The syllabus for the International Mathematics Olympiad covers pre-degree college mathematics including arithmetic, geometry, quadratic equations, trigonometry, coordinate geometry, systems of linear equations, permutations and combinations, factorizing polynomials, inequalities, elementary combinatorics, probability theory, number theory, finite series, complex numbers, and elementary graph theory. The major areas examined are number theory, geometry, algebra, and combinatorics. While the topics are from Class IX to XII levels, the problems increase in difficulty from regional to national to international competitions.