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Q: What does Vanda Science International Competition - 2025/26 Guide for IP Maths & Physics Families cover? A: What the Vanda Science International Competition (VSIC) tests, how it is scored, why its mixed-discipline paper dovetails with IP Math & Physics learning goals.
TL;DR VANDA National Junior Science Olympiad (VNJSO) is a SIMCC science competition for students from Primary 3 to Secondary 4. The organiser publishes the test format and awards on the official VNJSO site (details can change between cycles), so use that as your source of truth before you register or plan practice.
Registration quick answer (Singapore): SIMCC publishes registration instructions for private candidates and school candidates on the official VNJSO registration page - confirm the latest steps, dates, venues and fees before paying: https://vanda.simcc.org/register-for-competition/
Registration & Access: Open-entry - register through your school or as a private candidate via SIMCC's VNJSO registration page. No school nomination required.
1 Who runs Vanda and who can enter?
Organiser: Singapore International Mastery Contests Centre (SIMCC).
Levels: Primary 3 (P3) to Secondary 4 (S4) (SIMCC also labels this as Grade 3 to Grade 10/11).
Awards progression: SIMCC states that top winners may be invited to compete at STEAM AHEAD – VANDA International Junior Science Olympiad in December (see the official Awards section for the current criteria).
Registration: SIMCC’s official VNJSO page notes registration via the SIMCC country organiser, and the VNJSO registration page outlines the flow for school and private candidates.
2 Paper format at a glance
SIMCC publishes the VNJSO test format on its official site (see the “Format of the Test” section on the VNJSO homepage). Because format, marking, and award criteria can change between cycles, treat the official page as the source of truth when you plan timed practice.
Practical takeaway for IP families: train for a mixed-domain science paper with reasoning-heavy questions (not just recall), and practise using the current published format rather than an old brief.
3 Why Vanda dovetails with IP Maths & Physics
3.1 Process-skills questions echo WA data handling
SIMCC describes VNJSO as focusing on critical and creative thinking. In practice, that often shows up as questions that reward
(not just recall) - skills that transfer well to IP Weighted Assessments (WAs).
3.2 Careless mistakes still cost marks
Even without relying on a specific marking scheme, science competition questions are unforgiving when you rush units, signs, or key constraints in the stem. Use an error-analysis loop like our Reducing Careless Mistakes drills and apply it to timed practice.
Because VNJSO draws across science domains, students practise reading unfamiliar contexts carefully, identifying what’s relevant, and translating that into a structured solution - a useful habit for higher-level science papers later on.
4 Training timeline for IP families
Phase
Weeks before Round 1
Focus
Concrete drill
Bridging
8-6 weeks
Speed algebra & unit conversion
30 two-step conversions (J→eV, nm→m) nightly
Core
5-3 weeks
Topic content gaps
Summarise one science domain daily in Cornell notes
Simulation
2 weeks
Full-length timed practice
Practise using the current official VNJSO format; flag careless slips in red
Taper
Final week
Rapid-fire MCQ
3 x 15-item sets under 20 min each
Parents can repurpose our 12-week IP Physics “grade-jump” camp checklist; swap the past-year WA slot for VNJSO practice aligned to the official format.
5 Practical entry & admin tips
School vs private entry: SIMCC’s VNJSO registration page outlines separate flows for school candidates and private candidates (Singapore).
Register early: SIMCC notes that entry can be first-come-first-served (depending on the country organiser and capacity).
Fees and refunds: SIMCC’s registration page states contest fees are generally non-refundable; confirm the current policy before paying.
Use the official format: practise with the current published VNJSO format and awards criteria (these can change between cycles).
6 Bridging Vanda prep back into IP WAs
Error log → paste wrong-option stems into a Google Sheet, tag the misconception (units, sign, concept).
Explain-your-working habit → write 2–3 lines explaining why an answer is correct (not just what the answer is).
Timed conditions → practise with a timer to build reading discipline and reduce rushing.
Parents: slot a full-length timed mock using the current official VNJSO format; review careless-tag patterns with your teen. Students: drill a short mixed-topic set every other day, and keep an error log that tracks the exact reason each mistake happened (concept, reading, units, or time pressure).
9 DSA / Admissions Value
A strong Vanda (VNJSO) result - particularly a Gold or Silver award - can be included in a Direct School Admission (DSA-Sec) portfolio under the Science or STEM talent domain. Because the competition tests across multiple science disciplines, a medal signals broad scientific reasoning ability, which IP schools value. Include your award certificate and, where relevant, a brief note on your preparation approach when assembling your DSA application. Always check each target school's current DSA criteria, as evaluation weightings vary.
10 When to Start Preparing
For students sitting Vanda (VNJSO) for the first time, starting preparation about 6-8 weeks before the competition date is a reasonable timeline. Begin by reviewing the current official format on the SIMCC VNJSO page so your practice matches the actual paper structure. Spend the first 2-3 weeks closing content gaps across physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science using your school textbooks and notes. The remaining weeks should focus on timed practice under exam conditions, with an error log to track recurring mistake types (units, reading errors, concept gaps). Students who have sat other science competitions (such as SPSO or HKISO) may need less lead time but should still practise the specific VNJSO format.
Frequently Asked Questions about Vanda (VNJSO) 2026
What is the Vanda Science International Competition (VNJSO)?
VNJSO (VANDA National Junior Science Olympiad) is a science competition organised by the Singapore International Mastery Contests Centre (SIMCC). It is open to students from Primary 3 to Secondary 4 and tests reasoning across multiple science domains.
When is Vanda (VNJSO) 2026?
Vanda 2026 dates are published by SIMCC on the official VNJSO page. Check vanda.simcc.org for the confirmed 2026 competition date and registration window.
How do I register for Vanda (VNJSO) 2026?
Registration is via SIMCC's country organiser. SIMCC's registration page outlines the flow for both school candidates and private candidates in Singapore. Confirm deadlines and fees before registering.
What is the Vanda (VNJSO) format?
SIMCC publishes the test format on its official VNJSO page. The competition covers reasoning-based science questions across multiple domains. Because format details can change between cycles, always check vanda.simcc.org for the current published format before planning practice.
Does Vanda (VNJSO) help with DSA applications?
A strong Vanda result (Gold or Silver) can be included in a DSA-Sec portfolio under Science or STEM talent domains. Check each target school's DSA page for how they evaluate competition results.
What topics does Vanda (VNJSO) test?
VNJSO tests across multiple science domains including physics, chemistry, biology, and earth/integrated science. Questions focus on reasoning and application rather than pure recall, making it a good complement to IP science preparation.
Can private candidates enter Vanda (VNJSO)?
Yes. SIMCC's registration page outlines a separate flow for private candidates in Singapore. Confirm the current process and fees on the official registration page.
Can my child prepare for Vanda without tuition?
Yes. Vanda is a mixed maths-and-science MCQ contest, and the majority of the content is covered by the standard school syllabus. Students who read widely in science and are comfortable with data-interpretation questions are well-placed to do well without external help. Practising with SIMCC sample papers and reviewing any weaker science topics is usually sufficient. See our competition prep resources guide for free preparation materials.
Last updated 29 Jan 2026. Next review when SIMCC updates VNJSO format/registration details.
