Math Contest Chart
The contests below are roughly in age order. You may also be interested in our chart of regional meets, which are major local events sponsored by colleges and universities.
| Contest Name | Grades | Prizes | Team Size | Fee | Registration Deadline | Description |
| World Math Day | Ages 4-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-18, 19-119 | Medals and certificates | Individual | Free | Math Day begins 3/7/12 and lasts 48 hours. Free practice games on the site starting 2/1/12. | Play other students around the world in mental arithmetic games in real time. Each game lasts for 60 seconds. |
| The American Statistical Association Poster Competition | Kindergarten-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th | $50, $100, $200 (and graphing calculators for 4th-12th grade winners) | Individual or Team | Free | Due date April 1 each year | One or more students create a poster displaying two or more related graphics that summarize a set of data/examine the data from different points of view/ answer specific questions about the data. Many helps available on website. |
| Davidson Young Scholars | Ages 5-16 | Students and their parents are given free services for educational advocacy, social and emotional development, talent development and peer connections. Grants available for for Young Scholars for academic materials, tutorials, and other educational needs | Individual | Free | 1st day of every month | This free program offers a set of services designed to nurture the intellectual development of profoundly intelligent young people. |
| North South Foundation Math Bee | 1st-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th | $250-$1000 scholarships | Individual | $30 | Depends on your state; generally March/April | For Indian-Americans only. Has regional and national levels |
| Ole Miss Math Challenge | All | Correct answers are entered in drawing to win a t-shirt (one awarded for each level each week) | Individual | Free | New problems will be placed on the contest pages each Monday | Weekly online problems at four levels: Elementary Brain Teaser, Middle School Madness Algebra in Action and Problem of the Week. Enter your answers online. |
| World of Escher | All | From online Escher store | Individual | Free | 12/31/11 | Create 8 1/2 x 11" symmetry art work using tesselations, after the pattern of M.C. Escher. |
| Noetic Learning Math Contest | Grades 2-5 | Medals, recognition on website | Individual | $29 per testing grade level | registration 4/1/12 (?), test date 4/12/12 (second test in October) | 45 minute exam, 20 multiple choice problems. Homeschool students must take the exam in a public building, not administered by a relative. |
| Math Kangaroo | 1st-12th | All participants receive T-shirts, certificate, and gifts. High score prizes include college grants and International Summer Camp in Europe | Individual | $20/person | Test is the third Thurs. in March.Registration starts middle of September and ends in January or when spaces fill up | 75-minute, multiple-choice test at individual grade levels. |
| Online Math Leagues | 2nd grade through algebra | Medals for top 10% and for top 2 scorers on a team | Individual or Team (4 or more) | $39/yr for individual (includes 3 contests) or $99/yr for a team | Tests in Nov., late Jan./early Feb., and March | Three online contests per year for each grade level. 15 multiple-choice questions. 30-minute closed book quiz. |
| Talent Search Programs hosted by Johns Hopkins, Duke, Northwestern, and University of Denver | 2nd through 9th (or more narrow ranges) with high scores on standardized testing (typically top 5%) | Above-level ACT/SAT testing experience to gain more accurate information about a gifted student's abilities. Award ceremonies, assistance coordinating educational planning, newsletters, specialized enrichment programs for gifted youth. | Individual | $56-$78 including test fee; financial aid available | Vary (some are quite limited, such as fall of the 7th grade year) | In addition to testing, many educational enrichment programs available for preK-12th graders: challenging weekend, after-school, and summer classes, independent study and online courses, college guides, and more. |
| Contintental Mathematics League | Grades 2 through Calculus. Students mayparticipate at their current grade (age)level or a higher grade level. | 5 certificates and 2 medals perteam. Also national and regional awards forindividuals and teams. | Individual or Team | $85/team | Registration deadline 2/14/12 | 3-5 meets per year. Meets are 30-40 min.long and have 6-8 questions.Students work individually. Top 6 scores aresent in as the team score. |
| ABACUS International Math Challenge | 3rd and 4th graders (ages 9-10), 5th and 6th graders (ages 11-12), 7th and 8th graders (ages 13-14) | High scorers' names posted on website. | Individual | Free | New problems posted monthly. Final deadline 4/30/12 | Eight problems a month in each age group. Answers must explain their reasoning. Incorrect solutions will then receive hints from a teacher, giving students multiple chances to succeed. |
| Educontest | 3rd grade through high school (10 levels available) | Certificates (top 3 students per school) and trophies (top students in 10-school divisions). | Team (3 or more students in the same grade level of math) | $80-$90 per subject level (eg., algebra 1, geometry), plus $6 S&H | Test dates 11/2/11, 12/7/11, 2/1/12, and 3/7/12 | 4 tests per year taken at school. Homeschool groups may participate; register together under a group or homeschool name. |
| American Math Challenge | Ages 9-14 | Trophies, medals, certificates, visit by Scott Flansburg, Guiness World Record Holder, to your school. | Individual | Free | 10/12/11 - 10/13/11 | Online math game you play against others in real time. |
| Math Olympiads | 4th-6th, 6th-8th | Certificates (all participants), trophy (team high scorer), patches, pins, bronze medallion for perfect scores | Team (1-35). Only schools or homeschool associations may participate, not individuals. | $89 ($125 outside of USA) | September 30th registration deadline | 5 monthly contests with detailed solutions. 8 newsletters help sponsor organize the team. Receive free problems and solutions from previous years. |
| The American Statistical Association Project Competition | 4th-6th, 7th-9th, 10th-12th | $50, $100, $200 and graphing calculators. | Individual | Free | Due date April 1 (4th-9th grades) or May 30 (10th-12th grades) each year | One or more students create a statistical project answering a research question using statistical techniques and present the work in a written report. Many helps available on website. |
| The National Financial Capability Challenge | High schoolers ages 13-19 | Certificates | Individual | Free | 3/12/12 - 4/13/12 | Online test conducted by the U.S. Treasury Department to determine and recognize high levels of financial literacy among America’s high school students. |
| MATHCOUNTS | 6th - 8th graders | Top two individuals at each localchapter meet move on to state/ national finals. Top state teams win free trip to nationals and compete for trophies and scholarships. | Individual or Team (1-4) | Materials are FREE. Annual competition is $25 per student or $90 for a 4 person team. | Club- no deadline. Competition- registration must be postmarked 12/16/11 to avoid late fee | Homeschoolers may fully participate so long as they are legal homeschoolers residing within the region of the local meet. Also note the Jean-Guy Béliveau, P.E. MATHCOUNTS Scholarship for MATHCOUNTS students, listed below |
| Reel Math Challenge | 6th - 8th grades | All-expense paid trip to the MATHCOUNTS National Competition; $1,000 scholarship | Team (4) | Free | Submission period: 9/1/11 - 2/1/12 Voting period: 11/15/11 - 2/1/12 | Team of 4 students creates a video based on one of the problems in the MATHCOUNTS School Handbook, teaching the problem using a real- world application. Videos with highest votes online make finalist. Team must have 4 students. Homeschoolers are welcome. |
| Cybermission | 6th-9th grade | $2,000 - $5,000 savings bonds | Team (3-4, all in same grade) | Free | Mission folder due 2/25/11 National Event June 2011. | Conducta web-based, team science project,using science, math and technology tosolve a problem in your community. |
| American Mathematics Contest 8 (AMC 8) | 6th-8th (or advanced 4th & 5th); age 14.5 or younger | Certificates and recognition | Individual | $35 per group+$12 per ten tests | Test date 11/15/11. Discount registration due 10/8/11; late registration due 11/5/11 | 25 question, 40 minute multiple choice test |
| Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program | 7th grade and up | Individualized scholarships and support to pursue educational opportunities | Individual | Free | Received by last Monday in April of 7th grade year | Approximately 50 high-achieving youth with financial need each year receive scholarships to help them develop their talents and abilities. |
| World Mathematics Team Championship | Primary, Junior High, and High School | Awards for 6 teams and 6 individuals in each age level | Individual or Team | airfare + $50 | Competition 11/2/11 - 11/6/11 | Three-day event in Beijing, China including math contests, excursions, and cultural exchange opportunities. More info here |
| For the Win! | All ages | Personal satisfaction | Individual | Free | Always available | Fun online, live math games against other players worldwide. Two types of games: one against many players, and another one-on-one (modeled after MATHCOUNTS Countdown round) |
| Purple Comet Math Meet | Middle school, high school | Certificates | Team (1-6 (Do not need to go to same school or be in same town) | Free | Registration opens 2/1/12 Event 4/17/12 - 4/26/12 | Teams work together at own facility to solve 15-25 problems in 60-90 min. Contest categories for large schools, small schools, and students from multiple schools (or homeschools). Adult supervisor required. |
| Rocket City Math League | Middle school and high school (Pre-Algebra through Calculus) | Trophies for individuals and teams | Individual or Team (but no homeschool teams | Free | Registration opens 8/26/11 Inter-School Test: Oct. 31 - Nov. 14, 2011 Round 1: January 16 - 27, 2012 Round 2: February 13 - 24, 2012 Round 3: March 12 - 23, 2012 | Individual testing has 3 rounds at 5 levels. Team testing has one round at 2 levels. Homeschoolers may do individual testing but may not join together to form a team. |
| BYG Scholarship- Financial Literacy Challenge | middle school, high school, college | $250 scholarships | Individual (Homeschool kids don't need a team of 20 from their school. They should list their school as "Home School" and they will be lumped with all other homeschool kids from their state as a "team.") | Free | Challenge Round: 05/06/2012 - 05/13/2012 Championship Round: 05/20/2012 - 05/27/2012 | Timed online multiple-choice quiz. Other quizzes available on many topics, such as movies or Bible knowledge. Run by Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation. |
| International Mathematics Tournament of Towns | 7th-12th grades | Recognition | Team (As many as you want from one city) | $65 or more per city (depends on city'spopulation) | ? | Contest has 2 stages (autumn and spring) and 2 levels (easier and harder). Score is based on best score of the 4 papers per year. Scores are based on points for best three questions on each paper. USA Contact names: Harold Reiter HBREITER@uncc.edu or Stephen Davis stdavis@davidson.edu in Charlotte, NC area. |
| Harvard/MIT Mathematics Tournament | High School (middle school students may also participate) | Prizes given to top 10 individuals and top 5 teams. | Individual or Team (1-8) | $10/student (late registration $15/student) | Event in February | Held at MIT and at Harvard in alternate years. Challenging and entertaining. One of the largest math competitions in the USA. Individual and team rounds. |
| Intel International Science and Engineering Fair | 9th-12th | $200-$75,000, trips to Europe, notebook computer, additional awards in scholarships, internships, scientific field trips, and laboratory equipment. $4 million total being given in awards. | Individual | Free | National contest May 8-13, 2011. Local qualifying fairs have varied dates. | Mathematics categories and science categories are available. |
| Davidson Fellows Scholarship | Under age 18; no minimum age | $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, and scholarships | Individual | Free | 2/1/12 | Scholarships for extraordinary young people who have completed a significant piece of work in Mathematics, Science, Literature, Music, Technology, Philosophy and Outside the Box. |
| Wisconsin Mathematics, Engineering and Science Talent Search | All (high school level problems) | Invitation to Honors Day at University of Wisconsin, Madison with luncheon, lectures, and awards. Eligibility for $6,000/yr Van Vleck Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin. | Individual | Free | First set is available in October. | Five sets of unusual, challenging, and enjoyable problems each school year. Mail in full solutions to as many as you can solve. |
| Pomona College Mathematical Talent Search | All (high school level problems) | Invitation to Honors Day at Pomona College, CA with luncheon, lectures, and some simple prizes. | Individual | Free | First set will be available in October. | Five sets of unusual, challenging, and enjoyable problems each school year. Mail in full solutions to as many as you can solve. Enter as individual or team. |
| USA Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS) | High school (and advanced younger students) | Books, software, qualification to take the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME) | Individual | Free | Due 3 PM EST on 10/11/11, 11/14/11, third round later | 3 rounds of 5 problems each, to be mailed in a month after posted on website. Carefully written justifications are required for each problem. |
| High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM) | High School | Recognition and certificates | Team (1-4) | $75/team | Event 11/4/11 - 11/21/11 | Work at own facility on real-world problem, during one consecutive thirty-six hour period. Solutions are submitted for centralized judging |
| American Mathematics Contest 10 (AMC 10) | 10th and below; age 17.5 or younger | Certificates and recognition. Students scoring in top 2.5% may participate in the AIME. | Individual | $42 per group + $16 per 10 tests | Test dates 2/7/12 or 2/22/12. Discount registration due 12/17/11; late registration due 2/15/11 | 25 question, 75 minute multiple choice test |
| American Mathematics Contest 12 (AMC 12) | 12th and below; age 19.5 or younger | Certificates and recognition. Students scoring in top 5% may participate in the AIME. | Individual | $40 per group + $16 per 10 tests | Test date 2/7/12 or 2/22/12. Discount registration due 12/17/11; late registration due 2/15/12 | 25 question, 75 minute multiple choice test on non-calculus concepts |
| American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) | High scorers of AMC 10/12 or USAMTS (see above) | Top scoring students are invited to take the USAMO to qualify for the US Mathematics Olympiad team for international competition. | Individual | $25 for 10 students; $50 for more than 10 | High scorers on AMC 10/12 are automatically registered. Test date 3/15/12 or 3/28/12 | 15 question, 3 hour exam |
| Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement Exams | High school (in in Spring 2010) | $2,000 – $5,000 scholarship. Two winners from each state. | Individual | Free | No application; College Board automatically determines winners. | Must have earned a 5 on at least two math or science AP Exams during the 2008-09 school year. Students with fives on the most math/science APs win. |
| Siemens Competition | High school students | $1,000-$100,000 scholarships | Individual or teams (1-3) | Free | 10/3/11 | The leading science and mathematics research-based competition for high school students in the United States. See also the Siemens Foundation website. |
| Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society | High school or 2-year college | Membership | Individual | $10/student, $15/chapter | None | Must join a local chapter. Chapter requirements: school must teach Algebra 1&2 and Geometry and employ a teacher with math degree or equivalent. |
| Moody's Mega Math Challenge | 11th and 12th graders | Teams share prizes of $1,000 - $20,000 in scholarship money; opportunity for summer internship with Moody's Corporation. Total of $115,000 in prize money. | Team (3-5) | Free | Registration deadline 2/24/12, 6PM EST | Only for students in Eastern USA (29 states). Team has 14 hours to work together to complete an assigned problem at the place of their choice |
| Jean-Guy Béliveau, P.E. MATHCOUNTS Scholarship | 12th grade | $3,000 scholarship | Individual | Free | Application must be received by March 1st of senior year | Must have participated in MATHCOUNTS in middle school, and be accepted into an ABET-accredited engineering program at a four-year college or university. |
| Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Scholarships | 12th grade | $4,000-$5,000 | Individual | Free | Postmarked before March 1st | Applicant must be a member of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, and be nominated by his local chapter |
| Kalin Award | 12th grade | $2,500 and plaque | Individual | Free | Postmarked June 15th | Applicant must be a member of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, and be nominated by his local chapter |
| Mandelbrot Competition | Under age 20 | Award ribbons. The top three distinct schools within each region along with the top 5 distinct schools at the national level will receive a large engraved commemorative plaque. This is a highly respected contest so the recognition for a high score is valuable. | Individual or Team | $35 per school or homeschool group for electronic delivery ($42 for mail delivery) | Registration deadlines: 9/30/11 for mail delivery, 10/28/11 for electronic delivery. Five rounds starting 10/31/11 and ending 3/3/12. | Individual: Five rounds of 40 minute, 7 question tests on non-calculus topics. Team: works for 1 hr. on proof-style questions. |
Students also might be interested in entering regional meets, which are major math events sponsored by colleges and universities.