Assessment Format & Design
The format tests breadth of knowledge across five domains while maintaining integrity through time pressure. This is a competitive Olympiad, the rigor is intentional.
No. Students should attempt as many questions as they can. There is no penalty for incorrect answers. Overall ranking is based on the total number of correct answers, not completion.
Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark. No marks are deducted for incorrect answers. The total score is the sum of all correct answers out of 300.
It tests both. Internalised knowledge enables fast, accurate responses. This distinguishes deep understanding from surface knowledge within the various domains.
The NOAI is not intended to replicate the IOAI assessment format. The NOAI Prelims is designed to efficiently filter N participants down to the top 150 for further assessment in the NOAI Final Assessment, after which the top 60 will undergo further training and selection by NTU’s training team.
This exam focuses on internalised knowledge. No calculators, notes, textbooks, AI tools, or websites are permitted. Only pen and paper for rough work is allowed.
Integrity & Fairness
The use of AI assistants is prohibited, and the Prelims are required to be conducted under on-site proctoring. Time constraints limit the feasibility of external assistance, and the Final Assessment serves as an additional filtering stage to validate performance.
No additional time will be provided. The NOAI is a competitive Olympiad designed to identify top performers for international representation. Students with special educational needs are welcome to participate and gain exposure to the competition and to AI, regardless of progression outcome.
Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark. No marks are deducted for incorrect answers. The total score is the sum of all correct answers out of 300.
The NOAI 2026 Prelims are conducted via Google Forms and do not require high internet speeds. Schools are responsible for ensuring technical readiness ahead of the assessment.
Preparation & Accessibility
The NOAI is a competitive Olympiad and requires that students have a proficiency in fundamental AI concepts. However, resources are readily available and we encourage students to read widely in their preparations for the competition.
Students should review the IOAI 2026 syllabus and read extensively about each of the covered topics. As a starting point, a curated list of learning resources can be found on the NOAI page.
The NOAI is designed to identify the highest-performing students in Singapore, regardless of school background. The assessed curriculum is publicly available through free resources, and all students are expected to prepare independently by engaging with these materials.
Selection Process
There is no fixed cutoff score. Selection is based on ranking within the cohort, with the 150th-ranked score determined after marking. To prevent over-representation from any single school, school seat quotas will apply.
School seat quotas are determined by AI Singapore using multiple criteria to ensure broad representation and a national talent pipeline. The specific quotas and criteria are not publicly disclosed.
Ties will be resolved using predefined criteria, which may include domain-specific performance and time taken. Where appropriate, all tied candidates may be advanced to the Final Assessment.
General & Administrative
No. Participation in NOAI is free-of-charge for eligible MOE students.
Final Assessment (6 Mar): 20 MCQs + 3 programming questions. Top 50-60 students → NTU Selection (May) → IOAI Training at NTU (May) → IOAI Boot Camp (June) → Final 8 will be selected to represent Singapore at the IOAI 2026 in Abu Dhabi (Aug).
Yes. The NOAI offers exposure to key AI concepts and a national competitive benchmark. Participation provides valuable learning and developmental insights regardless of cohort size.
No. Only students who advance to the Final Assessment receive certificates. The Preliminary Round assists schools with selection.
For enquiries, please write in to noai@aisingapore.org.
*Updated as of 11 Feb 2026