International Neuroscience Olympiad (INO)
The first stage of the International Neuroscience Olympiad, challenging NZ Years 10–13 students to apply neuroscience knowledge, interpret scientific data and reason through research-based problems.
NEUROSCIENCE
International Neuroscience Olympiad (INO)
Competition Overview
Academic Value / Why Participate
The INO Open Round gives students an opportunity to:
explore neuroscience beyond the standard school curriculum;
investigate how the brain and nervous system influence behaviour and function;
practise interpreting scientific graphs, figures and research data;
develop evidence-based scientific reasoning;
apply biological knowledge to unfamiliar neuroscience scenarios;
gain experience with research-oriented competition questions;
test an interest in neuroscience, medicine, psychology or biomedical science;
receive international or regional recognition; and
compete for progression to the INO Semifinal Round.
A major strength of INO is that students are not assessed only on what they can remember. They must also work out what scientific information means and determine which conclusions are supported by the evidence.
Who It Suits
The Open Round is suitable for New Zealand Years 10–13 students who:
are interested in the brain or nervous system;
enjoy Biology, Psychology or Science;
are considering Medicine, Neuroscience, Biomedical Science, Psychology or related fields;
enjoy interpreting experiments and scientific data;
are comfortable encountering unfamiliar scientific concepts;
like understanding how biological mechanisms produce behaviour;
enjoy analytical rather than purely memory-based questions; or
would like to explore neuroscience before undertaking more specialised study.
Previous neuroscience competition experience is not required.
Prerequisites and Readiness
There is no qualifying competition required before entering the Open Round.
Students should have a reasonable foundation in secondary-school science and be comfortable reading biological and scientific information.
Helpful prior skills include:
basic understanding of cells and human biology;
interpreting graphs and tables;
reading scientific diagrams;
understanding experimental variables;
identifying patterns in data;
drawing conclusions from evidence; and
explaining scientific ideas concisely.
Formal previous study of neuroscience is not required. Students should, however, be prepared to learn unfamiliar terminology and apply supplied information logically.
ROUND 1
Open Round
Exam Date & Time
15:00-17:00, Mon 18 Jan 2027
Registration Deadline
Friday, 9 October 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 Neuroscience Olympiad (INO)
The International Neuroscience Olympiad (INO) Open Round is the first stage of a research-oriented international neuroscience competition originating at the University of California, Berkeley. INO aims to inspire young people to explore the human brain while developing their understanding of modern neuroscience, scientific research and real-world applications.
Designed for New Zealand Years 10–13, the Open Round challenges students to apply neuroscience knowledge, interpret scientific information and reason through research-oriented problems. The competition consists of 40 questions — 35 multiple-choice questions and 5 short-answer questions — completed online in 60 minutes.
Students who receive a Global Award in the Open Round are eligible to progress to the INO Semifinal Round, where the competition places greater emphasis on written scientific reasoning and application.
The INO Open Round gives students an opportunity to:
explore neuroscience beyond the standard school curriculum;
investigate how the brain and nervous system influence behaviour and function;
practise interpreting scientific graphs, figures and research data;
develop evidence-based scientific reasoning;
apply biological knowledge to unfamiliar neuroscience scenarios;
gain experience with research-oriented competition questions;
test an interest in neuroscience, medicine, psychology or biomedical science;
receive international or regional recognition; and
compete for progression to the INO Semifinal Round.
A major strength of INO is that students are not assessed only on what they can remember. They must also work out what scientific information means and determine which conclusions are supported by the evidence.
The Open Round is suitable for New Zealand Years 10–13 students who:
are interested in the brain or nervous system;
enjoy Biology, Psychology or Science;
are considering Medicine, Neuroscience, Biomedical Science, Psychology or related fields;
enjoy interpreting experiments and scientific data;
are comfortable encountering unfamiliar scientific concepts;
like understanding how biological mechanisms produce behaviour;
enjoy analytical rather than purely memory-based questions; or
would like to explore neuroscience before undertaking more specialised study.
Previous neuroscience competition experience is not required.
The Open Round provides both global and regional recognition.
Global Awards
Current competition information includes:
Merit
Honorable Mention
Global award thresholds are determined by competition performance and are not necessarily fixed percentages.
Regional Awards
For eligible participants not receiving a Global Award:
High Distinction — Top 10%
Distinction — Top 25%
Credit — Top 40%
Global and regional awards are treated separately.
Award criteria may be updated between competition cycles, so the current-year results criteria should be treated as final.
The Open Round is the first stage of the INO competition pathway.
Open Round → Global Award → Semifinal Round → Top 20 → Final Round
Students who receive a Global Award — Honorable Mention or Merit — in the Open Round are eligible to progress to the Semifinal Round.
From the Semifinal Round, the top 20 participants progress to the Final Round. The Final Round is scheduled for April 2027 (TBD) and moves beyond a conventional examination format: qualified students receive case studies in advance, prepare research proposals, present their analyses to neuroscience professors and experts together with INO Academic Committee members, and respond to questions from the judging panel.