- Read TOL Q&A (Chinese) 👀
Q: I don't have a special understanding of linguistics. Can I still participate in the TOL Preliminary?
Of course you can!
The only requirement to participate in the TOL is that you must be a student from grade 7 to 12. If you meet this criterion, you're welcome to give it a try!
Unlike other olympiads, the TOL does not require special knowledge of linguistics. What's needed is clear logical thinking and perseverance in facing challenges. If you're willing to give it a go, you're very welcome!
Q: I'm interested in the International Linguistics Olympiad. How should I prepare?
Practice past problems! Practice, practice, practice!
We recommend starting with the questions available on our website (no special linguistics knowledge required) or referring to the resources provided in the "Links" section on this page to get a feel for the Olympiad.
After practicing, if you develop an interest in linguistics, you can find related books to supplement your knowledge.
Refer to advice from the UK Linguistics Olympiad for more information.
Q: Is there a specific scoring method for the TOL? Will there be problems that require explanations?
Since linguistics problems are quite diverse and each task may vary, it is possible that some problems will require explanations.
The scoring method is determined based on the problems and decisions made by the exam committee each year. Generally, points are awarded for completing the specified tasks in the problems.