Nesmo Olympiad: 99,000 students begin science and mathematics tests

The inaugural edition of the National Science and Mathematics Olympiad, "Nasmo," , with over 99,000 male and female students from across Saudi Arabia participating in the preliminary tests. This national educational competition is a strategic initiative aimed at discovering and nurturing talented students in the exact scientific fields and preparing them to compete internationally.

National context for enhancing human capabilities

The launch of the "Nesmo" Olympiad aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , specifically the Human Capital Development Program, which aims to cultivate globally competitive citizens. This competition is a cornerstone of the early talent identification system, as it is not merely a passing exam, but a comprehensive scientific journey that begins in school and culminates on the world stage. The large number of participants (99,000 students) reflects the growing interest in science and mathematics within Saudi educational circles and the desire to invest in young minds.

Competition stages and schedule

The Olympiad targets public school students from the first year of middle school to the first year of high school, and covers vital disciplines including: science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and informatics. The competition goes through several rigorous stages to select the elite

• Phase One (Cities and Governorates Competition): It started today and the tests and training will continue from February 8 to 12, 2026.
• Phase Two (Education Departments Level): Includes in-person training and tests for the General Directorates of Education from April 4 to 9, 2026.
• Phase Three (Intensive Training): Includes departmental training and national team competition testing from April 25 to 30, 2026.
• Final stage: It culminates in two tests (theoretical and practical) during the period from May 16 to 21, 2026.

These stages are preceded by asynchronous training through the “Olympiad Library”, to ensure the students’ scientific readiness.

Objectives and expected impact

The impact of the "Nesmo" Olympiad extends beyond the student to encompass the entire educational system. Locally , the competition aims to localize training on the Olympiad's curriculum within education departments and enhance teacher competency by involving them in training and development processes, which positively impacts the quality of education in classrooms.

On the international , the final outcomes of this Olympiad will form the main source of support for the "Mawhiba" program for international Olympiads for the years 2026-2027. Outstanding students will be nominated to prepare them to represent the Kingdom in major international competitions, continuing the journey of Saudi achievements that have made qualitative leaps in winning international medals in recent years.

Those in charge of “Nasmo” seek to instill a passion for knowledge, enhance higher-order thinking skills such as analysis and deduction, and create a positive competitive environment that highlights young national talents capable of shaping the future.