ICQ is not your typical syllabus test. While some questions align with the Australian Curriculum, the quiz isn't handcuffed to it. The aim? To keep things interesting and promote chemical thinking. We want students to apply their knowledge beyond what's covered in syllabus documents.

Achievement levels are determined by number of correct answers. Percentile achievements are included in the reports which compare student performances across participating countries within the same grade. Depending on their results, students may receive certificates ranging from Excellence to Participation, with those achieving a perfect score earning an ICQ Medal.

In addition to certificates corresponding to their achievement level, students who excel, including those with perfect scores, are rewarded with one of our new ICQ medals.

The Online Quiz is a timed event, completed within a span of 60 minutes. However, students should await their teacher's approval before diving in. The questions mirror those in the hard copy paper, with calculators permitted but mobile phones and internet-connected devices strictly prohibited.

Our quiz extends over a 5-day period, affording flexibility for students to participate at their convenience. This setup enables students across various year levels to undertake the quiz simultaneously, simplifying supervision for teachers.

Once the results are available, detailed instructions will be provided via email on how to access the results. Teachers can then log in to the ICQ Admin Portal to download school reports and student results. 

If your child is eager to partake but the school isn't onboard, approach their teacher. It's plausible to arrange for a small group to undertake the online quiz during lunch breaks or after school hours.

Join our Mailing List to receive comprehensive guidance and step-by-step booklets, facilitating seamless participation in the ICQ.

The ICQ isn’t your standard syllabus-based test. While some questions align with the Australian Curriculum, the quiz goes beyond it—designed to spark curiosity and encourage chemical thinking. Our goal is for students to apply their knowledge in new ways, extending well past the pages of syllabus documents.

Students can use their own laptops or school desktop computers to complete the quiz.

Achievement levels are determined by number of correct answers. Percentile achievements are included in the reports which  compare student performances across participating countries within the same grade. Depending on their results, students may receive certificates ranging from Excellence to Participation, with those achieving a perfect score earning an ICQ Medal. For India those levels are:
Certificate of Excellence Perfect score 30
Certificate of High Distinction 90 – 99 (27-29) 
Certificate of Distinction 70 – 89 (21-26) 
Certificate of Credit 50 – 69 (15-20) 

The content of the quiz changes each year, but may be based on the the following topics:

Years 7 & 8: Mixtures and solutions; states of matter and particle motion; differences between elements, compounds, and mixtures; chemical change.

Years 9 & 10: Composition of atoms; chemical reactions and conservation of mass; significance of reactions in living and non-living systems; atomic structure and the Periodic Table; types of chemical reactions and reaction rates.

Year 11: Atomic models and bonding; enthalpy and energy changes; scientific inquiry in investigations; molecular structure and intermolecular forces; kinetic and collision theory.

Year 12: Characteristics of equilibrium systems; strength vs. concentration of acids; redox reactions and electrochemical cells; historical development of chemical theories; functional groups in organic compounds; synthesis processes and analytical techniques.

Across All Years: Designing, conducting, evaluating, and communicating scientific investigations into properties, behaviors, and reactions of substances.

Each school will need to appoint a coordinator (teacher) to manage student registrations. The coordinator is responsible for placing orders, uploading student names, distributing login details, and, after the quiz, accessing and downloading all certificates and reports to share with students. We recommend that schools retain copies of certificates and results for their own records, as we do not store this information. If students misplace or do not receive their certificates, they will be directed back to their school to obtain copies.

No. All students must register and participate via their school.

Students in India will need to sit the quiz in English.

Coordinators may request extra time for students that require it, we also have a text to speech option for those that require it.

Yes, teachers may re-use the papers for student practice in future tests. However, any other use—including distribution, uploading, or selling—is strictly prohibited and constitutes a breach of copyright law.

Please refer to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

No. They should sit the test aligned with their current year level.

The ICQ stands out as a unique chemistry education initiative, providing a dynamic and focused exploration of chemistry for school students between years 7 - 12. It aims to kindle interest in chemistry and underscore the crucial role of chemists in society. It serves as an opportunity for teachers to gauge their students' understanding of chemistry and acts as a platform to encourage students to pursue studies and careers in chemistry. Going beyond standard syllabus content, the Quiz is designed to be engaging and thought-provoking. With questions that encourage students to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios, ICQ is truly an international competition, attracting participants from Australia and across the world. 

Global Benchmarking – ICQ allows students to measure their chemistry knowledge against peers from around the world, giving a sense of where they stand internationally.

Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving – The quiz goes beyond rote learning, encouraging students to apply concepts in new and creative ways, building analytical and problem-solving skills.

University & Career Readiness – Performing well in ICQ demonstrates curiosity, commitment, and aptitude in STEM subjects—qualities that are valued by top schools, universities, and future employers.

Confidence & Motivation – Recognition through certificates and rankings boosts students’ confidence and motivates them to continue excelling in chemistry and other sciences.

Exposure to International Standards – The ICQ’s diverse questions expose students to different styles of scientific reasoning, broadening their learning beyond the Indian syllabus.

Prestige & Opportunities – High-performing students gain recognition on an international stage, which can enhance applications for scholarships, science competitions, and global programs.

Fun & Engaging Learning – The quiz is designed to be exciting and challenging, helping students enjoy chemistry while testing their knowledge.

Teachers receive detailed post-quiz reports that provide valuable insights into how well their students have understood the questions. This data helps teachers benchmark performance, identify strengths and gaps in knowledge, and better support their students’ learning. At the same time, schools benefit from comparative data showing how their students perform against others nationally. Strong results not only highlight the quality of teaching but also serve as a powerful marketing tool to attract prospective students and enhance the school’s reputation.