Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6,
Grades 7-8, Grades 9-10,
Grades 11-12
November 15, 2025
Registration deadline
November 13, 2025
December 20, 2025
Registration deadline
December 18, 2025
March 24-30, 2026
Registration deadline
February 1, 2026
Welcome to the Brainiacs English Olympiad!
50 Q Preliminary
35+2 Q Global Final
75 min Preliminary
120+120 min Global Final
Only in
English
MECHANICS
Brainiacs English Olympiad Mechanics
The Brainiacs English Olympiad is a globally renowned competition aimed at promoting creativity, communication, and linguistic excellence among students from Grade 3 to Grade 12. The Olympiad is structured into two main stages: the
- Preliminary Round and the Global Round.
- Preliminary Round
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Registration
Students can register for the Olympiad through the official Brainiacs Olympiad website or via authorized representatives in their respective countries.
Dates
The online qualifying exams for the Preliminary Round are scheduled for:
- Online I: – November 15, 2025 (Registration deadline: November 14, 2025)
- Online I Results: November 20, 2025
- Online II: – December 20, 2025 (Registration deadline: December 19, 2025)
- Online II Results: December 25, 2025
The two online rounds are identical in structure but feature different question sets. Students who did not qualify for the Global Round in the first online round, or who missed it, may participate in the second round.
Format
The exam consists of 50 questions divided into three levels of difficulty:
- Easy: 15 questions
- Normal: 20 questions
- Difficult: 15 questions
Time limit: 75 minutes. Questions are customized for each educational level and divided into the following categories:
- Category 1: Grades 3 and 4
- Category 2: Grades 5 and 6
- Category 3: Grades 7 and 8
- Category 4: Grades 9 and 10
- Category 5: Grade 11 and 12
Question Types: Multiple Choice, Multiple Response, Fill in the Blank, Reorder Sentences, Match Pairs, True/False, and Short Answer. These assess grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing skills.
Scoring
- Easy Questions: +1 point
- Normal Questions: +2 points
- Difficult Questions: +3 points
- Incorrect or Unanswered: No penalty
Qualification
Participants scoring 40% or higher qualify for the Global Round. All participants receive a Certificate of Participation.
Recognition
- 40-49 : Honorable Mention Certificate
- 50-74 : Bronze Medal
- 75-89 : Silver Medal
- 90-100 : Gold Medal
GLOBAL ROUND
The Global Round is the final stage of the competition, where participants demonstrate their mastery of English communication and comprehension.
Registration
Students register through the Brainiacs Olympiad website or via authorized representatives in their countries.
Dates and Venue
The Global Round of the 2nd Brainiacs English Olympiad will be held at Xiamen University Malaysia from March 24 to 30, 2026.
- Standard Registration Deadline: February 1, 2026
- Late Registration Deadline: March 1, 2026
Exam Days
The Global Round contains both Theoretical and Practical parts on two consecutive examination days.
Day 1. Theoretical Part
This part evaluates grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing.
Examples:
- Answering grammar and vocabulary questions
- Reading and interpreting texts
- Writing short paragraphs or responses
- Correcting language errors
- Re-ordering sentences for logical flow
Purpose:
To assess grammatical accuracy, vocabulary range, reading understanding, and clarity in written expression.
Day 1. Exam Format
- Easy: 10 multiple-choice questions
- Normal: 10 multiple-choice questions
- Difficult: 10 multiple-choice questions
- Open-ended: 5 short writing questions
- Total: 35 questions (30 MCQ + 5 open-ended)
- Duration: 120 minutes
Scoring
- Easy +1
- Normal +2
- Difficult +3
- Open-ended +8
- No negative marking
Day 2. Practical Part (Listening and Speaking)
This part measures how well participants understand spoken English and communicate verbally.
Examples:
- Listening to short dialogues or monologues and answering questions
- Completing gap-fill tasks based on audio recordings
- Describing a picture in detail with clear structure and vocabulary
- Engaging in a guided conversation with the examiner about familiar topics (e.g., school, hobbies, daily life)
Purpose:
To test comprehension (listening) and production (speaking) skills – fluency, pronunciation, accuracy, and confidence in communication.
Day 2. Exam Format and Scoring
The exam consists of two components, totaling 100 points:
- Listening – 50 points (short dialogues/monologues, gap-fill, comprehension)
- Speaking – 50 points (Task 1: Picture Description; Task 2: Conversation with Examiner)
- Duration: 120 minutes (combined)
- Total Marks: 100
Global Round Recognition
- Top 10% Gold Medal
- Next 20% Silver Medal
- Next 30% Bronze Medal
- Next 15% Honorable Mention
Languages
All questions and tasks in both rounds will be available in English
SYLLABUS
1. Grammar and Sentence Structure
- Nouns – common, proper, singular, plural
- Pronouns – personal, possessive, demonstrative
- Verbs – simple present, past, and future tenses
- Subject–Verb Agreement – singular/plural consistency
- Adjectives – describing words, comparison (big – bigger – biggest)
- Adverbs – of manner, place, and time
- Prepositions – in, on, at, under, near, behind, between
- Conjunctions – and, but, because, or, so
- Articles – a, an, the (basic rules)
- Sentence Types – statements, questions, commands, exclamations
- Punctuation – capital letters, commas, full stops, question marks, exclamation marks.
2. Vocabulary Development
- Everyday Vocabulary: school, classroom, home, food, family, animals, weather, clothes
- Action Words (verbs): run, jump, play, read, sing, draw
- Describing Words (adjectives): colors, sizes, emotions (happy, sad, tall, short)
- Opposites: big/small, hot/cold, open/close
- Synonyms (simple): start/begin, fast/quick, small/tiny
- Days, Months, and Seasons
- Numbers (ordinal and cardinal)
- Common Classroom Words: board, pencil, book, bag, teacher
3. Reading Comprehension
- Read short paragraphs (80–120 words) about daily life, animals, or nature
- Identify the main idea, characters, and setting
- Answer who/what/where/when/why questions
- Guess meaning of simple words from context
- Reorder sentences to make a logical story
4. Listening Skills (Global Round Preparation)
- Listening to short dialogues (greetings, introductions, classroom talk)
- Identifying basic information: name, place, time, object
- Following short instructions (‘Circle the word’, ‘Choose the picture’, etc.)
5. Speaking and Communication Skills (Global Round Preparation)
- Greet and introduce themselves
- Describe pictures (people, weather, classroom scenes)
- Talk briefly about family, hobbies, and school
- Answer simple daily-life questions clearly (‘What do you like to eat?’)
- Use polite expressions: please, thank you, sorry, excuse me
6. Writing
- Write simple sentences and short paragraphs (3–5 lines)
- Use correct capitalization and punctuation
- Describe a picture or daily routine (‘I wake up at 7 o’clock…’)
- Fill in missing words in short texts
- Write simple dialogues (2–3 lines)
7. Question Types in the Olympiad
- Multiple Choice (1 correct answer)
- Multiple Response (2–3 correct answers)
- Fill in the Blank
- Reorder Sentences
- Match Pairs (word meaning or picture word)
- True / False
- Short Answer
8. Recommended Focus Areas
- Grammar practice worksheets for primary levels
- Picture vocabulary cards
- Short reading passages
- English songs, stories, and cartoons (for listening & speaking practice)
1. Grammar and Sentence Structure
- Tenses – Present, Past, and Future (Simple, Continuous, and Perfect)
- Subject–Verb Agreement – especially with complex subjects
- Active and Passive Voice (basic forms)
- Direct and Indirect Speech (simple sentences)
- Modal Verbs – can, could, may, might, must, should, have to Comparatives and Superlatives
- Prepositions of Time and Place – at, on, in, between, among, beside, etc.
- Conjunctions and Linkers – because, although, however, therefore, since
- Articles – advanced use of the, a, an
- Clauses – independent, dependent, relative clauses (basic awareness)
- Punctuation and Capitalization – commas, apostrophes, quotation marks
2. Vocabulary Development
- Thematic Vocabulary: school, travel, environment, hobbies, daily life, health, and technology
- Synonyms and Antonyms for common words (e.g., happy/sad, start/begin, cold/chilly)
- Word Families – create, creation, creative; act, action, active
- Prefixes and Suffixes – un-, re-, dis-, -er, -ment, -ful, -less
- Phrasal Verbs – turn on, look after, give up, find out, put off
- Collocations – make a decision, do homework, take a photo
- Idioms (basic) – break the ice, once in a blue moon, piece of cake
3. Reading Comprehension
- Read short to medium passages (120–180 words)
- Identify main idea, supporting details, and conclusions
- Understand sequence of events
- Guess meaning of unfamiliar words from context
- Identify cause and effect
- Distinguish between facts and opinions
- Summarize or title a paragraph
4. Listening Skills (Global Round Preparation)
- Listening to short stories, classroom instructions, and conversations
- Identifying main points and specific information
- Recognizing intonation and tone
- Completing gap-fill or matching tasks after listening
5. Speaking and Communication Skills (Global Round Preparation)
- Introduce themselves and others formally
- Describe pictures, people, or events
- Express opinions and preferences (‘I think…’, ‘In my opinion…’)
- Role-play everyday situations (shopping, travel, school)
- Speak with basic fluency and correct pronunciation
- Participate in short dialogues and discussions
6. Writing
- Write short paragraphs (5–8 lines) on familiar topics
- Use connectors (and, but, because, although) for flow
- Write informal letters or short emails
- Describe places, people, or experiences
- Fill missing words in a short passage
- Rewrite sentences with proper grammar and punctuation
7. Question Types in the Olympiad
- Multiple Choice (1 correct answer)
- Multiple Response (2–3 correct answers)
- Fill in the Blank
- Reorder Sentences
- Match Pairs (word meaning)
- True / False
- Short Answer / Writing
8. Recommended Focus Areas
- Grammar drills and vocabulary worksheets
- Practice reading short stories and informational texts
- Listen to English podcasts for kids and teen learners
- Role-play dialogues to improve confidence
- Watch short educational videos with subtitles
1. Grammar and Sentence Structure
- Tenses – all major forms (Simple, Continuous, Perfect, Perfect Continuous)
- Conditional Sentences (Types 0–3)
- Active and Passive Voice (all tenses)
- Direct and Indirect Speech (statements, questions, commands)
- Modal Verbs – must, should, may, might, could, ought to, needn’t
- Relative Clauses – defining and non-defining
- Gerunds and Infinitives – usage after verbs, adjectives, and prepositions
- Prepositions of Time, Place, and Movement
- Conjunctions and Linking Words – although, despite, however, therefore, since, in order to
- Articles and Quantifiers – much, many, few, little, some, any
- Adjective Clauses and Adverbial Clauses
- Punctuation and Sentence Variety
2. Vocabulary Development
- Advanced Word Families – success/succeed/successful, decide/decision/decisive
- Prefixes and Suffixes – inter-, sub-, mis-, over-, -ness, -tion, -able, -ous
- Synonyms and Antonyms (expanded range)
- Idiomatic Expressions and Phrasal Verbs – run out of, look forward to, give in, break down
- Collocations – heavy traffic, strong argument, take responsibility, make progress
- Academic Vocabulary – analyze, evaluate, determine, demonstrate, predict
- Topic-based Vocabulary – environment, science, technology, global issues, education
3. Reading Comprehension
- Read medium-length passages (180–250 words)
- Identify main ideas, supporting details, and conclusions
- Infer meaning and make logical predictions
- Recognize tone and attitude of the writer
- Understand cause-and-effect relationships
- Interpret information from charts, graphs, or visuals
- Identify synonyms and antonyms in context
4. Listening Skills (Global Round Preparation)
- Listening to short talks, conversations, or interviews
- Identifying gist and detailed information
- Recognizing speaker’s attitude and purpose
- Completing note-taking or gap-fill tasks based on listening
5. Speaking and Communication Skills (Global Round Preparation)
- Describe situations, pictures, and experiences in detail
- Express and justify opinions politely
- Participate in pair or group discussions
- Compare and contrast ideas or options
- Give short presentations or story retellings
- Use connectors and transitions fluently (however, on the other hand, therefore)
6. Writing
- Write structured paragraphs and short essays (80–120 words)
- Use topic sentences, supporting details, and conclusions
- Write formal and informal letters or emails
- Write narrative, descriptive, or opinion paragraphs
- Use transition words for coherence and flow
- Edit for grammar, punctuation, and spelling
7. Question Types in the Olympiad
- Multiple Choice (1 correct answer)
- Multiple Response (2–3 correct answers)
- Fill in the Blank
- Reorder Sentences
- Match Pairs (word meaning)
- True / False
- Short Answer / Writing
8. Recommended Focus Areas
- Grammar practice for intermediate learners
- Reading authentic short texts (articles, stories, news)
- Listening to English podcasts and short lectures
- Practicing role-plays and debates
- Writing descriptive and argumentative paragraphs
1. Grammar and Sentence Structure
- Tenses – all forms including perfect continuous
- Conditionals (Types 0–3, and Mixed)
- Active and Passive Voice (all tenses)
- Direct and Indirect Speech (complex sentences)
- Modal Verbs and Semi-modals – must, have to, ought to, need to, would, should
- Relative Clauses – defining and non-defining
- Gerunds and Infinitives – advanced usage and patterns
- Prepositions-advanced usage (of time, place, cause, and idiomatic use)
- Conjunctions and Connectors-although, whereas, in spite of, consequently, meanwhile
- Reported Questions and Commands
- Inversion for Emphasis (Never have I…, Hardly had he…)
- Subject–Verb Agreement with complex structures
- Punctuation and Sentence Transformation
2. Vocabulary Development
- Academic and Abstract Vocabulary – analyze, evaluate, interpret, demonstrate, justify
- Word Formation – prefixes (anti-, under-, over-, multi-) and suffixes (-tion, -ment, -ness, -able, -ity)
- Phrasal Verbs – bring up, come across, get along, look after, make up, take over
- Idiomatic Expressions and Proverbs – practice makes perfect, the ball is in your court, hit the nail on the head
- Collocations – make progress, take responsibility, have an impact, pay attention
- Synonyms and Antonyms in academic contexts
- Topic-based Vocabulary – environment, media, education, science, technology, globalization.
3. Reading Comprehension
- Read complex passages (250–350 words)
- Identify main ideas, supporting evidence, and author’s attitude
- Infer meaning, tone, and purpose
- Analyze logical connections and argument flow
- Interpret data from charts, tables, and articles
- Distinguish between fact, opinion, and inference
- Summarize information or rewrite a paragraph concisely
4. Listening Skills (Global Round Preparation)
- Listening to academic or general talks, interviews, and discussions
- Recognizing gist, tone, and implied meaning
- Answering multiple-choice and short-response questions
- Identifying attitude, purpose, and specific information
- Completing form-filling, note-taking, and summary tasks
5. Speaking and Communication Skills (Global Round Preparation)
- Discuss abstract and familiar topics fluently
- Present opinions and support them with reasons
- Compare and contrast ideas in discussions
- Deliver short speeches and debates
- Describe complex pictures or charts with accuracy
- Use linking phrases and discourse markers naturally
- Maintain correct pronunciation, stress, and intonation
6. Writing
- Write well-structured essays (120–150 words)
- Compose formal/informal letters and short reports
- Develop argumentative, descriptive, and narrative essays
- Use cohesive devices (however, moreover, consequently)
- Write clear topic sentences and logical conclusions
- Revise and proofread for accuracy and clarity
7. Question Types in the Olympiad
- Multiple Choice (1 correct answer)
- Multiple Response (2–3 correct answers)
- Fill in the Blank
- Reorder Sentences
- Match Pairs (word meaning)
- True / False
- Short Answer / Writing
8. Recommended Focus Areas
- Practice advanced grammar drills and error correction
- Read news articles and short academic essays
- Watch English documentaries and TED-Ed videos
- Write opinion essays and reports regularly
- Practice interactive discussions and debates
1. Grammar and Sentence Structure
- All Tenses including Perfect Continuous and Passive forms
- Conditionals (Types 0–3, Mixed Conditionals, and Inverted Conditionals)
- Active and Passive Voice across all tenses
- Advanced Direct and Indirect Speech (statements, questions, and conditionals)
- Modal Verbs and Semi-modals – must, should, might, would, could, need to, ought to
- Relative Clauses and Noun Clauses
- Gerunds, Infinitives, and Participles (advanced usage)
- Inversion for emphasis (Rarely had I…, Hardly had he…, No sooner…)
- Subjunctive Mood – If I were…, It is essential that…
- Prepositions – advanced usage in idioms and expressions
- Complex Sentences and Parallel Structure
- Punctuation – use of colons, semicolons, and quotation marks
2. Vocabulary Development
- Advanced Academic Vocabulary – analyze, evaluate, interpret, synthesize, justify, demonstrate
- Word Formation and Morphology – prefixes and suffixes (anti-, re-, sub-, -tion, -ity, -ence, -ive)
- Phrasal Verbs – bring about, put off, set up, break into, come up with
- Idioms and Expressions – hit the nail on the head, a blessing in disguise, under the weather
- Collocations – draw a conclusion, set a goal, pay tribute, make an effort
- Synonyms, Antonyms, and Homophones – advanced contextual understanding
- Topic-based Vocabulary – science, economy, politics, globalization, psychology, culture
3. Reading Comprehension
- Read advanced passages (300–400 words) from literature, articles, and essays
- Identify thesis, arguments, and supporting evidence
- Analyze tone, purpose, and perspective of the author
- Interpret figurative language, idioms, and symbolism
- Infer meanings, opinions, and implied information
- Distinguish between fact, inference, and opinion
- Summarize information and paraphrase accurately
4. Listening Skills (Global Round Preparation)
- Listening to academic lectures, interviews, and panel discussions
- Identifying gist, attitude, and purpose of the speaker
- Distinguishing between facts, opinions, and assumptions
- Completing notes, gap-fill, and summary-based tasks
- Understanding tone, emotion, and implied meaning
5. Speaking and Communication Skills (Global Round Preparation)
- Discuss complex issues fluently using rich vocabulary
- Express and defend opinions logically and respectfully
- Debate topics with clear reasoning and evidence
- Deliver short presentations or persuasive speeches
- Describe and interpret data, charts, or images accurately
- Maintain appropriate tone, register, and pronunciation
6. Writing
- Write essays (150–200 words) with clear structure: introduction, body, conclusion
- Compose formal letters, reports, and argumentative essays
- Use cohesive devices and logical connectors (moreover, nevertheless, hence, although)
- Develop strong thesis statements and topic sentences
- Edit and proofread writing for grammatical and stylistic accuracy
- Use varied sentence structures for clarity and impact
7. Question Types in the Olympiad
- Multiple Choice (1 correct answer)
- Multiple Response (2–3 correct answers)
- Fill in the Blank
- Reorder Sentences
- Match Pairs (word meaning)
- True / False
- Short Answer / Writing
8. Recommended Focus Areas
- Practice advanced grammar and vocabulary exercises
- Read essays, academic journals, and news articles
- Listen to TED Talks, debates, and interviews for comprehension practice
- Write analytical and opinion essays regularly
- Engage in discussions and debates to build confidence and fluency
DOWNLOAD
SAMPLE PAPERS & MATERIALS
Practice with these examples to understand the format, sharpen your skills, and prepare for the challenges ahead.
