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
- The official OSN syllabus per field from Puspresnas or BPTI
- Foundational textbooks for your grade level
- Past OSN problems with their solutions
- A regular practice schedule and a progress notebook
OSN by the Numbers
Getting to know OSN and its stages
OSN is the National Science Olympiad, a science competition for students organized by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education through the National Achievement Center and the Indonesian Talent Development Center. The name OSN is used officially through 2026. The term National Science Competition, or KSN, was used only in 2020 and 2021, then returned to OSN from 2022. OSN selection is tiered. It begins at the school level, then the district or city OSN known as OSN-K, followed by the provincial level or OSN-P, and culminates in the national OSN. The competition is tight: in 2025, the high school level brought 248,792 participants to OSN-K, and only about 540 reached the national final. The number of fields differs by level. Elementary and junior high each compete in three fields, namely Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. High school competes in nine fields, from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology to Informatics, Astronomy, Economics, Earth Science, and Geography.
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.
- 1
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
- 2
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
- 3
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
- 4
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. - 5
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
- 6
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
- 7
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
OSN Selection Stages
| 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 |
Simulation or tryout sessions before each selection are only technical platform tests, without any eliminating function.
“Students who advance far in OSN usually build the basic foundation patiently before touching olympiad problems. Practice targeted at weaknesses, coached consistently, gives leaps that often surprise.”
Checklist to Start OSN Preparation
- The OSN field is chosen by interest and strength
- The official syllabus for that field is held as a study map
- Basic material is mastered well enough to re-explain
- Practice rises gradually from medium to olympiad-level problems
- Consistent regular coaching is running
- Full exam simulations are scheduled regularly
- Sleep, nutrition, and mental condition are maintained
- OSN is organized by Kemendikdasmen, tiered from school to national
- Build the basic foundation first, then climb gradually to olympiad problems
- Targeted practice with a mentor and regular simulation speed up progress