Brainiacs Geography Olympiad Mechanics

The Brainiacs Geography Olympiad is a globally renowned competition aimed at encouraging creativity, innovation, and academic excellence in students from Grade 7 to Grade 12. The Olympiad is structured into two main stages: the Preliminary Round and the Global 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 the same, but feature different questions. Those who did not qualify for the global round in the first online round, along with those who were absent from the first round, can 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

The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 75 minutes. Questions are tailored to the participant’s educational level and divided into the following categories:

• Category 1: Grades 7 and 8
• Category 2: Grades 9 and 10
• Category 3: Grades 11 and 12

 

Scoring

• Easy Questions: +1 for each correct answer
• Normal Questions: +2 points for each correct answer
• Difficult Questions: +3 points for each correct answer
• Incorrect Answer: No negative marking for any question
• Unanswered Questions: No points deducted

 

Qualification

Participants scoring at least 40% in the Preliminary Round qualify for the Global Round. Every participant receives a Certificate of Participation.

 

Recognition

In the Preliminary Round, medals are awarded based on the points earned by the participants:

• 40 to 49 : Honorable Mention Certificate
• 50 to 74 : Bronze Medal
• 75 to 89 : Silver Medal
• 90 to 100 : Gold Medal

 

GLOBAL ROUND

 

The Global Round is the final stage of the competition, where participants showcase their knowledge and ability.

 

Registration

Students can register for the Olympiad through the official Brainiacs Olympiad website or via authorized representatives in their respective countries.

 

Dates and Venue

Global Round of the 2nd Brainiacs Olympiad will take place in Xiamen University Malaysia from March 24 to 30, 2026.

• Standard Registration Deadline: February 1, 2026
• Late Registration Deadline: March 1, 2026

 

Exam Days

Global Round exam format is different from Preliminary Round. It has both Theoretical and Practical parts separated in two consecutive examination days.

 

Day 1. Theoretical Part

This is the traditional portion of a geography exam – it tests understanding of geographical concepts, reasoning, and analytical interpretation of maps, data, and texts.

Examples:

• Answering questions about physical and human geography (e.g., “What are the main factors that influence climate zones?”)
• Explaining geographical processes or patterns over time (e.g., urbanization, erosion, migration)
• Analyzing maps, diagrams, graphs, or written texts and drawing conclusions
• Short-answer or multiple-choice conceptual questions on location, spatial patterns, causes, and effects

Purpose:

To test geographical knowledge, critical thinking, interpretation of data and maps, and the ability to explain and connect processes, patterns, and interactions within local, regional, and global contexts.

 

Day 1. Exam Format

The exam consists of 35 questions divided into three levels of difficulty:

• Easy: 10 multiple-choice questions
• Normal: 10 multiple-choice questions
• Difficult: 10 multiple-choice questions
• Open-ended: 5 questions

The exam consists of 30 multiple-choice and 5 open-ended questions to be completed within 120 minutes.

 

Day 1. Exam Scoring

• Easy Questions: +1 points for each correct answer
• Normal Questions: +2 points for each correct answer
• Difficult Questions: +3 points for each correct answer
• Open-ended Questions: +8 points for full correct answer
• Incorrect Answer: No negative marking for any question
• Unanswered Question: No points deducted

 

Day 2. Practical Part

The practical part checks how students can apply geographical knowledge and analytical skills in real-world or investigative situations (using maps, data, or spatial evidence).

Examples:

• Interpreting physical, political, or thematic maps to identify patterns and relationships
• Analyzing geographic data such as climate graphs, population charts, or land-use maps to draw conclusions
• Conducting a short investigation on a geographic question
• Comparing different regions or environments to understand human–environment interactions

Purpose:

To test application of knowledge, spatial analysis, data interpretation, research, and the ability to use geographic evidence to explain real-world patterns and processes.

 

Day 2. Exam Format and Scoring

The exam consists of 2 tasks of 50 points each:

• Map-Based / Data Analysis Task (indoor)
• Fieldwork / Observational Task (outdoor)

Map-based tasks involve using, interpreting, or creating maps to understand spatial patterns, relationships, and geographical processes. They help students visualize the connection between places, environments, and human activity, turning abstract data into spatial understanding. Maps may be physical, political, topographic, climatic, economic, population, or thematic, depending on the topic studied.

Data analysis tasks require students to interpret, process, and evaluate geographical data to understand patterns, trends, and relationships in the physical or human environment.
These tasks may involve numerical, graphical, or visual data such as tables, charts, maps, or satellite images.

Fieldwork and observational tasks involve collecting, recording, and analyzing information directly from the environment — either outdoors (in the field) or virtually (through maps, videos, or satellite imagery). Students use observation, measurement, and recording techniques to investigate physical geographical features.

The exam is to be completed within 120 minutes.

 

Global Round Recognition

In the Global Round, medals are awarded based on the percentage distribution according to the number of participants.

• The top 10% (0-10%) of participants receive gold medals.
• The next 20% (11-30%) of participants receive silver medals.
• The next 30% (31-60%) of participants receive bronze medals.
• The next 15% (61-75%) receive honorable mentions.

 

Languages
All of the questions in Preliminary and Global Rounds will be in 4 languages: English, Russian, French, and Spanish.