There is no permanent score that guarantees an IMO medal. Boundaries are set for each edition. The same total can receive different awards in different years.
Recent boundaries out of 42
| Year | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 29 | 23 | 16 |
| 2025 | 35 | 28 | 19 |
| 2024 | 29 | 22 | 16 |
| 2023 | 32 | 25 | 18 |
| 2022 | 34 | 29 | 23 |
| 2021 | 24 | 19 | 12 |
| 2020 | 31 | 24 | 15 |
| 2019 | 31 | 24 | 17 |
Source: official IMO results and edition statistics. Earlier editions can have different maximum scores; do not apply this out-of-42 table to the entire history of the competition.
What this means when practising
First mark each attempted problem using its published solution and any available marking guidance. Record which parts you proved and which steps were incomplete. Then compare the total with the boundary for that same paper’s year. Treat this as a practice reference, not an award or prediction.
For example, 30 points clears the listed gold boundary in 2024 but not in 2025. The comparison reflects different papers and performances; it does not tell you that a student became weaker between those years.
Honourable mentions and national cut-offs
An honourable mention has its own conditions in the IMO regulations. National contests use their own rules for advancement and awards. A score qualifying a student for RMO, AIME or BMO is not an IMO medal boundary.
Choose an IMO paper to practise · Find country and year results