A new contest structure
From fun logic to competitive programming
Starting in 2027, the Belgian Olympiad in Informatics takes a clearer shape. Five stages take you — from age 10 to 18 — from playful logic puzzles all the way to representing Belgium internationally at competitive programming contests.
Brain Teaser Round
No coding yet — entirely optional
This is the former qualification round (before 2027), without the programming tasks. A light-hearted first touch with computational thinking through logic puzzles — no programming, just brain power. Entirely optional: you may skip it; scores never decide who advances. Perfect for younger students and anyone curious about problem-solving.
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Who is it for?
The olympiad is designed for pupils from the 4th year of primary school through to the end of secondary school. Of course it will feel harder for a younger child, but everyone competes within their age group.
Note for educators and parents: Contestants under 14 need close support. Please make sure they read the communications and instructions that are sent out.
How to join
The challenge will be open during a full week at the end of November for teachers, so they can run it with their students. After that week, the challenge will be open for a few days to anyone participating from home. More details will follow — make sure you subscribe to our mailing list to be informed when it opens.
Task type
Only logic puzzles involving computational thinking. No actual programming — neither block-based programming nor a code editor.
How to train
Try last year’s tasks on concours.be-oi.be, in the “s'entraîner” section (tasks available in English). The first five tasks are typical of what you may encounter. More training tasks will be provided later.
Practical organization
About 45 minutes, around the end of November. The exam takes place online: you need a computer with a web browser and a basic Internet connection. Supervised at school or under the rules announced for home participation that year. More details will follow.
Not required to advance
You may skip this round and still join the rest of beOI. Your score has no effect on who qualifies — advancement starts with the Qualification Rounds. This stage is only a friendly first look at computational thinking.
Qualification Rounds
Three rounds, one pass — learn as you go
Three independent online rounds you can take whenever you want, one per month. Each one simply checks basic concepts for your age group — knowledge you will need in the next stages. Passing a single round is enough to qualify. Use every round as a chance to learn. There is no ranking: you need a target score to advance.
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Who is it for?
The olympiad is designed for pupils from the 4th year of primary school through to the end of secondary school. Of course it will feel harder for a younger child, but everyone competes within their age group.
Note for educators and parents: Contestants under 14 need close support. Please make sure they read the communications and instructions that are sent out.
How to participate
Both schools and contestants participating from home can take part in these rounds. You may attempt one or several of them. Registration instructions will be published later — make sure you subscribe to our mailing list to be informed when it opens.
Task type
You can solve the tasks with block coding (Blockly, similar to Scratch) — no need to type code. Python is also allowed if you prefer. The tasks are very basic programming exercises, each covering one of the announced topics. You help a robot complete a task in a graphical environment: run the program step by step, watch the robot progress, and retry as many times as you like within the contest time.
Topics
These rounds cover the basics of programming: sequences of instructions, basic loops (for), conditions (if/else), loops with conditions (while), variables, functions without parameters, advanced operators and conditions, functions with parameters, and lists.
Practical organization
Three independent online windows (December, January, and February). Each round lasts 40 minutes and can be taken from school or home at any moment during the month. The exam takes place online: you need a computer with a web browser and a basic Internet connection. Help from AI or from another person is not allowed.
Qualify for the next rounds
Each age group gets the same tasks, but a different minimum set of topics to solve in order to qualify. These objectives will be announced in advance. Reaching them in any of the rounds is enough to qualify for the next stage.
How to prepare
Try last year’s tasks on concours.be-oi.be, in the “s'entraîner” section (tasks available in English). The last two tasks are typical of what you may encounter. More training tasks will be provided later.
Quarter-final
Where coding starts to matter
First actual contest on basic programming challenges. This is where coding really starts to matter. A first real taste of competitive programming.
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How to join
Open to contestants who passed a qualification round. You will receive personal instructions after qualifications.
Task type
A set of basic programming problems: implement clear solutions, handle input/output, and reason about simple algorithms. More programming languages are allowed than in qualification (including Java and C++). Some sample tasks will follow a bit later.
Practical organization
Two hours on a Wednesday in March. Can be done at school or in regional centers throughout Belgium — not at home. Help from AI or from another person is not allowed. More details will follow.
Qualify for the next rounds
A fixed number of contestants will qualify in each age category. It is a rank-based selection. You will know whether you have qualified a few days after the contest.
Preparation tips
Practise short contest-style tasks, get comfortable with your chosen programming language, and learn to test your code carefully before submitting. Some sample tasks will follow a bit later.
Semi-final
More advanced tasks
An in-person contest at regional centers across Belgium. Advanced problems test data structures, algorithms, and careful implementation under time pressure. Stand out with your problem-solving and programming skills.
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How to join
Personal invitation after the quarter-final. You will be assigned to a trusted school or a regional center; bring what the invitation asks for (ID, login details, etc.).
Organize the contest in my school
We are looking for schools that can host the contest in their building at the same time as the other regional centers (a Wednesday, 2–5 pm). The requirements are basically computers with a web browser and an Internet connection. We ask organizers to supervise contestants carefully and ensure they do not communicate with others (online or in the room) and do not use AI to solve the tasks. If your school can help, contact us at info@be-oi.be and tell us whether you can also welcome students from outside your school.
Task type
Harder algorithmic problems: data structures, careful implementation, and edge cases. Still within reach for committed contestants in each age group.
Practical organization
About three hours on site in April. Supervised rooms, fixed start time, and the standard contest rules for devices and communication.
Manage your time across problems — it is better to fully solve a few than to leave many unfinished.
Qualify for the next rounds
Rank-based selection. The top performers advance to the national final according to the announced cut-offs.
Final
Compete for the national title
The ultimate national contest with mid-level to very hard problems. Compete with the best Belgian competitors for the national title in your age group and make your way to the national pool with the aim of representing Belgium in international competitions.
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How to join
By personal invitation only after the semi-final. Travel and venue details are sent privately to finalists and their schools or parents.
Task type
Mid-level to very hard olympiad-style problems. Typically C++ and Python are the main languages used at this stage. C++ is strongly recommended, because it is often required (sometimes the only accepted language) at international contests.
Practical organization
Usually two sessions of about three hours each on the same day, on site at a national venue in May. Full contest atmosphere with ranking and awards.
The competition will take place on the computers provided. Further practical information will be provided to participants.
Awards
National titles and prizes are awarded by age group. Strong results also feed into the longer path toward international team selection.
What to expect
Challenging olympiad-style problems, a distinct competition schedule and atmosphere, and a chance to meet other top competitors from across Belgium.
International Contests
Represent Belgium on the world stage
Top contestants, based on several contests and training over several years, may be selected to represent Belgium at international olympiads such as WEOI, EJOI, EGOI, and IOI.
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How to join
There is no open registration. Selection is based on sustained results across national contests.
Task type
International olympiad problems — typically in C++ — at the level of WEOI, EJOI, EGOI, and IOI, depending on the event and age track.
Practical organization
Training during the year, training camps and selection contests around the summer, then travel to the host country of each international olympiad. Exact calendars change every year.
Being a member of the selection pool requires a significant commitment spanning several years.
Selection path
Coaches look at a track record, not a single contest. Consistency, growth, and performance in training all matter.
Team Belgium
Selected students represent Belgium abroad, with support from beOI for preparation and logistics as announced each season.