German Chemistry Olympiad¶
Internationale ChemieOlympiade
Key Websites¶
Logo¶
Overview¶
The German selection for the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) is organised by the IPN (Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education) at Kiel University under the umbrella brand Science Olympiaden. The IPN has administered Germany's national chemistry olympiad programme since 1974, making it one of the longest-running national selection systems in IChO history. Funding is provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) together with the state ministries of education.
The Förderverein Chemie-Olympiade (FChO), an alumni association founded by former IChO contestants, supports the selection process by organising advanced scientific lectures and connecting participants with universities and industry. The GDCh (German Chemical Society) also contributes as a professional sponsor, awarding book vouchers to top performers.
The official German designation for the competition is the Auswahlwettbewerb zur Internationalen ChemieOlympiade.
Competition Format¶
Germany uses a four-stage selection process that spans the full academic year:
Round 1 — Homework problems (April–September) Students register via the Science Olympiaden portal together with a supervising teacher. A set of challenging problems is released in spring and must be submitted by mid-September. Solving them requires independent research beyond the standard school curriculum. This round is open to all eligible students; typically between 1,300 and 2,400 students nationwide take part.
Round 2 — Written examination (November/December) Qualifying students sit a three-hour written examination administered at their schools or at state-level coordination centres. This round tests advanced theoretical knowledge and problem-solving ability.
Round 3 — Theory seminar (February/March, approximately one week) The top 60 students nationwide are invited to a residential seminar, traditionally held at the University of Göttingen. The programme includes university-level lectures and two written examinations. Successful students advance to the final round.
Round 4 — Final selection camp (May, Kiel) The top 15 candidates attend a theoretical and practical training camp at the IPN in Kiel. This round includes both written tests and a hands-on laboratory examination. From this group, the four-member German national team is selected to represent Germany at the IChO in July.
A preparatory training seminar is held shortly before the international competition, typically at a German university, to prepare the team both theoretically and practically.
Eligibility¶
- Open to pupils at general education schools (Gymnasium and equivalent) up to the 13th grade (or equivalent).
- Students must be under age 20 on 1 July of the competition year.
- Participation is recommended from approximately age 14.
- Both students and supervising teachers must register on the Science Olympiaden portal.
Participation¶
| Stage | Approximate number |
|---|---|
| Round 1 (homework) | 1,300–2,400 |
| Round 2 (written exam) | Subset of Round 1 qualifiers |
| Round 3 (theory seminar) | ~60 |
| Round 4 (final camp, Kiel) | 15 |
| National team (IChO) | 4 |
The IPN reports that over 1,300 students enter the selection process annually, with recent cycles attracting more than 1,500–2,400 participants.
History¶
- 1968 — The first IChO is held in Prague (Czechoslovakia). Early editions are dominated by Eastern Bloc nations.
- 1974 — The IPN in Kiel begins administering the German national selection programme. West Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) starts participating in the IChO.
- 1976 — The 8th IChO is hosted in Halle, East Germany (GDR).
- 1984 — The 16th IChO is hosted in Frankfurt am Main, West Germany (FRG).
- 1989 — The 21st IChO is again hosted in Halle, East Germany (GDR).
- 1990 — German reunification; from this point, a unified German team competes at the IChO.
- 1992 — The Förderverein Chemie-Olympiade (FChO) is founded by former IChO contestants to support the selection process and build alumni networks.
- 2004 — Germany hosts the 36th IChO in Kiel, organised by the IPN. Over 60 nations participate.
Germany is one of only a few nations to have hosted the IChO on four occasions (counting editions hosted by both East and West Germany): Halle (twice, as the GDR), Frankfurt am Main (as the FRG), and Kiel (as reunified Germany).
| Medal | Count |
|---|---|
| Gold | 30 |
| Silver | 61 |
| Bronze | 49 |
| Honourable mention | 3 |
Germany ranks among the historically strongest European nations in the IChO. Team members are typically drawn from Gymnasien across the federal states, and top performers have gone on to study at leading German universities and receive recognition from organisations including the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (German Academic Scholarship Foundation).
Past Exams Archive¶
| Year | English Workbook | German Workbook |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Link | |
| 2021 | Link | |
| 2020 | Link | |
| 2019 | Link | |
| 2018 | ||
| 2017 | Link | |
| 2016 | Link | |
| 2015 | Link | |
| 2014 | Link | Link |
| 2013 | Link | Link |
| 2012 | Link | Link |
| 2011 | Link | Link |
| 2010 | Link | Link |
| 2009 | Link | Link |
| 2008 | Link | Link |
| 2007 | Link | Link |
| 2006 | Link | Link |
| 2005 | Link | Link |
| 2004 | Link | Link |
| 2003 | Link | Link |
| 2002 | Link | |
| 2001 | Link | |
| 2000 | Link | |
| 1999 | Link | |
| 1998 | Link | |
| 1997 | Link | |
| 1996 | Link |