Singapore Junior Chemistry Olympiad (SJChO): parent and student guide (2026)
Study guide/
Singapore Junior Chemistry Olympiad (SJChO): parent and student guide (2026)
In one line
SJChO is a two-round chemistry competition: Round 1 is a 2-hour MCQ theory paper (online, all candidates); Round 2 is a video-based experimental paper (selected candidates only, at NUS).
Key points
The syllabus is based on the GCE O-Level chemistry syllabus, but questions emphasise analytical, reasoning, and creative skills.
It is the junior entry point to Singapore's chemistry olympiad pathway (SJChO then SChO then IChO).
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1 What is SJChO?
2 Eligibility and registration
3 Competition format
4 Syllabus and topics
Q: What is the SJChO (Singapore Junior Chemistry Olympiad)? A: The Singapore Junior Chemistry Olympiad (SJChO) is a national chemistry competition for secondary school students (Sec 3--5 and international grade 10 or below). It is organised by the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC) in partnership with IMRE, ISCE2, NUS, NTU, and SUTD, with support from the Ministry of Education. The competition began in 2010 and now attracts more than 2 000 students from over 80 secondary schools each year.
TL;DR SJChO is a two-round chemistry competition: Round 1 is a 2-hour MCQ theory paper (online, all candidates); Round 2 is a video-based experimental paper (selected candidates only, at NUS). The syllabus is based on the GCE O-Level chemistry syllabus, but questions emphasise analytical, reasoning, and creative skills. It is the junior entry point to Singapore's chemistry olympiad pathway (SJChO then SChO then IChO). Registration deadline for 2026 is 31 March 2026 --- schools register candidates at S$20 per student.
Registration quick answer (Singapore): Schools register candidates through SNIC. The fee is S$20 per student. The registration deadline for 2026 is 31 March 2026. Confirm the current process with your school's chemistry teacher-in-charge or visit snic.org.sg/index.php/event/sjcho.
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SJChO is the junior chemistry route toward SChO.
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Check eligibility, school registration, Round 1 MCQ, Round 2 experimental video paper, fee, deadline, O-Level syllabus, teacher-in-charge, and SChO pathway.
100 seconds
The contest starts from O-Level Chemistry but rewards students who can reason through unfamiliar contexts.
Concrete example
A student should be able to explain titration, mole calculations, and qualitative analysis before trying sample olympiad questions.
Confirm school registration and practise one timed MCQ set without a calculator.
1 What is SJChO?
The Singapore Junior Chemistry Olympiad (SJChO) is a national chemistry competition for secondary school students. It has been running since 2010, initially with support from Raffles Institution, NUS High School, and MOE. Today it is organised by the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC) in partnership with IMRE, ISCE2, NUS, NTU, and SUTD, with continued MOE support.
The competition started with approximately 2 000 students from over 30 schools and has grown to more than 2 000 students from over 80 schools. It targets students who have a strong interest in chemistry and want to develop analytical and problem-solving skills beyond the school syllabus.
All full-time Secondary 3, 4, and 5 students in Singapore. No age limit --- SNIC focuses on academic level, not age.
International students
International school students at grade 10 or below (or age 17 or below) based in Singapore may participate.
School types
Open to all schools in Singapore, including MOE schools, independent schools, and international schools.
Registration
Schools register candidates through SNIC.
Fee
S$20 per student. Payment by e-invoice, bank transfer, or cheque.
Minimum team size
Schools are encouraged to register at least 10 students to guarantee Round 2 representation (for every 10 participants, at least 1 is selected for Round 2).
Registration deadline (2026)
31 March 2026
Individual registration is generally not available --- students must be nominated by their school. Speak to your school's chemistry teacher-in-charge for the nomination process.
3 Competition format
SJChO has two rounds. Both are invigilated by school teachers.
3.1 Round 1 --- MCQ theory paper (all candidates)
Date (2026): 20 May 2026 (Wednesday), 3--5 pm
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Multiple-choice questions (MCQ)
Platform: Online via ClassMarker, taken at the candidate's own school
Scoring: Marks awarded for correct answers only; no penalty for incorrect or blank answers
3.2 Round 2 --- experimental video paper (selected candidates)
Date (2026): 1 July 2026 (Wednesday), 3--5 pm
Venue: NUS (in-person written examination)
Eligibility: Top performers from Round 1 are selected. For every 10 participating students from a school, at least 1 student is selected based on Round 1 scores. Typically the top 20% advance.
Format: Students watch a series of experiment videos and answer open-ended and/or MCQ questions independently. Past sample tasks have involved topics such as enzyme chemistry, UV spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography, and molecular polarity.
Awards
Round 2 participants receive Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Merit e-certificates. Top-performing schools are also recognised across three bands. The Awards Ceremony date for 2026 is to be announced.
Dates and arrangements may change depending on the MOE calendar --- always confirm with the latest SNIC circular.
4 Syllabus and topics
According to SNIC, SJChO questions are based on the GCE Ordinary Level chemistry syllabus. However, the scientific committee produces questions that emphasise analytical, reasoning, and creative skills rather than straightforward recall. The question style differs from the O-Level exam.
Core areas typically covered include:
Atomic structure and bonding: electron configurations, ionic/covalent/metallic bonding, intermolecular forces
Stoichiometry: mole calculations, chemical equations, limiting reagents
Acids, bases, and salts: pH, neutralisation, salt preparation
Redox chemistry: oxidation states, electrochemical cells, reactivity series
SJChO (Sec 3--5) -> SChO (JC1 / equivalent) -> IChO training team -> IChO
Here is how the pipeline works at the senior level:
SChO (Singapore Chemistry Olympiad): Jointly organised by SNIC, the NUS Chemistry Department, and MOE. Open to JC1 (or equivalent) students. Approximately 150 students sit the SChO each year.
Training selection: Based on SChO performance, about 25 students are selected for the IChO training programme. Training is co-led by JC teachers and NUS/NIE lecturers, with sessions on Wednesday afternoons from February to May, plus intensive training during the March and June holidays.
Final team: The top 4 students are selected on merit and undergo further intensive training (including residential training at NUS) before representing Singapore at the IChO.
SJChO does not directly select the IChO team, but strong SJChO performers gain early exposure to olympiad-style thinking, which gives them a head start when they move on to SChO in JC.
SJChO is explicitly based on the GCE O-Level chemistry syllabus. Master the core topics --- stoichiometry, bonding, acids and bases, redox, organic chemistry --- before attempting extension material.
Use the official sample papers
SNIC publishes past Round 1 MCQ papers and a Round 2 sample task with model answers on their website. These are the best preparation resource because they show the actual difficulty level and question style.
Develop analytical reasoning
The SJChO committee emphasises that questions focus on analytical, reasoning, and creative skills. Practise interpreting unfamiliar data, working through multi-step problems, and reasoning about experiments you have not seen before.
Read ahead selectively
Exposure to introductory A-Level topics (energetics, equilibrium, organic mechanisms) can help with harder questions, but the core syllabus remains O-Level.
Prepare for the experimental round
Round 2 involves watching experiment videos and answering questions about what you observe. Practise reading and interpreting experimental data --- chromatography results, spectroscopy graphs, enzyme kinetics --- even if you have not performed those experiments yourself.
Textbooks and resources
The SEAB GCE O-Level chemistry syllabus document (freely available)
Your school's O-Level or IP chemistry textbook for the core content
SNIC sample papers from the official website
For extension: introductory chapters of A-Level chemistry textbooks on energetics, equilibrium, and organic mechanisms
SNIC does not publish a separate syllabus document beyond specifying the O-Level syllabus --- if you want to know exactly what is testable, the SEAB syllabus is the reference.
7 Building strong foundations
Olympiad chemistry --- even at the junior level --- rewards students who have fully internalised the core curriculum before reaching for extensions. Students who are still building confidence in fundamental chemistry concepts benefit from structured support.
Eclat does not offer olympiad-specific tuition, but our tuition programmes focus on building deep conceptual understanding:
Strong foundations in the school curriculum are the essential first step before tackling olympiad-level material.
Frequently Asked Questions about SJChO
What is the Singapore Junior Chemistry Olympiad (SJChO)?
The SJChO is a national chemistry competition for secondary school students (Sec 3--5), organised by the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC) in partnership with IMRE, ISCE2, NUS, NTU, and SUTD, with MOE support. It has been running since 2010 and now attracts more than 2 000 students from over 80 schools.
Who organises SJChO?
The Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC) organises SJChO in partnership with IMRE, ISCE2, NUS, NTU, and SUTD. MOE provides support. The competition was previously associated with CDAC; it is now under SNIC.
Who is eligible for SJChO?
All full-time Secondary 3, 4, and 5 students in Singapore. International school students at grade 10 or below (or age 17 or below) based in Singapore are also eligible. There is no age limit --- SNIC focuses on academic level.
How do I register for SJChO?
Schools register candidates through SNIC. The fee is S$20 per student. Individual sign-up is generally not available --- speak to your school's chemistry teacher-in-charge. The 2026 registration deadline is 31 March 2026.
What is the SJChO exam format?
SJChO has two rounds:
Round 1: 2-hour MCQ theory paper, taken online via ClassMarker at the candidate's own school. All registered candidates participate.
Round 2: Selected candidates (typically top 20%) attend NUS for a written paper based on experiment videos, answering open-ended and/or MCQ questions.
What topics does SJChO cover?
SJChO is based on the GCE O-Level chemistry syllabus, but questions emphasise analytical, reasoning, and creative skills. Topics include atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, acids and bases, redox, organic chemistry, energetics, and rates of reaction. Round 2 adds experimental reasoning.
Are there past papers available?
Yes. SNIC publishes past Round 1 MCQ papers and a Round 2 sample task with model answers on their website at snic.org.sg.
What are the SJChO award bands?
Round 2 participants receive Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Merit e-certificates. Top-performing schools are recognised across three bands. Cut-offs are set by the organisers each cycle.
How does SJChO connect to SChO and IChO?
The pathway is SJChO (Sec 3--5) then SChO (JC1) then IChO training team then IChO. SJChO identifies talented secondary school chemists early. Strong performers gain olympiad experience that prepares them for SChO in JC.
When is SJChO 2026?
Registration deadline: 31 March 2026
Round 1: 20 May 2026 (Wednesday), 3--5 pm, online
Round 2: 1 July 2026 (Wednesday), 3--5 pm, at NUS
Awards Ceremony: TBA
Dates may change depending on the MOE calendar --- confirm with the latest SNIC circular.
Is SJChO useful for DSA or scholarship applications?
A strong SJChO result (especially a Gold or Silver award from Round 2) can support DSA, scholarship, or special programme applications, particularly for students aiming at JC science programmes. Confirm with your target institution's admissions criteria.
Does Eclat offer SJChO preparation?
Eclat does not offer olympiad-specific tuition. However, our IP Chemistry tuition and O-Level Chemistry tuition build the strong foundations that are essential for any advanced chemistry work, including olympiad preparation.
