All-Russian School Olympiad 2025-2026: dates, prizes, how to participate and prepare

In September, the All—Russian Olympiad of Schoolchildren for the 2025-2026 academic year starts - the main intellectual competition for school students. Thousands of talented students from all over the country are expected to take part in the large-scale competition. The competition will be held in 24 subjects and will include several stages. The winners and prize-winners will receive valuable prizes, university admission benefits, and scholarships. For more information about the terms, rules of participation, and specifics of training, see the Izvestia article.

What is the All-Russian School Olympiad?

The All—Russian School Olympiad (VSOSH) is the largest intellectual competition among students from 4th to 11th grade. The competition is aimed at identifying and supporting gifted children, developing their creative and research abilities.

The Higher School of Economics covers more than 20 school subjects and consists of four stages. The school and municipal stages are supervised by local education authorities. The regional stage is under the jurisdiction of the regional authorities, which ensure that competitions are held at the level of the country's constituent entities. The final stage is organized and supervised by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.

What subjects are the subjects of the All-Russian Olympiad?

The All-Russian School Olympiad is held in 24 general education subjects, covering a wide range of school curricula and allowing students to show their knowledge and abilities in various fields. Key subjects include:

— mathematics and Russian language;

— Foreign languages (English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Italian);

— computer science, physics, chemistry, biology, ecology;

— Geography and astronomy;

— literature, history, art (world art culture);

— Social studies, economics, law;

— physical education;

— labor (technology), the basics of homeland security and defense.

Each student can choose a subject that suits their interests and level of education, and take part in the Olympiad in their specialty.

Dates of the Olympiad in the 2025/2026 academic year

The All-Russian School Olympiad is held annually from September to June, with each stage held within a strictly defined time frame. The school stage in 2025 will be held from September 16 to October 24. Its duration depends on the subject and will range from 45 minutes to 4.5 hours.

The municipal stage will be held from November to December 2025. The winners and prize-winners of the school stage participate in it. The time to complete the tasks of the municipal stage varies from 2 to 4.5 hours, depending on the discipline.

The regional stage is scheduled for January—February 2026. The strongest students who have overcome the municipal stage compete at this level. The duration of the tasks also depends on the subject and ranges from 3-5 hours.

The final stage will take place in March—April 2026. This is the final, which brings together the winners and prize-winners of the regional stage who have overcome the required passing score. Depending on the subject, this stage may include one, two or three rounds, each of which is held on a separate day.

The detailed schedule of the stages may vary, but the main dates and structure of the Olympiad remain unchanged.

Who can participate in the Olympiad

The event is intended for elementary, primary and secondary school students from 4th to 11th grade. However, the rules for admission to the stages vary depending on age and school level.

Elementary school students can participate in the Olympiad in only two subjects — Russian and mathematics. Starting from 5th grade, students have the opportunity to participate in all subjects of the Olympiad, but only as part of the school stage.

Starting from the 7th grade, students are allowed to participate in the municipal stage. To reach this level, you must successfully complete the school stage and score a minimum passing grade.

From the 9th grade, students receive the right to compete in the regional and final stages — the most difficult and responsible. The strongest participants from different regions of Russia meet at these levels. The regional stage serves as a selection for the final stage, where winners and prize-winners compete.

Students can also complete tasks designed for older grades. For example, a fifth grader can participate in the regional stage by completing assignments for ninth graders if they have successfully completed the school and municipal stages at this level.

What do the winners and prize-winners of the Olympiad get?

A victory or a prize-winning place in the final stage of the All-Russian School Olympiad opens up a number of significant advantages for the participants, which help in further education and admission to universities. These include:

— the right to enter specialized universities in Russia without entrance exams is a priority. The benefit is valid for four years and can only be used once.;

— the possibility of obtaining additional points to the results of the Unified State Exam. Their number can vary from 1 to 10, depending on the specific university and the student's level of achievement.;

— cash prizes. The amount of payments varies depending on the subject. For example, in the Moscow region, the winners of the final stage can receive up to 345 thousand rubles, and the winners — up to 575 thousand rubles.;

— a monthly state academic scholarship in the amount of 20 thousand rubles, which the winners of the final stage of the Higher School of Economics can receive throughout the entire period of study in bachelor's or specialist's degree programs;

— invitations to national teams to participate in international Olympiads.

For some graduates, winning the Olympiad is equivalent to the maximum score of the Unified State Exam in a specialized subject, which allows them to automatically receive 100 points for the corresponding exam without having to take it.

How to prepare for the All-Russian Olympiad

Preparation for the All—Russian School Olympiad is a complex process that requires significant efforts. At the same time, it is important that the student is supported by parents and teachers at this moment.

— Preparation for the Olympiad is an amazing process that unites all sides: the talent of children and teachers, the conditions available in a particular region or a particular school. In general, early start and specialized organization are the basis for success in the modern world of school Olympiads. Therefore, the main thing for parents is to monitor and maintain interest in what the child objectively likes. And children themselves need to take a responsible and somewhat fanatical approach to the business they are engaged in," said Semyon Mamykin, a teacher at the Association of Olympic Winners and the Coalition (2017-2021), an expert at the Infowork educational marketplace.

It is optimal to start classes a few months before the competition itself. It is important to repeat the basic curriculum for the chosen subject, study theory and complete practical tasks.

You can also refer to previous years' assignments. They can be found on the official website of the All-Russian School Olympiad. Analyzing them will help you understand the structure, complexity, and logic of the questions. In addition, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the criteria by which the work of the participants is evaluated. Knowing these rules, you can focus on what exactly the experts require when checking.

When preparing, it is important not to limit yourself to the school curriculum alone. The All-Russian Olympiad requires a deep understanding of the subject, broad erudition and the ability to think logically. Experts recommend reading scientific articles, watching thematic lectures, and following up-to-date research.

A systematic and integrated approach to training, including extended theory and regular practice, can significantly increase the chances of achieving high results.