Beginner batch
Strong thinkers, newer to Olympiad maths.
- Rank 1
- up to100%
- Rank 2
- up to50%
- Rank 3
- up to25%
Discover how far your mathematical thinking can take you.
Chapter Zero is Liminal’s introductory online maths test. It uses familiar school mathematics to set problems that need curiosity, creativity, reasoning and persistence.
Round I30 Nov
Fee₹350
Open toGrades 6 to 12
Round I · SampleQ 03 / 15
A snail is at the bottom of a 10 m well. Each day it climbs 3 m, and each night it slides back 2 m. On which day does it reach the top?
ADay 7BDay 8CDay 9DDay 10
More than just a competition.
Open to every student with an interest in mathematics, from those discovering it at school to those with prior Olympiad experience.
Same paperRound I
STUDENT AHas never seen a problem without a formula attached.
STUDENT BHas been training for IOQM for two years.
Same paper, honest diagnosis. Both walk away knowing where their reasoning is strong, where it breaks, and what to study next.
same paper, different paths
Every mathematician starts with zero.
Round I decides what happens next. Every student gets a self-assessment; your score decides whether you qualify for more.
Your pathway5 steps
- 01Join LiminalFreeRegister as a Liminal member for access to the wider community, programmes, resources and activities.
- 02Round INo preparationAn inclusive, school-level assessment that explores how you think through interesting problems.
- 03Self-assessmentFor everyoneEveryone who sits Round I gets this, whatever their score: your strengths, areas to work on, patterns in your problem-solving and what to study next.
- 04Become a qualifierCertificateReach the qualifying score to earn a Certificate of Achievement, apply to Liminal’s programmes and sit Round II.
- 05Round IIScholarshipsHarder, Olympiad-style problems that find exceptional potential. Doing well unlocks scholarships and more.
What you walk away with.
Everyone gets a taste of mathematics beyond routine school exercises. The further you go, the more opens up.
Everyone
Your profile
- A detailed topic-wise mathematical profile
- Strengths and areas for improvement
- Recommendations for what to study next
Round I qualifiers
Your next step
- A Certificate of Achievement
- Eligibility for Liminal’s advanced training programmes
- Seminars with students, alumni and speakers from strong maths institutions
Round II qualifiers
Your fast track
- Placement in a Beginner or Advanced batch
- Scholarships for the top three in your batch, up to 100%
- Cash prizes and special certificates for top students
- Possible invitations to offline programmes with alumni and professors
Scholarships.
After both rounds, every student is placed in a Beginner or Advanced batch based on where their maths is today. Rankings happen inside each batch, so a student who is just starting is ranked against others who are just starting.
01Sit both roundsRound I, then Round II if you qualify.
02Get placed in a batchBeginner or Advanced, based on your current ability.
03Ranked within your batchThe top three in each batch earn scholarships.
Advanced batch
Students already working at Olympiad level.
- Rank 1
- up to100%
- Rank 2
- up to50%
- Rank 3
- up to25%
Each batch has its own Rank 1, 2 and 3. Scholarships apply to Liminal’s Olympiad and UG Mathematics programmes. Top students also receive cash prizes and special certificates.
Online, under real exam conditions.
Round I is remotely invigilated, so every score means the same thing. A quick system check before the test makes sure everything works.
Camera
Camera onKeep your face inside the guide
CameraAn invigilator can see that it’s you sitting the paper, with no one helping.
Microphone
Room is quiet
MicrophoneKeeps the room quiet and the answers your own.
Screen
Sharing screenChapter Zero · Round I
Screen sharingOnly the test window stays open. No other tabs, no calculators, no search.
Every mathematician starts at zero.
Registration takes about two minutes. No preparation needed.
Register for Chapter Zerono prep needed