International STEM Competition
The online qualification round is a set of exams during certain dates for students in grades 3 to 12, for a chance to secure a spot in the XPERTSTEM Elite Finals.
XPERTSTEM
Competition Stages
The XPERTSTEM Competition is held every year for students in Grades 3 to 12. All tests are prepared by the XPERTSTEM Academic Coordinators in multiple-choice format (MCQ) with four answer options. Not all questions carry the same points. For example, a correct answer to question 12 might earn 1.3 points, while question 24 might earn only 0.9 points.
The XPERTSTEM Competition offers students two pathways to the Elite Finals:
Pathway A: Qualification Round (Online or Onsite) → Elite Finals
Pathway B: National Finals → Elite Finals, or National Finals → Regional Finals → Elite Finals
Each stage gives students a new opportunity to compete, earn recognition and advance further.
How Does the Qualification Round Work?
The Qualification Round is a preliminary stage where students showcase their Science, English and Mathematics skills to earn a place in the XPERTSTEM Elite Finals. There are two types of qualification round: the Online Qualification Round and the Onsite (paper-based) Qualification Round.
Online Qualification Round
The Online Qualification Round is an initial, remote phase that determines which participants advance. It is designed to test fundamental knowledge, skills and problem-solving abilities to ensure that all competitors meet a certain standard. The results are used to create a leaderboard, and top-ranking students earn the chance to compete in the Elite Finals.
Students who wish to participate must register by filling out the Registration Form on our website. Students can take the tests from home or school.
The Online Qualification Round consists of three qualification tests, held on different dates and covering different parts of the syllabus:
Test 1: Ignition Test covers the first chapter of the syllabus.
Test 2: Acceleration Test covers the second chapter of the syllabus.
Test 3: Final Orbit Test covers the third chapter of the syllabus.
The difficulty of the questions depends on the student’s grade. Each test has 30 multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 80 minutes.
To qualify for the XPERTSTEM Elite Finals, students must score at least 60 points in any one of the tests. After completing a test, students receive a participation certificate, an achievement certificate (Gold, Silver or Bronze) and, if they qualify, a qualification letter for the Elite Finals. Gold medallists receive a 10% discount on the submission fee for the Elite Finals.
There is no language option for the Online Qualification Round; the official competition language is English.
Onsite Qualification Round
The Onsite Qualification Round is a paper-based test. Dates and venues are set together with our national partner(s), and the test may be offered in the local language.
The difficulty of the questions depends on the student’s grade. The test has 30 multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 80 minutes.
To qualify for the XPERTSTEM Elite Finals, students must score at least 60 points in the onsite test. After completing the test, students receive a participation certificate, an achievement certificate (Gold, Silver or Bronze) and, if they qualify, a qualification letter for the Elite Finals. Gold medallists receive a 10% discount on the submission fee for the Elite Finals.
National Finals
The National Finals are held in each participating country and organised together with our national partners. They bring together students from that country to compete for the title of National XPERTSTEM Champion.
Who can participate: Any student in Grades 3 to 12 can join the National Finals. Taking part in the Qualification Round is not required.
Format: An individual test of 30 multiple-choice questions covering all three chapters of the syllabus, with a time limit of 80 minutes. The National Finals may be held onsite at venues selected by our national partners or online, on dates set separately for each country.
Language: English or the local language, as agreed with the national partner.
Awards: National medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze), certificates and national rankings.
Progression: Top-ranking students qualify directly for the Elite Finals or advance to the Regional Finals.
Regional Finals
The Regional Finals bring together national finalists from several countries within the same region, such as Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Asia or the Americas, to compete at an international level.
Who can participate: Top-ranking students from the National Finals.
Format: The Regional Finals consist of two components, held in a host city in the region:
Individual Test: 30 multiple-choice questions covering all three chapters of the syllabus, with a time limit of 80 minutes.
Theory Challenge: 15 two-tier questions, with a time limit of 150 minutes.
Language: English.
Awards: Regional medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze), certificates and regional rankings.
Progression: Top-ranking students earn a place in the XPERTSTEM Elite Finals.
Elite Finals
The XPERTSTEM Elite Finals are the highest stage of the competition, where the best students from around the world compete for the global XPERTSTEM titles. The Elite Finals are planned to be held in:
London, United Kingdom
Boston, United States
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
STEP 1
Click REGISTER NOW! on the www.xpertstem.org
STEP 2
Select qualification test you would like to register for.
STEP 3
Select grade division you would like to register in.
STEP 4
Fill in your details on the submission form.
STEP 5
Make the payment to submit your registration
Qualıfıcatıon Rounds
Timeline for XPERTSTEM Qualification Tests
IGNITION TEST
- First test of the Online Qualification round.
- 30 multiple-choice questions from the first chapter of the syllabus.
- 80 minutes time limit for finishing the test.
Deadline: 2nd December 2026
Test date: 5th December 2026
ACCELERATION TEST
- Second test of the Online Qualification round.
-30 multiple-choice questions from the second chapter of the syllabus.
- 80 minutes time limit for finishing the test.
Deadline: 27th January 2027
Test date: 30th January 2027
FINAL ORBIT TEST
- Third test of the Online Qualification round.
- 30 multiple-choice questions from the third chapter of the syllabus.
- 80 minutes time limit for finishing the test.
Deadline: 17th March 2027
Test date: 20th March 2027
FAQ
FAQs aboutQualification Round
The XPERTSTEM Competition will offer a practice tests for each subject and grade division that cover entire syllabus who want to assess their knowledge before the exam. Please note that the practice test is free of charge. The purpose of the practice test is to help students familiarize themselves with the concepts covered in the Online Qualification Rounds. The practice test will also be in a multiple-choice question (MCQ) format.
The XPERTSTEM Competition allows all students to select a language for the Onsite Qualification Tests. Questions will be available in any local language. However, there is no language option for the Online Qualification Tests and XPERTSTEM Elite Finals. The competition and communication language for the XPERTSTEM Elite Finals is only English.
After completing one of four the Qualification test, students will receive certificates based on their results:
30 to 59 points: Honourable Mention Certificate
60 to 69 points: Bronze Medal Certificate
70 to 89 points: Silver Medal Certificate
90 points and above: Gold Medal Certificate
Students who earn a gold medal in the Qualification Phase will receive a 10% discount on the submission fee for the any XPERTSTEM Elite Finals. The 10% discount code is valid for only 30 days.
Physical medals can be sent to the student’s school address for an additional cost.
- Students can use any suitable electronic device for the exam platform: Laptop, Desktop, Tablet, Smartphone etc.
- Recommended browser for the exam platform: Chrome
- Students must have a stable internet connection.
- Access the exam link via the email address provided during registration.
- Exam time starts at the announced time when the student clicks the Start button.
- Students cannot open the exam link on two different devices.
- If a student loses connection during the exam, they can resume from where they left off.
- Once submitted, students cannot review the questions.
- Only one question will be visible on the screen at a time; students cannot return to skipped questions.
- Students are allowed to use a blank sheet of paper while answering questions.
- No type of calculator is permitted during the exam.
Exam time for Preliminary Online Rounds is 10AM in UK time.
Please click www.thetimezoneconvertor.com to convert exam time in your local time.
Exam Evaluation Criteria
All XPERTSTEM Qualification Tests and XPERTSTEM Elite Final exams are prepared and conducted by XPERTSTEM’s highly experienced International Educators Committee, comprised of experts from around the world. These rounds provide students with an excellent opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills while competing against peers on a global scale.
While the XPERTSTEM Competition syllabus is aligned with the academic curriculum students follow in their schools, achieving success requires additional preparation. Students are encouraged to go beyond their regular coursework by practicing a variety of questions and deepening their understanding of the subject matter. Excelling in the XPERTSTEM Qualification Round and ultimately the XPERTSTEM Elite Finals demands a thorough grasp of the material.
To support students in their preparation, we offer practice tests before qualification round. Participating in these tests helps students become familiar with the types of questions they may encounter during the competition. Solving a wide range of questions is crucial, as it enhances students’ ability to tackle similar questions that may appear in the actual exam.
Additionally, effective time management is a key factor in succeeding in such a competitive environment. Students must learn how to allocate appropriate time to each question during the test. Those who finish the test in a shorter time will earn additional points, increasing their chances of qualifying for the XPERTSTEM Elite Finals.
