Is it now called OSN or KSN?

The current official name is OSN, the National Science Olympiad, used through 2026. The term National Science Competition or KSN was used only in 2020 and 2021, then returned to OSN from 2022. It is organized by Kemendikdasmen through Puspresnas and BPTI.

When is the ideal time to start OSN preparation?

Ideally one to two years before the target selection, with gradual stages from basic material to olympiad level. Starting earlier gives room to complete the foundation calmly. Consistent practice matters more than hours of study in a single day.

What fields are competed in OSN?

Elementary and junior high each compete in three fields, namely Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. High school competes in nine fields: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, Informatics, Economics, Earth Science, and Geography. Each student focuses on one field.

Can an OSN medal directly enter university without a test?

The idea that an OSN medal automatically enters university without a test is an old myth. OSN achievement is a strong supporting value, both in the SNBP achievement component and in several university achievement pathways. All those pathways remain selective and competitive.

How to Prepare for OSN from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Roadmap

Preparing for OSN from scratch starts with mastering the basic material in the official syllabus, then climbing gradually to olympiad-level problems through targeted practice. OSN is the National Science Olympiad organized by Kemendikdasmen through Puspresnas and BPTI, tiered from school to national level. Consistent preparation from early on widens the chance of advancing far.

Master the basics via the official syllabus before olympiad problems
OSN is tiered: school, district, province, then national
Targeted practice with a mentor speeds up progress

What You Need

The official OSN syllabus per field from Puspresnas or BPTI
Foundational textbooks for your grade level
Past OSN problems with their solutions

7 Steps of the OSN Preparation Roadmap

These seven steps arrange preparation from foundation to ready-to-compete. Run them in order and give each stage time to mature.

Make the official syllabus your study map

Puspresnas and BPTI release an OSN syllabus per field covering competencies from basic to olympiad-level development. Make this syllabus your main map so study stays focused and does not sprawl. Understanding the scope of material early helps set the right priorities.

Tips

Download the syllabus for your chosen field from official Puspresnas or BPTI sources
Mark the topics you have mastered and those still to learn

Master the basics until solid

Olympiad problems are built on a strong grasp of basic concepts. Start by completing the curriculum material in your chosen field. A solid foundation eases the leap to high-level problems. Forcing olympiad problems without a strong base only breeds frustration.

Tips

Make sure core concepts are understood well enough to re-explain
Strengthen prerequisite fields, such as math for physics

Climb gradually to olympiad-level problems

Once the basics are strong, raise the difficulty step by step from medium problems toward OSN level. Get to know the distinctive reasoning patterns of olympiad problems that demand deep thinking. A gradual rise protects confidence while expanding ability.

Tips

Alternate school problems with entry-level olympiad problems
Study the extra concepts that often appear in OSN problems

Practice with targeted feedback

The most useful practice is designed to target specific weaknesses, with immediate feedback and repeated improvement. This approach is known as deliberate practice in the research of Anders Ericsson. Targeted, quality practice yields faster progress than simply piling up the number of problems.

Tips

Record recurring mistake types and drill those parts specifically
Ask a mentor for feedback on your solving methods

Practice volume alone is not enough. The quality of coaching, concept understanding, and consistency matter just as much.

Study with a structured mentor

A mentor helps arrange material in tiers, gives direction, and keeps motivation up. Consistent meetings, for example two to three times a week, are more useful than long but rare sessions. A good mentor encourages students to seek sources actively and understand concepts deeply.

Tips

Set a regular coaching schedule you can keep consistently
Choose a mentor who emphasizes understanding over memorizing answers

Simulate real exam conditions

Take full mock tests under conditions resembling the selection to train rhythm and endurance. During the exam, work the problems you have mastered first, flag the hard ones, and return at the end so you do not get stuck on one problem. Regular simulation builds calm on selection day.

Tips

Schedule full simulations with official time limits regularly
Practice the strategy of securing easy problems first

Protect mental and physical condition

Mental and physical preparation matter as much as mastering the material. Stay calm when meeting hard problems, and trust the preparation you have done. Enough sleep, balanced nutrition, and light exercise keep the brain sharp before and during the selection.

Tips

Practice calming techniques before and during the exam
Keep seven to eight hours of sleep, especially near the selection

Abbreviation	Level	Description
OSN-S	School	Internal selection at each school
OSN-K	District/City	District or city level selection
OSN-P	Province	Provincial level selection
OSN	National	The national final brings together the best across Indonesia

How to Prepare for OSN from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Roadmap

Want focused OSN preparation?

OSN by the Numbers

Getting to know OSN and its stages

7 Steps of the OSN Preparation Roadmap

Make the official syllabus your study map

Master the basics until solid

Climb gradually to olympiad-level problems

Practice with targeted feedback

Study with a structured mentor

Simulate real exam conditions

Protect mental and physical condition

OSN Selection Stages

Checklist to Start OSN Preparation

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & References