German Chemistry Olympiad¶
Internationale ChemieOlympiade
Key Websites¶
Overview¶
The German selection for the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) is organised by IPN (Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education) at Kiel University under the Science Olympiaden framework. IPN has administered Germany's national chemistry olympiad programme since 1974, making it one of the longest-running IChO selection systems.
Funding is provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), together with the state ministries of education. The Foerderverein Chemie-Olympiade (FChO) supports advanced academic activities and mentoring, while the GDCh (German Chemical Society) contributes sponsorship and recognition awards.
Competition Format¶
Germany uses a four-stage selection process that spans the full academic year:
-
โ Homework problems (AprilโSeptember)
Students register via the Science Olympiaden portal together with a supervising teacher. A set of problems is released in spring and must be submitted by mid-September. Solving them requires independent research beyond the standard school curriculum. Typically between 1,300 and 2,400 students nationwide take part.
-
โ 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.
-
โ Theory seminar (February/March, approximately one week)
The top 60 students nationwide are invited to a residential seminar, traditionally held at the University of Gรถttingen. The programme includes university-level lectures and two written examinations. Successful students advance to the final round.
-
โ 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. The four-member German national team is selected.
A preparatory training seminar is held shortly before the international competition, typically at a German university.
Participation¶
| Stage | Approximate number |
|---|---|
| Round 1 (homework) | 1,300โ2,400 |
| 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 1,500โ2,400 participants.
History¶
- 1968 โ The first IChO is held in Prague (Czechoslovakia). Early editions are dominated by Eastern Bloc nations.
- 1974 โ The IPN in Kiel begins administering the German national selection programme. West Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) starts participating in the IChO.
- 1976 โ The 8th IChO is hosted in Halle, East Germany (GDR).
- 1984 โ The 16th IChO is hosted in Frankfurt am Main, West Germany (FRG).
- 1989 โ The 21st IChO is again hosted in Halle, East Germany (GDR).
- 1990 โ German reunification; from this point, a unified German team competes at the IChO.
- 1992 โ The Fรถrderverein Chemie-Olympiade (FChO) is founded by former IChO contestants to support the selection process and build alumni networks.
- 2004 โ 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).
IChO Medal Record¶
| 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 |