Nearly 16,000 U.S. students participate in Local Chemistry Olympiad competitions. Over 70% of Local Sections use the Local Section Exam prepared by the ACS Chemistry Olympiad Examination Task Force. Exams are administered annually in March and students are nominated for the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad competition based on their performance.
The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad national exam is a 3-part, 4 hour and 45 minute exam administered in mid or late April by ACS Local Sections. More than 1000 students participate in this exam each year.