2026
IJCO 2026
Competition date
Saturday, 26 Sept 2026
Eligible students
New Zealand time
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Delivery
Remote online
Competition completed
Registration is no longer available.
Singapore
• Completed
International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad (IJCO)
For NZ Years 8-13 students
COMPUTING & INFORMATICS
International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad (IJCO)
Competition Overview
Academic Value / Why Participate
IJCO gives students an opportunity to:
explore cybersecurity through a structured academic programme;
learn concepts that are rarely covered in the standard school curriculum;
understand how cybersecurity professionals analyse threats and protect digital systems;
develop adversarial and analytical thinking;
gain introductory experience with cryptography, computer networks, Linux, Capture the Flag challenges and digital forensics;
learn through an eight-hour course before completing the competition;
test their understanding through an internationally delivered cybersecurity assessment;
receive recognition through medals and certificates;
explore whether cybersecurity, computer science or information security may be suitable areas for further study; and
potentially progress to the International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad Global Final.
Unlike a pure programming competition, IJCO introduces students to several different areas of cybersecurity and does not focus exclusively on writing code.
Who It Suits
IJCO is particularly suitable for students who:
are interested in computers, technology or cybersecurity;
enjoy understanding how digital systems work;
are curious about how cyber attacks occur and how systems can be protected;
enjoy logical, investigative or analytical challenges;
want to explore cybersecurity before committing to more advanced study;
are interested in cryptography or computer networks;
would like an introduction to Linux and Capture the Flag competitions;
enjoy analysing evidence and solving technical problems; or
are considering future study in cybersecurity, computer science or related technology fields.
The official programme covers Grades 7–12 (NZ Years 8-13). All participants study the same material and complete the same examination, but classification takes place within each grade.
Prerequisites and Readiness
No formal cybersecurity qualification, prior competition result or programming background is stated as a requirement for IJCO.
Students are expected to complete the official IJCO learning programme before the competition. The programme consists of four pre-recorded online lessons, with a total of eight hours of content, covering Cryptography, Networking Fundamentals, Red Teaming & Introduction to CTFs, and Digital Forensics.
Previous experience with computing, coding, Linux or cybersecurity may be helpful, but it is not listed as a prerequisite in the supplied information pack. Students should instead be prepared to engage with technical concepts, learn unfamiliar terminology and work through the provided course material independently.
IJCO is designed for students in Grades 7–12 (NZ Years 8-13). The same course and examination are used for all participants, with results classified within each grade.
ROUND 1
Open Round
Exam Date & Time
13:00-15:00, Sat 26 Sep 2026. Need to be online at 12:30.
Registration Deadline
Friday, 28 August 2026
FURTHER ROUNDS & PROGRESSION
Explore the later stages of the competition. Progression is subject to the organiser's current qualification requirements.
Semifinal Round
The Semifinal Round builds on the earlier stage with more advanced questions and deeper application.
Exam Date & Time
Saturday, 16 May 2026 · 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (NZT)
Registration Deadline
Friday, 1 May 2026 · 11:59 pm (NZT)
Semifinal Round
The Semifinal Round builds on the earlier stage with more advanced questions and deeper application.
Exam Date & Time
Saturday, 16 May 2026 · 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (NZT)
Registration Deadline
Friday, 1 May 2026 · 11:59 pm (NZT)
Semifinal Round
The Semifinal Round builds on the earlier stage with more advanced questions and deeper application.
Exam Date & Time
Saturday, 16 May 2026 · 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (NZT)
Registration Deadline
Friday, 1 May 2026 · 11:59 pm (NZT)
Semifinal Round
The Semifinal Round builds on the earlier stage with more advanced questions and deeper application.
Exam Date & Time
Saturday, 16 May 2026 · 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (NZT)
Registration Deadline
Friday, 1 May 2026 · 11:59 pm (NZT)
All resources
Past Papers
Guide
Rules and
Exam Instructions
A GOOD PLACE TO BEGIN
RESOURCES & PAST PAPERS
Find available practice, curriculum guidance and competition rules.
Practice
No resources found for these filters.
THE RIGHT SUPPORT. AT YOUR STAGE
PREPARATION COURSES
Explore the programme, choose a teaching format and review the full tuition before enrolling.
CLASS
Placement for Advanced Class is confirmed after consultation.
STAGE
REGULAR CLASS · OPEN ROUND PREPARATION
Open Round Preparation
Build neuroscience knowledge, then apply it to research figures, experimental evidence and unfamiliar questions.
16 hours total
8 x 2-hour lessons
· Connect neural structures with function and disease.
· Intepret graphs, experiments and research extracts.
· Complete an Open Round-style mock with an individual error review.
Session 1 — Foundations
……Session 2 — Core concepts
……Session 3 — Problem solving
……
Choose your teaching format
Small-group preparation with up to 3 students, offering structured teaching, guided practice and personalised feedback.
16 hours · 8 × 2-hour sessions
NZ$1,060
per student · full programme
Focused preparation for two students learning together, with guided teaching, targeted practice and personalised feedback.
16 hours · 8 × 2-hour sessions
NZ$1,280
per student · full programme
Fully personalised one-to-one preparation with teaching, practice and feedback tailored to the student's needs.
16 hours · 8 × 2-hour sessions
NZ$1,840
per student · full programme
Select a teaching format to view tuition, lesson format and enrolment details.
Competition Gallery
Submission and Confirmation
Please check your email address carefully before submitting the registration form.
Once you submit the form, you will receive a confirmation email automatically.
All other important communications (including the Exam Instructions, Results and Certificates, etc) will be sent to the email address you submitted to us. Please check your email inbox and junk mail / spam folder regularly!
What Happens Next?
1
2
3
4
Registration Received
We will send you a confirmation email
We may review your registration if required
Eligibility Review
You will receive the Exam Instructions closer to the date
Exam Instructions
Participate and do your best!
Competition Day
Competition Overview
International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad (IJCO)
The International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad (IJCO) is a course-based cybersecurity competition designed to introduce young people to the knowledge, technologies and ways of thinking used in modern cybersecurity.
The programme combines structured learning with assessment. Students first have access to four pre-recorded online lessons developed by the National Cybersecurity R&D Lab (NCL), based at the National University of Singapore’s School of Computing. The course provides eight hours of content covering four core areas of cybersecurity: cryptography, networking fundamentals, red teaming and Capture the Flag competitions, and digital forensics.
Participants then complete a 40-question multiple-choice competition based directly on these four syllabus areas. The same course and examination are used across the eligible age groups, while results are classified separately by grade.
IJCO is designed for students in Grades 7–12 (NZ Years 8-13). Its broader mission is to build interest in cybersecurity, develop foundational technical knowledge and encourage students to explore further study and future careers in the field.
IJCO gives students an opportunity to:
explore cybersecurity through a structured academic programme;
learn concepts that are rarely covered in the standard school curriculum;
understand how cybersecurity professionals analyse threats and protect digital systems;
develop adversarial and analytical thinking;
gain introductory experience with cryptography, computer networks, Linux, Capture the Flag challenges and digital forensics;
learn through an eight-hour course before completing the competition;
test their understanding through an internationally delivered cybersecurity assessment;
receive recognition through medals and certificates;
explore whether cybersecurity, computer science or information security may be suitable areas for further study; and
potentially progress to the International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad Global Final.
Unlike a pure programming competition, IJCO introduces students to several different areas of cybersecurity and does not focus exclusively on writing code.
IJCO is particularly suitable for students who:
are interested in computers, technology or cybersecurity;
enjoy understanding how digital systems work;
are curious about how cyber attacks occur and how systems can be protected;
enjoy logical, investigative or analytical challenges;
want to explore cybersecurity before committing to more advanced study;
are interested in cryptography or computer networks;
would like an introduction to Linux and Capture the Flag competitions;
enjoy analysing evidence and solving technical problems; or
are considering future study in cybersecurity, computer science or related technology fields.
The official programme covers Grades 7–12 (NZ Years 8-13). All participants study the same material and complete the same examination, but classification takes place within each grade.
IJCO awards are determined according to participants’ scores and rankings within each grade.
The supplied information pack specifies the following medal distribution:
Gold Medal
Approximately the top 1/12 of participants in each grade, equivalent to approximately 8.3%.
Silver Medal
Approximately the next 1/6 of participants in each grade, equivalent to approximately 16.7%.
Bronze Medal
Approximately the next 1/4 of participants in each grade, equivalent to approximately 25%.
The information pack also displays examples of:
Honorable Mention certificates; and
Certificates of Participation.
Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and competition certificates are associated with the National Cybersecurity R&D Lab and the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Strong IJCO performance can lead to further cybersecurity and wider STEAM opportunities within the SIMCC ecosystem.
International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad Global Final
The International Junior Cybersecurity Olympiad Global Final (IJCOGF) is described as the global round of IJCO.
IJCOGF:
is a separate course-based competition;
is available to IJCO medalists who wish to participate;
brings together outstanding students from around the world; and
forms part of the STEAM AHEAD event.
Participation in IJCO should therefore not be described as automatic entry into the Global Final. The supplied information supports progression for IJCO medalists, with Global Final participation handled separately.