UK Chemistry Olympiad
A written chemistry competition that challenges secondary students to apply existing knowledge to unfamiliar and real-world problems, developing creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
CHEMISTRY
UK Chemistry Olympiad
Competition Overview
PINNACLE's New Zealand sitting of UKChO 2027 Round One is an in-person, proctored paper-based examination for Years 11-13 students at Massey University in Albany, Auckland. Candidates check in at 13:45 NZDT and sit the two-hour paper from 14:00 to 16:00 NZDT on Friday 22 January 2027. New Zealand entrants through PINNACLE participate in Round One only.
Academic Value / Why Participate
Students practise applying chemistry knowledge in unfamiliar contexts, develop critical problem-solving skills and learn to reason creatively through challenging written problems.Who It Suits
PINNACLE's New Zealand entry is for Years 11-13 students with a strong interest in chemistry who are comfortable with challenging, unfamiliar problems.Prerequisites and Readiness
Students should have a strong foundation in senior secondary chemistry. The RSC notes that the questions are aimed mainly at students in their last year before higher education and recommends that entrants are generally at least 16.
ROUND 1
Open Round
PINNACLE's New Zealand sitting of UKChO 2027 Round One is an in-person, proctored paper-based examination for Years 11-13 students at Massey University in Albany, Auckland. Candidates check in at 13:45 NZDT and sit the two-hour paper from 14:00 to 16:00 NZDT on Friday 22 January 2027. New Zealand entrants through PINNACLE participate in Round One only.
Exam Date & Time
Registration Deadline
Friday, 8 January 2027
FURTHER ROUNDS & PROGRESSION
Explore the later stages of the competition. Progression is subject to the organiser's current qualification requirements.
Round One
PINNACLE's New Zealand sitting of UKChO 2027 Round One is an in-person, proctored paper-based examination for Years 11-13 students at Massey University in Albany, Auckland. Candidates check in at 13:45 NZDT and sit the two-hour paper from 14:00 to 16:00 NZDT on Friday 22 January 2027. New Zealand entrants through PINNACLE participate in Round One only.
Exam Date & Time
Friday, 22 Jan 2027 · 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (NZT)
Registration Deadline
Friday, 8 Jan 2027 · 11:00 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
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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?
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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
UK Chemistry Olympiad
Organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry, the UK Chemistry Olympiad (UKChO) challenges secondary students to apply existing chemistry knowledge to unfamiliar and real-world problems. Round One is a written paper designed to develop chemical reasoning, creativity and problem-solving. Students entering through PINNACLE in New Zealand participate in Round One only.- Students practise applying chemistry knowledge in unfamiliar contexts, develop critical problem-solving skills and learn to reason creatively through challenging written problems.
- PINNACLE's New Zealand entry is for Years 11-13 students with a strong interest in chemistry who are comfortable with challenging, unfamiliar problems.
- Recent Round One results use Bronze, Silver and Gold award bands; scores below the Bronze threshold receive no award. Award thresholds are set for each competition cycle and may vary from year to year.
- For schools outside the UK participating through PINNACLE, access is limited to Round One. New Zealand entrants through PINNACLE are not eligible to progress to UKChO Round Two.