Overview
The Taiwan Olympiad in Informatics (TOI) is Taiwan's selection and training programme for the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI). The Ministry of Education commissions it, and the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering at National Taiwan Normal University runs it. The sources are in Chinese and were read directly. Students enter a preliminary test and, if selected, go through training camps that decide who represents Taiwan at the IOI. Each IOI country sends four secondary students, and results are scored individually. In 2026, Taiwan's team returned from the IOI in Uzbekistan with one gold medal, two silver medals and one honourable mention.
The programme also selects Taiwan's team for the European Girls' Olympiad in Informatics (EGOI) through a separate selection route, which this page does not cover. It also runs open online practice contests.
Who can apply
To enter the preliminary selection, a student must:
Hold Taiwan (ROC) nationality and be a student at upper-secondary level or below.
Meet the IOI rules for that year: enrolled in school at secondary level or lower in their own country for most of 1 September to 31 December of the year before the IOI, and aged 20 or younger on 1 July of the IOI year. Students studying abroad may represent their country of nationality.
Have either an APCS programming implementation score of level 3 or above, or have taken part in the national final of the senior-secondary mathematics, science and information competition (資訊學科能力競賽) for the previous school year. For 2026, that meant the 2025-26 school year, which Taiwan calls year 114 of the Republic.
Students who won first or second prize in that national information competition final skip the preliminary test but must email to confirm they want to join the first training camp.
Exam pattern
| Stage | Format |
|---|---|
| Preliminary test | Computer-based programming test, 3 hours (14:00 to 17:00 on test day), C++ only |
| Training camps | Two selection camps, with mock contests during each |
| IOI | Two contest days, each with five hours to solve three problems |
TOI selection camp programming activities are limited to C++. The IOI itself allows C and C++, and the host country may adjust the languages.
Marking and results
IOI medals follow the IOI rules: the jury sets the minimum medal score, about half of contestants win a medal, and the ratio of gold to silver to bronze is about 1:2:3.
Important dates
For the 2026 cycle, converted to Gregorian dates as listed by the programme:
Registration for the preliminary test: 12 January to 9 February 2026.
Preliminary test: 7 March 2026, at test centres in Taipei, Changhua and Kaohsiung (reporting 13:15 to 13:45).
First selection camp: 16 to 28 March 2026. Second selection camp: 13 to 25 April 2026.
APIO 2026: 9 May 2026.
Weekend training in June, and pre-contest training from 6 to 25 July 2026.
IOI 2026: 9 to 16 August 2026, in Uzbekistan.
The programme's online practice contests also continue: the next windows listed are 5 to 9 October 2026 (registration from 28 September), 16 to 20 November 2026, and 28 December 2026 to 1 January 2027. Dates for the 2027 selection cycle had not been posted when this was reviewed.
How to apply
Students apply through their school. A teacher at the school (or the local education authority, for students in non-school experimental education) first registers as a contact person with the programme, and is approved before they can register students. The teacher then emails the student registration form and supporting evidence, such as the APCS score certificate or proof of national final participation, to the programme. Full instructions are in the programme's registration process document.
After the exam
The preliminary test leads into the two selection camps. Following the camps, mock contests and training, Taiwan names its official IOI team. In 2026, the official team list was announced on 16 June 2026.
Preparation tips
Practise C++, since the preliminary test and camps use it.
Try the programme's online practice contests and study the past tasks it publishes.
Practise solving problems on a computer under timed conditions.
Can I use Python in the TOI selection?
No. The programme says the preliminary test and camp programming activities are limited to C++.
Do I need to be a Taiwan citizen?
Yes. To enter the preliminary test and selection camps, a student must hold Taiwan nationality and be at upper-secondary level or below. Students must also meet the IOI age and enrolment rules.