The International Logic Olympiad (ILO) is an annual competition that challenges middle and high school students to master formal logical reasoning. Organized by Luminas Inc. — a 501(c)(3) non-profit — in partnership with Stanford University Professor Michael Genesereth, the ILO covers propositional logic, truth tables, logical connectives, relational logic, and systematic problem-solving. These are foundational skills for mathematics, computer science, law, philosophy, and engineering. Since its launch in 2024, the ILO has attracted over 6,100 participants from 104 countries across 3,800+ schools.
Divisions:
| Division | Grade level | Age requirement | | ---------- | ----------- | ------------------------------------------- | | ILO Junior | Grades 6–8 | Ages 11–14 by January 1 of competition year | | ILO Senior | Grades 9–12 | Ages 14–18 by January 1 of competition year |
Competition structure:
The ILO runs in two rounds each year, spring through early summer:
- Preliminary Round (approximately late April): Students take the exam at an in-person regional testing center. Senior division students without a nearby regional testing center may take the exam online through the official testing portal; the Junior division is in-person only. The exam covers the full ILO syllabus.
- Final Round (approximately late June to early July): Top performers from the preliminary round are invited to a 3-day final at Stanford University. The final includes an advanced exam and awards ceremony.
Preparation resources:
Luminas Inc. partners with Stanford's Introduction to Logic course (intrologic.stanford.edu), which provides free online lessons in formal logic used as official preparation material.
Awards:
- Individual Achievement Awards recognizing outstanding analytical skill and problem-solving ability
- Certificates for finalists who qualify from the Preliminary Round
Fees and financial aid:
The registration fee is $50 USD. Students from households with annual family income under $20,000 USD may apply for a full fee waiver. Financial aid does not cover travel or accommodation costs for the Stanford final round.
