What Rounds Are Included in the AMSIO International Olympiad Format? AMSIO 2026–2027 is organized into three consecutive rounds: State Round → National Round → International Final Round Students begin with the State Round. Those who meet the required performance criteria may continue to the National Round, while selected high-performing participants can later be nominated for the International Final Round. This structure allows students to progress step by step instead of entering an international-level competition immediately. Along the way, they can become familiar with the competition, understand their current abilities, and gain experience before moving on to more challenging stages.

Round 1 – State Round: The Starting Point The State Round is expected to take place in December 2026 and is open to all participants who have completed registration. Depending on the organization in each country or region, the competition may be conducted on paper or online. For many students, this will be their first experience with the AMSIO exam format during the 2026–2027 cycle. According to the AMSIO competition structure, the top 60% of participants in the State Round will be eligible to advance to the National Round. Achievements at this stage are recognized as follows: Gold Certificate: Top 10% Silver Certificate: Next 20% Bronze Certificate: Next 30% Certificate of Participation: All registered participants One important point to note is that Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards at the State Round are Achievement Band Certificates, rather than physical medals.

Round 2 – National Round: Competing at the National Level Students who qualify from the first stage will continue to the National Round, expected to take place in March 2027. While the State Round is open to all registered participants, the National Round brings together students who have already passed an initial selection stage. As a result, the level of competition naturally becomes more demanding. Like the State Round, the National Round may be conducted on paper or online, depending on the format determined in each country. At this stage, student achievements are recognized with physical medals: Gold Medal: Top 6% Silver Medal: Next 12% Bronze Medal: Next 18% Certificate of Participation: All National Round participants The National Round is also an important milestone because its results are used to identify students who may be nominated for the International Final Round. According to the expected timeline, the announcement of selected participants for the international stage is scheduled for April 2027.

Round 3 – International Final Round: Entering the Global Stage The final stage of the 2026–2027 competition cycle is the International Final Round, expected to be held in the United States in June 2027. This round is designed for participants nominated from the National Round. However, the International Final Round is not only about sitting an exam. The program is expected to include a range of activities such as: Academic Competition: International academic examination Cultural Exchange: Opportunities to connect with students from different countries STEM Workshop: Hands-on science and technology activities Campus & City Tour: Visits to universities and selected locations in the United States Gala Awards Ceremony: Closing celebration and awards presentation For students, this means the final round offers both an academic challenge and the opportunity to meet peers from different countries and educational backgrounds.

How Are Achievements Recognized Across the Three Rounds? As students progress through AMSIO, the way their achievements are recognized also changes. The journey begins with achievement certificates, moves to national medals, and can lead to international awards.

State Round: Recognition Through Achievement Certificates At the State Round, Gold, Silver, and Bronze results are awarded in the form of certificates. This gives students a clearer reference point for understanding their performance within the wider group of participants, rather than looking only at an individual test score.

National Round: Physical Medals Are Introduced At the National Round, Gold, Silver, and Bronze achievements are recognized with physical medals. This is one of the clearest differences between the first two stages. Students at this level have already passed the State Round and are now competing within a more selective group of participants.

International Final Round: Broader International Recognition At the International Final Round, the award structure includes: Gold Medal: Top 10% Silver Medal: Next 20% Bronze Medal: Next 30% International Certificate: All International Final Round participants In addition to medals, AMSIO also includes special awards such as the Excellence Cup, Champion Cup, and National Team Cup for outstanding individual or team achievements.

AMSIO 2026–2027 Timeline Parents and students can follow the AMSIO journey through four key milestones: Expected Time Stage Main Information December 2026 State Round All registered participants enter the first round March 2027 National Round Top 60% from the State Round advance April 2027 National Team Announcement Selected participants for the international stage are announced June 2027 International Final Round International final held in the United States

Looking at the timeline, AMSIO is clearly more than a single exam day. The competition takes place over several months, with each stage preparing students for the next level.

What Does the 3-Round Structure Offer Students? One of the benefits of a multi-round structure is that students can progress gradually rather than entering a highly competitive international round from the beginning.

Time to Learn, Adjust, and Improve After Each Stage The State Round may be the first AMSIO experience for many students. After completing it, they have a better understanding of the exam format, time management, and overall level of challenge. By the time they reach the National Round, students are no longer completely unfamiliar with the competition. They also have an opportunity to reflect on what they did well and where they may need to improve. For those who advance to the International Final Round, the experience becomes broader again as they enter an environment that brings together students from different countries and education systems.

The Journey Is About More Than Medals Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards are meaningful milestones, but they are not the only value students can gain from the competition. At each stage, students have opportunities to test their thinking skills, respond to new challenges, and build experience in an academic competition environment. For those reaching the final round, the journey can also include international exchange, STEM activities, and cultural experiences. So instead of asking only, “What medal did you win?”, parents may also consider another question: “What did you learn and how did you improve through each round?”

Conclusion The AMSIO 2026–2027 competition format includes three main rounds: the State Round in December 2026, the National Round in March 2027, and the International Final Round in the United States in June 2027. Students begin in a round open to all registered participants and can gradually progress to national and international levels when they meet the criteria for each stage. As the level of challenge increases, the recognition system also develops from achievement certificates to physical medals and international awards. More than three separate competitions, these rounds form a connected journey. Each stage gives students a new opportunity to challenge themselves, understand their abilities, and take another step forward in their academic development.