Chinese Chemistry Olympiad (CChO)

The Chinese Chemistry Olympiad (CChO) is a national high school chemistry competition in China organized by the Chinese Chemical Society, typically in collaboration with the Chinese Chemical Education Committee. It serves both as an advanced academic contest in chemistry for secondary school students and as the official selection process for China’s team for the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO). The competition is generally open to high school students in mainland China (roughly grades 10–12) who are nominated or registered through their schools or local education authorities. It includes demanding written exams (and, at later stages, often practical components) that cover theoretical and problem-solving topics beyond the standard high school curriculum. Participating students gain deep training in chemistry, experience with rigorous scientific problem-solving, and the opportunity to advance through provincial and national rounds, with the very top students selected for intensive training camps and potential representation of China at the IChO. Because it is a nationally administered contest rather than an open-registration international program, interested students typically participate through their schools or regional olympiad centers. The CChO is highly prestigious in China and can significantly strengthen a student’s academic profile, particularly for STEM-focused university admissions.