Estonian Chemistry Olympiad (Keemiaolümpiaad)

Overview

The Estonian Chemistry Olympiad (Keemiaolümpiaad) is organized by the University of Tartu Science School (TU Teaduskool) in cooperation with the University of Tartu Institute of Chemistry, funded by the Ministry of Education and Research. The competition has been running since the 1950s and is one of the oldest science olympiads in the Baltic region. Estonia has participated in the IChO as an independent nation since 1994, with a remarkable record of earning at least one medal in every single year of participation.

Key Websites

• Estonian Olympiads — Chemistry
• University of Tartu Science School
• IChO results database: Estonia

Competition Format

The competition operates as a multi-tiered pyramid for students in grades 8–12.

• School round (koolivoor)

  • Local teachers create tasks and judge
  • Open to any interested student

• Open competition

  • Held in November at multiple locations plus online
  • Hundreds of students participate

• Regional round (piirkonnavoor)

  • Held in January
  • Over 1,000 students compete
  • Advancement requires high scores

• National final (lõppvoor)

  • Held at the University of Tartu Chemicum over two days in March
  • Approximately 70–100 qualifiers compete
  • Includes a 5–6 hour theoretical exam plus practical lab work

Top national finalists attend selection exams and training camps. The final IChO team (4 students) is selected based on Baltic Olympiad results (10%), theoretical exams (60%), and lab work (30%).

Student Outcomes

• University of Tartu: National final top performers receive exam waivers and automatic maximum admission points for chemistry, physics, and materials science programmes
• Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech): IChO medal winners receive monthly scholarships — EUR 800 (gold), EUR 600 (silver), EUR 400 (bronze) — for the duration of their degree

History

• 1953/54: Dedicated annual chemistry olympiad established alongside mathematics and physics (USSR).
• 1994: Estonia made its IChO debut as an independent nation at the 26th IChO in Oslo (bronze medal).
• 2003: Estonia's first IChO gold medal (Vladislav Ivanistsev, rank 7, Athens).
• 2024: Estonia hosted the 30th Baltic Chemistry Olympiad in Tartu.

The official IChO results database lists Estonia with 4 gold, 23 silver, and 78 bronze medals, and 12 honorable mentions. Estonia has earned at least one medal in every year of IChO participation since 1994 — a notable record of consistency.

Past Exams Archive

2026

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Answer Sheet	Solution	Experiment
2026	National	11&12	EE EN RU		EE	EE RU
2026	National	09&10	EE RU	EE	EE	EE
2026	Regional Grand Prix	11&12	EE RU
2026	Regional Grand Prix	10	EE RU
2026	Regional Grand Prix	09	EE RU
2026	Regional	11&12	EE RU	EE	EE
2026	Regional	10	EE RU	EE	EE
2026	Regional	09	EE RU	EE	EE
2026	Regional	08	EE RU	EE	EE

2025

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Answer Sheet	Solution	Experiment
2025	National	11&12	EE EN		EE	EE RU
2025	National	09&10	EE RU		EE	EE RU
2025	Regional Grand Prix	11&12	EE RU
2025	Regional Grand Prix	10	EE RU
2025	Regional Grand Prix	09	EE RU
2025	Regional	11&12	EE RU		EE
2025	Regional	10	EE RU		EE
2025	Regional	09	EE RU		EE
2025	Regional	08	EE RU		EE

2024

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2024	National	11&12	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2024	National	09&10	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2024	Regional Grand Prix	11&12	EE RU
2024	Regional Grand Prix	10	EE RU
2024	Regional Grand Prix	09	EE RU
2024	Regional	11&12	EE RU	EE
2024	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2024	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2024	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2023

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2023	National	11&12	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2023	National	09&10	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2023	Regional	11&12	EE RU	EE
2023	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2023	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2023	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2022

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Answer Sheet	Solution	Experiment
2022	National	11&12	EE RU	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2022	National	09&10	EE RU	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2022	Regional	11&12	EE RU	EE RU	EE
2022	Regional	10	EE RU	EE RU	EE
2022	Regional	09	EE RU	EE RU	EE
2022	Regional	08	EE RU	EE RU	EE

2021

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2021	National	11&12	EE RU	EE
2021	National	09&10	EE RU	EE
2021	Regional	11&12	EE RU	EE
2021	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2021	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2021	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2020

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2020	Regional	11&12	EE RU	EE
2020	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2020	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2020	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2019

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2019	National	11&12	EE RU	EE
2019	National	09&10	EE RU	EE
2019	Regional	11&12	EE RU	EE
2019	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2019	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2019	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2018

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2018	National	11&12	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2018	National	09&10	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2018	Regional	11&12	EE RU	EE
2018	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2018	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2018	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2017

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2017	National	11&12	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2017	National	10	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2017	National	09	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2017	Regional	11&12	EE RU	EE
2017	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2017	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2017	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2016

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2016	National	11&12	EE RU	EE	EE
2016	National	10	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2016	National	09	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2016	Regional	11&12	EE RU	EE
2016	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2016	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2016	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2015

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2015	National	11&12	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2015	National	10	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2015	National	09	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2015	Regional	11&12	EE RU	EE
2015	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2015	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2015	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2014

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2014	National	12	EE RU	EE	11&12 EE 11&12 RU
2014	National	11	EE RU	EE
2014	National	10	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2014	National	09	EE RU	EE	EE RU
2014	Regional	12	EE RU	EE
2014	Regional	11	EE RU	EE
2014	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2014	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2014	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2013

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2013	National	12	EE RU	EE	11&12 EE 11&12 RU
2013	National	11	EE RU	EE
2013	National	10	EE RU	EE	09&10 EE 09&10 RU
2013	National	09	EE RU	EE
2013	Regional	12	EE RU	EE
2013	Regional	11	EE RU	EE
2013	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2013	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2013	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2012

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2012	National	12	EE RU	EE
2012	National	11	EE RU	EE
2012	National	10	EE RU	EE	09&10 EE 09&10 RU
2012	National	09	EE RU	EE
2012	Regional	12	EE RU	EE
2012	Regional	11	EE RU	EE
2012	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2012	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2012	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2011

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2011	National	12	EE RU	EE	11&12 EE 11&12 RU
2011	National	11	EE RU	EE
2011	National	10	EE RU	EE	09&10 EE 09&10 RU
2011	National	09	EE RU	EE
2011	Regional	12	EE RU	EE
2011	Regional	11	EE RU	EE
2011	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2011	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2011	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2010

English Version for National Round

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2010	National	12	EE RU	EE	11&12 EE 11&12 RU
2010	National	11	EE RU	EE
2010	National	10	EE RU	EE	09&10 EE 09&10 RU
2010	National	09	EE RU	EE
2010	Regional	12	EE RU	EE
2010	Regional	11	EE RU	EE
2010	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2010	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2010	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2009

English Version for National Round

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution	Experiment
2009	National	12	EE RU	EE	11&12 EE 11&12 RU
2009	National	11	EE RU	EE
2009	National	10	EE RU	EE	09&10 RU
2009	National	09	EE RU	EE
2009	Regional	12	EE RU	EE
2009	Regional	11	EE RU	EE
2009	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2009	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2009	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2008

English Version for National Round

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution
2008	National	12	EE RU	EE
2008	National	11	EE RU	EE
2008	National	10	EE RU	EE
2008	National	09	EE RU	EE
2008	Regional	12	EE RU	EE
2008	Regional	11	EE RU	EE
2008	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2008	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2008	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2007

English Version for National Round

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution
2007	National	12	EE RU	EE
2007	National	11	EE RU	EE
2007	National	10	EE RU	EE
2007	National	09	EE RU	EE
2007	Regional	12	EE RU	EE
2007	Regional	11	EE RU	EE
2007	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2007	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2007	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2006

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution
2006	National	12	EE RU	EE
2006	National	11	EE RU	EE
2006	National	10	EE RU	EE
2006	National	09	EE RU	EE
2006	Regional	12	EE RU	EE
2006	Regional	11	EE RU	EE
2006	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2006	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2006	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2005

English Version for National Round

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution
2005	National	12	EE RU	EE
2005	National	11	EE RU	EE
2005	National	10	EE RU	EE
2005	Regional	12	EE RU	EE
2005	Regional	11	EE RU	EE
2005	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2005	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2005	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2004

English Version for National Round

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution
2004	National	12	EE RU	EE
2004	National	11	EE RU	EE
2004	National	10	EE RU	EE
2004	National	09	EE RU	EE
2004	Regional	12	EE RU	EE
2004	Regional	11	EE RU	EE
2004	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2004	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2004	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2003

English Version for National Round

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution
2003	National	12	EE RU	EE
2003	National	11	EE RU	EE
2003	National	10	EE RU	EE
2003	National	09	EE RU	EE
2003	Regional	12	EE RU	EE
2003	Regional	11	EE RU	EE
2003	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2003	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2003	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2002

English Version for National Round

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution
2002	National	12	EE RU	EE
2002	National	11	EE RU	EE
2002	National	10	EE RU	EE
2002	National	09	EE RU	EE
2002	Regional	12	EE RU	EE
2002	Regional	11	EE RU	EE
2002	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2002	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2002	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2001

English Version for National Round

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution
2001	National	12	EE RU	EE
2001	National	11	EE RU	EE
2001	National	10	EE RU	EE
2001	National	09	EE RU	EE
2001	Regional	12	EE RU	EE
2001	Regional	11	EE RU	EE
2001	Regional	10	EE RU	EE
2001	Regional	09	EE RU	EE
2001	Regional	08	EE RU	EE

2000

English Version for National Round

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution
2000	National	12	EE RU	EE
2000	National	11	EE RU	EE
2000	National	10	EE RU	EE
2000	National	09	EE RU	EE
2000	Regional	12	EE	EE
2000	Regional	11	EE	EE
2000	Regional	10	EE	EE
2000	Regional	09	EE	EE
2000	Regional	08	EE	EE

1999

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution
1999	National	12	EE RU	EE
1999	National	11	EE RU	EE
1999	National	10	EE RU	EE
1999	National	09	EE RU	EE
1999	Regional	12	EE	EE
1999	Regional	11	EE	EE
1999	Regional	10	EE	EE
1999	Regional	09	EE	EE
1999	Regional	08	EE	EE

1998

English Version for National Round

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution
1998	National	12	EE RU	EE
1998	National	11	EE RU	EE
1998	National	10	EE RU	EE
1998	National	09	EE RU	EE
1998	Regional	12	EE	EE
1998	Regional	11	EE	EE
1998	Regional	10	EE	EE
1998	Regional	09	EE	EE
1998	Regional	08	EE	EE

1997

English Version for National Round

Year	Round	Grade	Theory	Solution
1997	National	12	EE	EE
1997	National	11	EE	EE
1997	National	10	EE	EE
1997	National	09	EE	EE
1997	Regional	12	EE
1997	Regional	11	EE	EE
1997	Regional	10	EE	EE
1997	Regional	09	EE	EE
1997	Regional	08	EE	EE

1996

English Version for National Round