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The Math Olympiads Contests

2007-2008

 

DIVISIONS

Choose from two grade-appropriate divisions.

·        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 younger students will be accepted into either division, we do not recommend it. Without proper support, younger students can easily become afraid of math, rather than excited by it.

DATES
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:

2007 - 2008

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.

 

 

 TEAMS
Each team has up to 35 students. Many schools have more than one team. Only schools or homeschool associations, not individuals, may participate. Each team competes in just one division. Teams with members from more than one school are called "District Teams" or "Institute Teams" and are not eligible for team awards. The team score is the sum of the ten highest individual scores, taken after the fifth contest.

 

 

AWARDS
INDIVIDUAL:
Each participant receives a Certificate of Participation. The high scorer of each team receives a trophy. (Note: An Honorable Mention troply is also available for purchase.) Each of the top 50% of all participants in each division receives a handsome embroidered Olympiad patch. Each of the top 10% of all participants in each division receives a silver or gold pin. Each student who achieves a perfect score of 25 points receives a bronze medallion.

TEAM:
For each division, each team in the top 10% of all teams receives a plaque; the next 10%, a certificate. The grade level of a team is the highest grade level of any of its members. In Division E, special certificates are awarded to the top 20% of all Grade 5 Teams and also of all Grade 4 Teams. In Division M, a special certificate is awarded to the top 20% of all Grade 7 Teams.