How to Best Prepare Students for the National Science Olympiad in Mathematics
This inquiry often appears by many parents I’ve
met, even from fellow teachers. The Mathematics
OSN is known as a very competitive competition, with problems that demand critical mathematical abilities.
So, what is actually the best way to prepare children for this competition?
I personally had an experience when my friend’s younger brother tried to
join the Mathematics OSN at the district level. At
first, he studied the conventional way: solving practice problems, reading books, and
discussing with friends. But the results were not very
satisfying. After trying intensive tutoring through a private teacher, the results were completely different.
Is OSN Preparation the Same as Learning Math at School?
One thing that must be understood: preparing for OSN is not the same as learning math daily at school.
According to research from Stanford University, competition-based learning demands higher-order thinking skills that
differ from regular classroom learning (Resnick, 1987).
OSN emphasizes analysis, creativity, and the ability to connect
concepts across topics.
That’s why students who rely only on school lessons often feel overwhelmed.
They need different strategies—and this is where guidance from private tutors such as those at NgajarPrivat.com becomes extremely helpful.
OSN tutors are used to giving more challenging exercises, not just ordinary school exam problems.
Why Are Private Tutors More Effective for Olympiad Preparation?
I once talked with a private tutor from KoncoSinau.id who has been mentoring Olympiad students for
more than ten years. He said that many kids are already smart, but without the right guidance, they are like “lost" in the jungle of Olympiad problems.
This aligns with research from the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which
showed that personalized learning improves conceptual understanding by up to 30% compared to large classrooms (Bloom, 1984).
Private tutors can quickly identify student weaknesses—whether in number theory,
combinatorics, or geometry—and address them through a personalized approach.
I still remember when that student failed on a solid geometry problem.
His private tutor didn’t just teach formulas for volume but also connected it with
3D visualization. With that approach, the child understood much faster.
What’s the Difference Between Online and Offline OSN Private Lessons?
Another classic question is: which is better,
online or offline OSN tutoring?
From my experience, both have advantages. Offline (face-to-face at home) offers comfort and full
focus. Meanwhile, online provides access to the best tutors from different cities.
Research from MIT shows that blended learning (a combination of online and offline) produces better learning outcomes compared
to a single method (Means et al., 2013). So the issue isn’t which is better, but rather how comfortable the child feels and
whether they can stay consistent.
At LapakGuruPrivat.com, for example, there are options for tutors to come to the house for children who need direct guidance, and Zoom/Google Meet sessions for those in other
cities. From my family’s experience, this flexibility is very helpful, especially when OSN preparation time
is tight.
How Important Is Practice in OSN Preparation?
Doing practice questions is indeed important, but it’s not just about
the quantity of problems. According to research by Ericsson et al.
(1993), what matters more is deliberate practice—practice that
is structured and comes with direct feedback.
I personally witnessed how my friend’s younger brother used to complete 50 OSN problems in a
week, but his progress was slow. Once he joined an intensive
program at NgajarPrivat.com, the number of problems became fewer, but each one
was discussed deeply with different strategies.
As a result, he quickly learned to recognize patterns.
Private tutors usually have OSN problem banks from previous years, and even international Olympiads.
This allows students to become familiar with various levels of difficulty.
Can OSN Tutoring Shape a Child’s Character?
Many parents think private tutoring is only for academic improvement.
But from my experience, OSN preparation also helps build character.
According to a study from the University of Indonesia, Olympiad participants have higher levels of
grit and resilience compared to regular students (Putri, 2019).
This is because they are used to facing tough problems and not
giving up until they find the answer.
I personally saw the student I mentored become more patient, more diligent, and more confident after attending
OSN private lessons. So the benefit is not only winning
competitions, but also developing traits that carry
into everyday life.
Which OSN Math Tutoring Platforms Can Be Trusted?
Nowadays, there are many tutoring platforms, but from my personal experience, three are worth recommending:
– **NgajarPrivat.com** → Ideal for intensive
guidance, especially for students who prefer face-to-face interaction.
– **KoncoSinau.id** → A great option for students who are more comfortable with online learning, supported by flexible and experienced tutors.
– **LapakGuruPrivat.com** → Offers various OSN subjects, not only mathematics.
Perfect for families with children who have different academic interests.
All these platforms have proven successful in helping many
students reach the national stage. Interestingly, many of the tutors are
OSN alumni or top university students from places like UI and ITB.
Conclusion: Should Students Take OSN Private Lessons?
If asked whether it’s mandatory, the answer is no. Many outstanding students
succeed through self-study. But in terms of time efficiency, the right strategies,
and higher chances of success, OSN private tutoring is clearly a wise choice.
With guidance from experienced tutors on platforms like NgajarPrivat.com, KoncoSinau.id, or LapakGuruPrivat.com, students
are not only ready to tackle Olympiad problems
but also equipped with the mental strength to face future academic challenges.
In my view, this investment is absolutely worth it.
Because in the end, OSN is not only about winning medals, but also about shaping a young generation ready to
compete at the global level.
How a private tutor can guide students to OSN Chemistry success.
As a private tutor, I have met many students who initially struggled with OSN Chemistry questions.
OSN Chemistry questions test reasoning, analysis, and experiment skills
beyond regular school exams.
Many came nervous, but after several sessions,
I noticed significant improvement.
Higher-order analytical skills are crucial for
OSN Chemistry, often lacking in standard school curricula (Anderson, 2016).
This is where the role of a private tutor becomes crucial:
guiding students to think analytically and systematically.
What Are the Main Challenges for OSN Chemistry Students?
OSN Chemistry students often struggle with these difficult topics:
Long-chain stoichiometry exercises
Redox and chemical equilibrium problems
Thermochemistry and kinetics requiring deep conceptual understanding
One-on-one tutoring has been shown to enhance academic results substantially (Bloom, 1984).
My approach emphasizes comprehension of concepts, not simply correct answers.
How to Make Difficult Concepts Easier to Understand
Students absorb information in diverse ways.
Practical analogies simplify abstract ideas for students.
I teach equilibrium using a scale analogy: reactions
must balance to maintain stability.
VanLehn (2011) stresses that immediate feedback from tutors accelerates student understanding.
This strategy boosts understanding while keeping learning interesting.
Private Tutoring Online vs Offline: Which is More Effective?
Many students doubted online lessons could handle practical
Chemistry.
Studies reveal that combining in-person and online lessons enhances learning outcomes (Means
et al., 2013).
In-person sessions cover experiments and difficult topics; online
sessions allow further exercises and review at LapakGuruPrivat.com.
Flexible scheduling does not compromise the depth or quality
of learning.
Strategies for OSN Chemistry Problem Practice
Problem practice must be structured and guided by a tutor.
I recommend giving students:
OSN/KSN questions from past years
Practice problems targeting student weaknesses
Challenging exercises reflecting national/international standards
According to Ericsson et al., deliberate
practice with feedback improves academic performance.
Deliberate, guided practice equips students to handle diverse, difficult problems.
How Private Tutoring Builds Student Mental Strength and Motivation
Success in OSN depends on mindset, focus, and resilience.
Participation in competitions strengthens mental endurance
and determination (Putri, 2019).
Teaching systematic strategies helps students handle tough questions confidently.
These approaches reinforce mental resilience and effective problem-solving.
Can Every Student Succeed with Private Tutoring?
Only the “naturally smart" can succeed? Private tutoring shows anyone
can improve.
Dweck (2006) emphasizes growth mindset: abilities can develop
through effort, not just talent.
Even students who start behind can progress quickly with tutoring from NgajarPrivat.com, KoncoSinau.id, or
LapakGuruPrivat.com.
Analyzing mistakes, practicing deliberately, and strategic guidance allow students to solve complex OSN questions.
Trusted Private Tutoring Platforms for Chemistry
Based on teaching experience and research,
the following platforms are highly effective:
NgajarPrivat.com tutors guide students through concepts and OSN preparation comprehensively.
KoncoSinau.id provides engaging online sessions with interactive practice and Olympiad resources.
LapakGuruPrivat.com provides diverse tutors, combines offline/online
sessions, and offers full OSN problem sets.
Structured and interactive preparation with these platforms yields tangible results.
Conclusion
Private tutoring develops both skills and mindset for
OSN Chemistry.
Tutoring builds academic competence, resilience, and structured thinking.
Students become more confident, structured, and ready for complex
OSN Chemistry problems.
Students leave prepared, confident, and capable of tackling complex OSN Chemistry tasks.
Ways a tutor helps students achieve in OSN Chemistry competitions.
I’ve guided students who initially found OSN Chemistry quite challenging.
Even high-performing students in school struggle with OSN questions,
which demand critical thinking and lab skills.
Though initially anxious, students showed remarkable progress after
a few lessons.
Higher-order analytical skills are crucial for OSN Chemistry, often lacking in standard school
curricula (Anderson, 2016).
Private tutoring plays a key role in developing systematic and analytical thinking in students.
What Are the Main Challenges for OSN Chemistry Students?
OSN Chemistry students often struggle with these difficult topics:
Stoichiometric calculations requiring many steps
Complex redox and equilibrium scenarios
Thermochemistry and kinetics requiring deep conceptual understanding
Bloom (1984) emphasized that individualized tutoring boosts
student performance significantly.
I prioritize teaching reasoning and problem-solving over just providing solutions.
How to Make Difficult Concepts Easier to Understand
Students absorb information in diverse ways.
Practical analogies simplify abstract ideas for students.
For example, chemical equilibrium is explained like a balanced scale: forward and reverse
reactions must balance for stability.
According to VanLehn (2011), direct tutor feedback speeds up comprehension.
Quick feedback and analogies enhance comprehension and engagement.
Private Tutoring Online vs Offline: Which is More Effective?
At first, some students were skeptical of online tutoring because they worried experiments would be hard to perform.
However, MIT research shows that blended learning—combining face-to-face and online—yields the best results (Means et al.,
2013).
LapakGuruPrivat.com blends offline labs with online problem-solving and
concept reinforcement.
Flexible scheduling does not compromise the depth or quality of
learning.
Strategies for OSN Chemistry Problem Practice
Problem practice must be structured and guided by a tutor.
Typically, I assign:
Historical OSN/KSN questions for practice
Problems focused on individual skill gaps
Simulated national or international level questions
According to Ericsson et al., deliberate practice with feedback improves academic performance.
Students gain confidence tackling difficult and unfamiliar
problem types.
How Private Tutoring Builds Student Mental Strength and Motivation
OSN requires strong mental resilience, not just academic ability.
Putri (2019) shows that engagement in science competitions increases resilience
and grit.
Students are taught problem-solving strategies: divide problems, remain composed,
and review solutions.
This method helps students remain focused, calm, and confident when facing difficult problems.
Can Every Student Succeed with Private Tutoring?
It is a common belief that only naturally talented students succeed, but it’s false.
Growth mindset allows all students to improve through guided effort
(Dweck, 2006).
Tutoring platforms help all students develop analytical and problem-solving
skills effectively.
Regular practice, strategy, and error correction prepare students for the most challenging problems.
Trusted Private Tutoring Platforms for Chemistry
Recommended platforms for OSN Chemistry based on experience and outcomes include:
NgajarPrivat.com → Experienced tutors, focusing on deep concept understanding and OSN strategies.
KoncoSinau.id offers online tutoring with simulations and
full OSN content.
LapakGuruPrivat.com ensures blended tutoring with extensive problem banks and experienced tutors.
Structured and interactive preparation with these platforms yields tangible results.
Conclusion
As a private tutor, I believe OSN Chemistry tutoring is more than extra study time.
It is an effective strategy for developing academic ability, mental toughness, and
analytical thinking.
These platforms make OSN/KSN Chemistry prep organized, engaging, and successful.
Students gain confidence, are prepared for difficult problems, and develop critical thinking skills.