About the IQanat Olympiad

The Foundation holds the IQanat national olympiad with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It reaches about 50,000 eighth-graders every year. The IQanat Olympiad is included in the List of national and international olympiads and research project competitions (academic contests).

Through the olympiad, the Foundation selects rural students for three years of free preparation for university grants in Kazakhstan and around the world. As part of this programme, rural school students have received grants to leading universities including Nazarbayev University, Purdue University, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the University of Chicago and others.

Goals and objectives of our olympiad

The main goal of the Olympiad is to help build the intellectual potential of students from rural general education schools and to increase rural students’ motivation.

Objectives:

- to create the best conditions for identifying gifted students in secondary education organisations, supporting their further intellectual development and career guidance;

- to support personal self-realisation and self-development, and to prepare students for future academic and professional challenges.

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1

find and support determined rural students and help them reveal their abilities

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2

broaden rural students’ horizons, teach them to believe in themselves and give them opportunities

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3

help them find an experienced mentor for the entire period of study

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4

choose a future profession and a university for admission on a grant

iQanat Olympiad

Olympiad registration

To take part in the qualifying stage, grade 8 students from rural schools register on the IQanat platform 30 days before the olympiad begins.

A participant who completes the IQanat Olympiad registration form agrees to the procedure and rules set out in the Regulations.

Stage 1 — District

Winners of the qualifying stage receive a notification about advancing to Stage 1 in their personal account on iqanat.kz. Based on Stage 1 results, participants with the highest total scores in their regions advance to Stage 2.
The comprehensive test consists of 40 questions:
1) mathematical literacy — 10 questions;
2) logical thinking — 10 questions;
3) reading literacy — 10 questions;
4) Kazakh language — 10 questions.
40 questions in total.
Time allowed for Stage 1 — 80 minutes.

Stage 2 — Regional

Winners receive a notification about advancing to Stage 2 in their personal account on iqanat.kz. Participation is in person at regional centres. Based on Stage 2 results, participants with the highest total scores in their regions are invited to the final stage.
Stage 2 is subject-oriented. In addition to three compulsory areas, students take a test in English and one elective subject:
1. Biology — 10 questions;
2. Geography — 10 questions;
3. History of Kazakhstan — 10 questions;
4. Mathematics — 10 questions;
5. Physics — 10 questions;
6. Chemistry — 10 questions;
50 questions in total.
Time allowed for Stage 2 — 100 minutes.

Stage 3 — National (Final)

Stage 3 is open to participants who receive a Final invitation in their personal account.
Participation in Stage 3 is in person. Full details are published on iqanat.kz.
Based on Stage 3 results, a list of candidates is formed who receive a conditional invitation to study at IQanat School. The remaining finalists join the three-year post-olympiad support programme.
Testing covers the following areas and subjects:
- logical thinking — 10 questions;
- mathematical literacy — 15 questions;
- reading literacy — 10 questions;
- the subject chosen at Stage 2 — 15 questions;
- English — 10 questions.
60 questions in total.
Time allowed — 120 minutes.

Answer sheet instructions

A detailed video guide on how to fill in the answer sheet at the iQanat Olympiad

IQanat Olympiad regulations

Regulations on organising and holding the IQanat Olympiad

Finally, we would like to tell parents and all interested organisations and individuals that all Foundation projects are made possible by the support of trustees — Kazakhstani entrepreneurs — and the administrative support of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

We are proud of the high level of trust shown by business and the state, and we promise to keep helping rural young people truly unlock their potential.