving, and resilience.

Start small. For younger kids, use fun books with puzzles. For older ones, introduce detailed guides and past papers.

Remember to celebrate small wins. Solving one tricky problem can be just as exciting as winning a medal.

With the right mix of books, practice, and positivity, Olympiad preparation becomes a journey your child will actually enjoy.

FAQs

1. Which book is best for Class 5 Olympiad preparation?

For Class 5, MTG’s Olympiad Workbooks and Oswaal’s One-for-All Olympiads are excellent. They cover reasoning, science, and mathematics with clear explanations, examples, and practice questions. Arihant’s Olympiad “Bloom” Series is also popular. Choose a book that balances concepts, exercises, and mock tests for well-rounded preparation.

2. Are free Olympiad books PDFs available online?

Yes, some free PDFs are available online, including sample papers and practice worksheets. However, official Olympiad preparation books from publishers like MTG, Oswaal, and Arihant are usually paid. Free resources can help kids practice, but structured books with solutions and explanations provide more reliable guidance for Olympiad success.

3. Which publisher is best for Olympiad books?

MTG, Oswaal, and Arihant are considered top publishers for Olympiad books. MTG offers subject-specific practice with past papers, Oswaal focuses on all-in-one compilations, and Arihant simplifies concepts with child-friendly explanations. The best choice depends on your child’s learning style, but MTG is widely recommended for systematic Olympiad preparation.

4. How should parents help kids with Olympiad books?

Parents can support by setting a consistent study routine, reviewing concepts together, and encouraging problem-solving rather than rote learning. They should track progress with mock tests, celebrate small achievements, and reduce pressure by making learning enjoyable. Creating a balance between schoolwork and Olympiad practice ensures steady improvement and confidence.