Registration Opens January 2027
Register for the 2027 International Psychology Olympiad, then qualify through the official IPsyO Qualification Bundle before June 30, 2027 to compete.
Competition Overview
The 2027 International Psychology Olympiad continues our tradition of excellence in identifying and nurturing the world's most talented young psychology students. This year's competition will be conducted entirely online, making it accessible to students worldwide. Qualification is earned through focused study on the LearningFirst platform, and the competition itself consists of two modules assessing the full range of higher-order thinking.
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Participate?
- Students must be enrolled in high school, secondary, or pre-collegiate education
- Must be graduating in 2028 or later
- All skill levels welcome - from beginners to advanced psychology students
Who Cannot Participate?
- Fresh graduates from High School (Class of 2027)
- Gap year students
- College or university students
Competition Format
New Qualification Pathway
Qualification is no longer a separate examination — a change we made deliberately, so that every qualifier arrives genuinely prepared. Students earn qualification by completing the official IPsyO qualification bundle on LearningFirst at their own pace — there is no qualification round. Module A has been renamed Analytical Reasoning, and the two competition modules assess the full range of higher-order thinking: from reaching sound conclusions to building them.
Why qualification requires study
A place at the competition should mean something. Over the years, we have seen too many students register without genuinely preparing — some never intended to compete at all — and that cost everyone: their own time, and ours.
So beginning in 2027, qualification is no longer a separate examination. It is earned by completing the official IPsyO Qualification Bundle on LearningFirst — structured lessons and practice materials that reach well beyond a syllabus. A single test measures one moment; completing the full qualification bundle measures genuine engagement with psychology.
We believe a competition is only as meaningful as the preparation behind it. When every qualifier has truly prepared, the field is stronger for everyone: serious students compete among peers who share their commitment, and every award stands for real, earned achievement. If you are serious about psychology, this is exactly the preparation you would want anyway. Study at your own pace, earn your qualification, and compete knowing you have earned your place.
Qualification: Learn & Qualify on LearningFirst
What to Do: Complete the official IPsyO qualification bundle on the LearningFirst platform, following your own study schedule.
Bundle: The official IPsyO Qualification Bundle covers the core areas of psychology
Qualification Standard: Earn 470 points or more to qualify for the competition
No Separate Exam: Qualification is earned through study, not a test. Complete the official bundle at your own pace — when you qualify, you have genuinely prepared.
Deadline: Qualification must be completed by .
Competition Modules
The competition is conducted individually and consists of two complementary modules, each assessing a distinct mode of thinking. Together, they span the full arc of higher-order intellectual work — from rigorous interpretation to evidence-based construction.
Module A: Analytical Reasoning
Assesses the ability to work within given material. Candidates engage with a series of research articles, each accompanied by questions that test their capacity to interpret evidence, evaluate arguments, apply psychological frameworks, and reach the conclusions the material supports.
Date:
Duration: 120 minutes
Format: 5 reading materials with 20 objective questions each (100 total questions)
Maximum Score: 200 points (2 points per question)
Module B: Advanced Thinking
Assesses the ability to work beyond given material. Candidates receive a single case and go further than analysis — diagnosing underlying causes, constructing original solutions or recommendations, and defending them through rigorous, evidence-grounded argument.
Eligibility: Only Medalists (the top 6 students from each country/region in Module A) take Module B
Date:
Duration: 180 minutes
Format: 1 reading material with 5 written response questions
Maximum Score: 200 points (40 points per question)
One Competition, Two Modes of Thinking
- Analytical Reasoning is convergent — it moves from material to conclusion: candidates identify the best-supported answer.
- Advanced Thinking is generative — it moves from material to construction: candidates build and defend an original response.
Working within material and working from material are not separate skills but two stages of the same discipline. Analytical Reasoning establishes that a candidate reads evidence rigorously; Advanced Thinking establishes that they think productively with it.
Qualification & Advancement
How to Advance
Qualification is earned entirely through the LearningFirst qualification bundle:
- Complete the official IPsyO qualification bundle on LearningFirst and earn 470+ points to qualify for the competition
- There is no separate qualification examination; study at your own pace before the qualification deadline
- All qualified students take Module A (Analytical Reasoning)
- The top 6 students from each country/region in Module A become Medalists and advance to Module B (Advanced Thinking)
Recognition System
Medalist Recognition
The top 6 students from each country/region in Module A are named Medalists and advance to Module B (Advanced Thinking). Every Medalist receives a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Award — the final medal is determined by the combined Module A + Module B score. There is no separate Medalist certificate.
Gold, Silver & Bronze Awards
Gold Award
Top combined Module A + Module B score
Silver Award
Outstanding combined Module A + Module B score
Bronze Award
Excellent combined Module A + Module B score
Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards are determined by the combined Module A + Module B score and are awarded to Medalists based on fixed global proportions. Award proportions are announced together with the Module A results.
Tiered Grade Recognition
Students who do not place in the Regional Top 6 receive a tiered grade certificate based on their Module A (Analytical Reasoning) score:
- Highest Distinction: Awarded based on the Module A score threshold
- Higher Distinction: Awarded based on the Module A score threshold
- Distinction: Awarded based on the Module A score threshold
- Excellence: Awarded based on the Module A score threshold
Tiered grades are granted based on absolute score thresholds rather than fixed percentages or quotas. The score thresholds are determined after reviewing the difficulty of Module A and may vary by year.
Important Dates & Timeline
Time Zone Note
All dates and times refer to the designated local time for each continent: Asia & Oceania (GMT+8), Europe & Africa (GMT+1), and North & South America (GMT-4).
Registration Opens
Begin your journey by registering for the competition
Qualification Deadline
Complete the LearningFirst bundle and earn 470+ points to qualify - study at your own pace. Registration closes on the same date.
Access the IPsyO Qualification BundleModule A: Analytical Reasoning
Convergent thinking examination - all qualified students participate
Module A Results & Medalist Announcement
Announcement of Regional Top 6 Medalists advancing to Module B
Module B: Advanced Thinking
Generative thinking written response - Medalists only
Final Results
Announcement of winners and awards
Competition Venue
Entirely Online
The 2027 IPsyO will be conducted entirely online, ensuring accessibility for students worldwide. All examinations and written response tasks will be delivered through our secure online platform.
- No travel required - participate from your location
- Secure online examination system
- Online written response tasks
- Real-time support during examinations
Registration Requirements
What You Need to Register
- Basic school/organization information
- An advisor to verify your academic level and identity
- Valid email address for communication
Note: There is no registration fee to enter the competition. Qualifying requires purchasing the official IPsyO qualification bundle on LearningFirst.