For most families the SOF International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) is the first competitive exam a child ever sits — and in Class 1 the real question is simply which one book to start with. MTG's Olympiad Prep-Guide (OPG) Mathematics (IMO) is one of the most common answers on the shelf. Here is what it actually contains, who it suits, and where it falls short.
In short: a solid single starter book for a Class 1 child. It combines theory and practice in one volume, the presentation is visual and age-appropriate, and it follows the SOF IMO syllabus and section pattern. Expect to sit with your child while using it, and add past papers in the last few weeks before the exam. Check the current edition on Amazon.
What it is
- Publisher: MTG Learning Media, prepared by the MTG editorial board (no single named author).
- Format: paperback, roughly 100–110 pages, released as an annual edition — buy the 2026–27 printing for this year's exam.
- Written for SOF IMO Level 1 (Level 2 does not apply until Class 3, so a Class 1 child only ever sits Level 1).
- Content is mapped to CBSE, ICSE and IB maths for Class 1, so it doubles as ordinary school revision.
What's inside
The chapters follow the four IMO sections:
| Section | What Class 1 covers |
|---|---|
| Logical reasoning | Patterns, odd-one-out, analogy, spatial sense, series |
| Mathematical reasoning | Numbers to 99, addition & subtraction, shapes, measurement, money, time |
| Everyday mathematics | Simple word problems in real-life contexts |
| Achievers section | A few harder HOTS questions per chapter |
Each chapter gives illustrated theory, worked examples, "Olympiad Bite" trivia boxes, a short self-test, and the Achievers questions. Self-tests recur at intervals so a young child can see progress, and the book includes questions modelled on the most recent actual paper.
Who it's for
- A Class 1 child attempting the IMO — or a school Olympiad — for the first time.
- Parents who want one book with both explanation and practice, rather than juggling two.
- CBSE / ICSE families, since the maths content lines up with school anyway.
Where it falls short
- It is not self-study at this age. A six-year-old needs an adult reading the questions aloud and keeping them on task.
- Fewer practice questions than the dedicated MTG IMO Workbook. Children aiming for a rank usually use both — the Prep-Guide for concepts, the Workbook for volume.
- At Class 1 the mathematics barely goes past the school syllabus; the genuine added value is the logical-reasoning section and getting used to the MCQ / OMR format.
- Editions change every year. An old copy still teaches the concepts but misses recent paper trends.
How to use it
- Two short sessions a week, 15–20 minutes each — one for theory, one for practice.
- Do the logical-reasoning chapters first; they are the least familiar and the most "Olympiad".
- Four to six weeks before the exam, switch to timed past papers (MTG also publishes an IMO Previous Years' Papers booklet).
Verdict
If you want a single, gentle first Olympiad book for a Class 1 child, the MTG Olympiad Prep-Guide does the job and costs very little. Add the Workbook only once your child finishes it comfortably and wants more questions, and move to past papers before exam day.
View the MTG Olympiad Prep-Guide Mathematics (IMO) Class 1 on Amazon →Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time shown and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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