Even if an ineligible student registers for USAAIO and passes, they are blocked at the Team USA selection stage. Before registration coaching, U0 first assesses eligibility, and only for students whose eligibility is confirmed completes, 1:1, Beaver-Edge portal, Edvistas account, and Proctor site registration — a mandatory prerequisite step. If a student is ineligible, we do not push registration through and instead guide them to the KOAI or general AI track.
Published: May 16, 2026 | Last updated: May 16, 2026 · Based on official USAAIO information
Track
USAAIO-only
Mandatory prerequisite step
Target
All prospective entrants
Eligibility assessment first
Recommended Hours
About 2 hours
1:1 · varies 1.5–3 hours
Nature
Consultation + registration coaching
Screening out ineligibility in advance
After completing U0, students and parents clearly know whether they are eligible for USAAIO, and if eligible, they have completed registration for the Beaver-Edge portal, Edvistas, and the Proctor site.
The purpose of U0 is not passing but screening out ineligibility in advance so families don't spend unnecessary money and time. If eligibility is uncertain, we confirm citizenship and visa status in writing after a parent meeting; this is a first-pass assessment at the academy level, not legal or immigration advice.
There are no prerequisites — an entry step. It is the first course for every student starting the USAAIO track. For the full track structure, see the USAAIO Prep Curriculum Hub.
U0 runs in two stages. First, we assess USAAIO eligibility against a checklist; once eligibility is confirmed, we complete the official registration process together, 1:1.
Which of the following is At least one of the following must be met (official USAAIO rules):
Additional conditions (common to all entrants): under 20 years old as of the first day of the international competition in the entry year · not a full-time university student in the entry year.
If found ineligible, we guide the student to the KOAI track or a general AI learning track and do not push USAAIO registration through.
※ Recommended about 2 hours, varying from 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the student's situation. Includes eligibility assessment + registration follow-up.
We review U.S./Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, and enrollment status and document the eligible/ineligible determination with reasons. Borderline cases are assumed conservatively and confirmed in writing via the school and documents.
We complete together, 1:1, the accounts and setup needed to enter — Beaver-Edge AI Institute portal registration, the Edvistas student competition account, and confirmation of the Proctor site.
For USAAIO, if you're not eligible, registering still leaves you blocked at Team USA selection. CIT does not recommend USAAIO to ineligible students. Instead, we point them to paths they can pursue regardless of eligibility.
KOAI track
Korea's selection path: advancing to IOAI
General AI learning track
Open to anyone regardless of eligibility
Cost handling
Refund or switch to the KOAI track if ineligible
For students whose eligibility is unclear, we confirm citizenship and visa status in writing after a parent meeting. The KOAI path is KOAI Prep Curriculum.
U0 is the entry step of the USAAIO-only track. For the full track structure, see the USAAIO Prep Curriculum Hub.
Previous step
Entry step (no prerequisites)
Start of the USAAIO track
Current Course
U0. Eligibility Assessment + Registration Coaching
Eligibility confirmation + registration
It is a mandatory prerequisite step for every prospective USAAIO entrant. Even if an ineligible student registers for USAAIO and passes, they are blocked at Team USA selection, so we confirm eligibility before registration to keep families from spending unnecessary money and time.
CIT does not push registration through. If a student is found ineligible, we naturally guide them to the KOAI track or a general AI learning track, and the eligibility assessment consultation itself is a low-commitment entry step.
We complete together, 1:1, the Beaver-Edge AI Institute portal account and registration, the Edvistas student competition account setup, and the confirmation of the Proctor site. The Proctor site review includes the student's school, a nearby accredited site, and registering CIT's own site.
Full-time enrollment at a middle or high school located in the U.S. or Canada qualifies. However, eligibility is judged by enrollment status at the time of the exam, so for borderline cases such as planned enrollment we conservatively assume ineligibility and then confirm in writing with the school.
Confirmation of citizenship, permanent residency, and enrollment status is required. This is a first-pass assessment at the academy level, not legal or immigration advice. The information collected is managed with a clearly stated retention and disposal policy in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act.
It's fine if your eligibility is uncertain. We first confirm whether you can enter USAAIO through an eligibility assessment, and if you're found ineligible, we guide you to the KOAI or general AI track.