Argentine Chemistry Olympiad¶

Programa Olimpíada Argentina de Química

Official Website¶

Overview¶

The Programa Olimpíada Argentina de Química (OAQ) is Argentina's nationwide chemistry competition for secondary-school students, organized by the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires (FCEN–UBA) through its Olympic Committee. Schools enter students through a teacher coordinator, making teachers an important part of the programme's national network. The OAQ combines written problem solving, experimental chemistry, teacher development, and selection for both the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) and the Iberoamerican Chemistry Olympiad (OIAQ).

Competition Format¶

The competition progresses through four stages:

Stage 1 — School Round (Certamen Colegial)¶

Held at participating schools across Argentina
Open to students in all five competition categories

Stage 2 — Interschool Round (Certamen Intercolegial)¶

Regional competition among schools within each zone

Stage 3 — Zonal Round (Certamen Zonal)¶

Students who advance from the interschool round compete within their geographic zone
Argentina's 17+ provinces are organized into multiple zones

Stage 4 — National Round (Certamen Nacional)¶

A multi-day event traditionally held in Villa Giardino, Córdoba
Approximately 265–326 students from 87–92 schools qualify from the earlier stages
Around 124 participants receive medals at the national round
Advanced competitors complete experimental work, so success depends on laboratory judgement as well as theoretical knowledge

The programme uses five categories — Initial Level, Level 1, Level 2, Level 2 BIS, and Level 3 — to accommodate students from different school years and educational pathways. Category definitions and qualifying rules may change; participants should check the current academic and operational regulations.

International Selection Pathway¶

From the upper-level national medalists, approximately 25 students are invited to theoretical and laboratory training at FCEN–UBA. Further assessments reduce the group before selection:

4 students are chosen for the IChO team
A separate delegation of 3–4 students is selected for the Iberoamerican Chemistry Olympiad (OIAQ)

Argentina has competed at the IChO since 1995 and has earned at least one medal at every edition since.

IChO Performance¶

Through the 58th IChO, Argentina's lifetime record is 10 gold, 23 silver, 66 bronze, and 8 honourable mentions.

Notable highlights:

1998 — Best team result: 2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze
2005 — 1 gold, 3 silver (no bronze — all four delegates medaled)
Argentina has been the only Iberoamerican country to medal with all four delegates at IChO

OIAQ Performance¶

Argentina is one of the strongest Iberoamerican nations. At the 24th OIAQ in Porto (2019), Tobías Viola Aprea achieved the absolute top score among all Iberoamerican participants, alongside 2 silver medals — an achievement made despite significant budget constraints threatening the programme.

Student Outcomes¶

Argentina does not currently have a formalized university admission bonus for olympiad medalists. However, the OAQ operates under FCEN–UBA, and programme participants gain direct exposure to university-level chemistry and faculty. Many OAQ alumni go on to study chemistry, pharmacy, and related sciences at UBA and other Argentine universities.

History¶

1991 — FCEN–UBA established the programme and held the first national competition
1995 — Argentina began participating in the IChO
2000 — The programme was reorganized around an Olympic Committee and a technical-pedagogical team
2001 — Experimental chemistry became a stronger part of the programme; the national final developed as both a competition and a meeting place for students and teachers
2019 — Tobías Viola Aprea achieved the absolute top score at the OIAQ in Porto, despite budget cuts
2026 — The OAQ announced its 36th edition