Goals
- To stimulate enthusiasm and a love for Mathematics
- To introduce important Mathematical concepts
- To teach major strategies for problem solving
- To develop Mathematical flexibility in solving problems
- To strengthen Mathematical intuition
- To foster Mathematical creativity and ingenuity
- To provide for the satisfaction, joy, and thrill of meeting challenges
Divisions
- Choose from two grade-appropriate divisions:
- Division E (grades 4-6)
- Division M (grades 6-8)
- If a team has any 7th or 8th graders, it must be in the DIVISION M.
- If a team has NO 7th or 8th graders, we strongly recommend that it be in the DIVISION E.
- NO team may have any student who has completed grade 8.
- Teams may not be split between two divisions.
- While students below grade 4 will be accepted, we do not recommend it. Without proper support, younger students can easily become afraid of math, rather than excited by it
Date
The highlights for students are the five monthly contests, given from November to March. These contests provide an incentive for students to intensify their study of math. The number of contests reinforces learning to think mathematically. The contest dates are:
Contest Dates for 2024 – 2025
Contests may be administered at the Person In Charge of Olympiads (PICO’s) convenience during an administration window.
| Contest | Deadline for Score Entry | |
| 1 | November 11, 2024 – December 6, 2024 | March 31, 2025 |
| 2 | December 9, 2024 – January 3, 2025 | March 31, 2025 |
| 3 | January 6, 2025 – January 31, 2025 | March 31, 2025 |
| 4 | February 3, 2024 – February 28, 2025 | March 31, 2025 |
| 5 | March 3, 2025 – March 28, 2025 | March 31, 2025 |
*All scores must be entered by March 31, 2025
Contest Dates for 2022 – 2023
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CONTEST
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Schedule of Contest
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Deadline for Score Entry
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Division E
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Division M
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1
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Nov 14 – Dec 14
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Nov 14 – Dec 14
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Mar 31
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2
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Dec 5 – Jan 13
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Dec 5- Jan 13
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Mar 31
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3
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Jan 9 – Feb 4
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Jan 9 – Feb 4
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Mar 31
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4
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Feb 6 – Mar 10
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Feb 6 – Mar 10
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Mar 31
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5
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Mar 6 – Mar 31
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Mar 6 – Mar 31
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Mar 31
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Notice that all DIVISION E contests are on Tuesdays and all DIVISION M contests are on Wednesdays. For those entering scores online, the contests will be posted one week prior to the scheduled Olympiad date. Your password will be required to access the contest.
Format
- Contests are taken in the participating school.
- Each contest consists of five nonroutine problems.
- Every problem requires careful mathematical thinking and has a time limit.
- Each student, working alone, scores 1 point for each correct answer. Thus, a student may score up to 25 points per year.
- Calculators are not permitted
- When a problem introduces a more advanced concept, all necessary definitions are included.
- The detailed solution for each problem usually names the strategy required.
- Many solutions include follow-up problems and activities.
- After each contest, results are submitted to us for scorekeeping. Our records will determine which awards are to be shipped after the last contest.