About

Students compete as individuals in Junior (10th grade and below), Youth (11th to 13th grade), and Senior (university) groups, all on the same problems, with higher groups needing more points to advance. The Qualification Round is submitted online and may be worked on with friends; the Pre-Final and Final are supervised and individual. The Pre-Final includes reading a research paper in advance, and financial aid is available for its fee. Finalists receive a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Honour. First through third place in each group win $100 to $250, and the best participant per country receives a national certificate.

Because the Qualification Round is open and collaborative, and everyone receives a certificate, participation alone is a weak signal; the credential starts at the Pre-Final and is strongest at a Final Honour or prize. The organizer describes itself as independent, with most staff in Germany, and says Pre-Final fees help fund the competition. It reports 45,000 participants since 2018 but publishes no Final-round count.

A Final Honour or prize shows a student advanced through three rounds against an international field.