A Guide to Math Competitions
Students of all ages can benefit from participating in math competitions.
Read MoreMath Competitions Calendar for 2019-2020
A new school year means another year of challenging and exciting math competitions!
Students of all ages can benefit from participating in math competitions. Competitive, timed tests allow children to showcase their knowledge and compare themselves to their peers. They can also be a confidence booster and, in later grades, look great on college applications. Scroll down for a list of recommended math competitions for the 2019-2020 school year as well as descriptions of each and registration information.
Are you an RSM student and interested in the world of math competition? Our competition programs are open as an add-on to our elementary, middle and high school programs, and offer a stepping stone for competitive students to participate in elite math competitions. The qualifying examination is held every year in the month of May. Learn more about our competition programs here.
AMC8 (Grades 6-8)
Date: Tuesday, November 12th, 2019
About the Contest: The American Mathematics Contest (AMC) is a challenging and prestigious national competition, administered by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). Open to grades 6 - 8, the AMC 8 consists of 25 problems - all based on knowledge and logic.
Students can take part in the AMC through participating public schools or through RSM.
AMC 10 A (Grades 10 and Below)
Date: Thursday, January 30th, 2020 - Contest A
About the Contest: The AMC 10 and AMC 12 are both 25-question, 75-minute, multiple choice examinations in high school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills.
The AMC 10 is for students in 10th grade and below, and covers the high school curriculum up to 10th grade.
AMC 12 A (Grades 12 and Below)
Date: Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 - Contest B
About the Contest: The AMC 12 covers the entire high school curriculum including trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry, but excluding calculus. Students in grade 12 or below and under 19.5 years of age on the day of the contest can take the AMC 12. Read more>>
MOEMS (Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools)
MOEMS Contest 1 (Div E- Grades 4-6, Div M- Grades 6-8) Saturday, November 16th, 2019
MOEMS Contest 2 (Div E- Grades 4-6, Div M- Grades 6-8) Saturday, December 14th, 2019
MOEMS Contest 3 (Div E- Grades 4-6, Div M- Grades 6-8) Saturday, January 18th, 2020
MOEMS Contest 4 (Div E- Grades 4-6, Div M- Grades 6-8 Saturday, February 15th, 2020
MOEMS Contest 5 (Div E- Grades 4-6, Div M- Grades 6-8) Saturday, March 14th, 2020
About the Contest: MOEMS, short for Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools is a large and popular mathematics competition for students in grades 4 through 8. It is held yearly from November through March with one test administered each month. Tests are given at individual schools and results are sent to MOEMS for scoring.
AIME I
Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2020
About the Contest: For students who perform exceptionally well on the AMC 10/12, they are invited to continue participating in the AMC series of examinations that culminate with the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). The first in this series is the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME), followed by the USA Mathematical Olympiad and Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO and USAJMO). Read more >>
AIME II
Date: Thursday, March 19th, 2020
Math Kangaroo (Grade 1-12)
Date: Thursday, March 19, 2020
About the Contest: The Math Kangaroo is a great way to introduce elementary school students to the world of competitive math. An interactive competition complete with prizes, the test is not based on knowledge but is rather replete with puzzle and logic-type problems. Open to students in grades 1 - 12, the competition offers 24 problems to be solved within 75 minutes for grades 1-5 and 30 questions for students in grades 5 and up.
International Math Contest Round 1 (Online Challenge)
Date: February 2020 (Registration Opens January 1st)
About the Contest: The International Math Contest (IMC) is a mathematical competition based on the international standards of knowledge of top performing countries. As the United States continues to slip further in the rankings for mathematics, the IMC enables parents to compare their childrens' level of knowledge to that of their international peers.
Russian Math Olympiad (RMO)
Date: April 2020 (By invitation only to qualifiers from Online Challenge)
About the Contest: The first round of the IMC is online, with detailed analysis emailed to parents within weeks. Qualifying students proceed to the Russian Math Olympiad, a written competition that keeps with the rich tradition and prestige of mathematical Olympiads, featuring challenging non-routine problems that promote a deeper level of thinking.
Johns Hopkins CTY
Registration through the talent search website. The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth was the brainchild of professor Julian Stanley, who determined after years of research that 8th grade students who scored in the top 1% of university entrance exams were often destined for greatness in the world of STEM.
Students can choose which standardized test to take (SCAT, SAT, PSAT (8/9), ACT, STB are all options) and qualifying students are eligible to enroll in the Johns Hopkins' Center for Talented Youth. Fun fact: Lady Gaga, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sergei Brin are alumni of the CTY enrichment programs.
The competition is open to students grades 2 - 8, and even if the goal isn't to enroll in the Center, participation itself is a good idea for any college-bound student. Read More >>
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