UKMT encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and in uence in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems. Among many mathematical challenges organized by UKMT, their biggest competitions are the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Mathematical Challenge (JMC/IMC/SMC), which have over 700,000 students from 6,000 schools each year, and are the UK’s most popular school Mathematical Challenges. The Junior Mathematical Challenge (JMC) is based on the knowledge learned in the classroom, allowing students to apply their mathematical knowledge to solve problems in a novel way. Most questions are easy for primary and secondary school students, but there are still some challenging questions designed to develop students’ critical thinking and mathematical reasoning skills, to stimulate their enthusiasm for learning mathematics and to enjoy solving puzzles. Students who achieve excellent results in JMC will be invited to participate in JMO.
The Junior Mathematical Olympiad (JMO) is an advanced challenge to JMC, which invites high achievers in the JMC to participate, encouraging students to improve their mathematical reasoning skills, re ne their logical thinking and acquire higher mathematical skills. The top performers in JMC have the opportunity to compete in JMO.
| Level | Student Eligibility | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Mathematical Challenge (SMC) | Grade 12 or below | 10 October, 2024（90mins） | 25 multiple choice questions |
| Intermediate Mathematical Challenge (IMC) | Grade 10 or below | 31 January, 2024（60mins） | 25 multiple choice questions |
| Junior Mathematical Challenge (JMC) | Grade 7 or below | 29 April, 2024（60mins） | 25 multiple choice questions |
The Junior Mathematical Challenge (JMC) is based on the knowledge from school. The problems promote critical thinking skills, often making students apply their knowledge in unfamiliar ways in order to solve a problem. Most questions are accessible to all students, while still remaining a challenge for more experienced students.
Junior Mathematical Challenge (JMC): Global Awards (2023 award thresholds)
( Top 50% of UK participants will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze in the ratio 1:2:3. International participants will be awarded based on the UK thresholds. Students not amongst the high scorers will receive a Certificate of Participation in E-version.)
Junior Mathematical Olympiad (JMO)
Global Awards:
(The 2023 award thresholds were: Merit: 21+, Distinction: 36+, Bronze medal: 36+, Silver medal: 44+, Gold medal: 51+ )
Language: English
Type: 25 multiple choice questions
Form: Paper/ Computer
Time: 60 minutes (31 January, 2024)
Location: Partnering school
Scoring System: 5 points for 1-15, 6 points for 16-25, 0 points for incorrect answers. Questions 16-20, each wrong answer loses 1 mark; Question 21-25 , each wrong answer loses 2 points. Answers left blank will be marked as 0.
Intermediate Mathematical Challenge (IMC) (2023 award thresholds)
( Top 50% of UK participants will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze in the ratio 1:2:3. International participants will be awarded based on the UK thresholds. Students not amongst the high scorers will receive a Certificate of Participation in E-version.)
Language: English
Type: 25 multiple choice questions
Form: Paper/ Computer
Time: 60 minutes (10th October, 2024)
Eligibility: Grade 12 and below
Location: Partnering school
Scoring Rules: Starting score 25 points, 4 points for correct answer, 1 point deducted for wrong answer
Senior Mathematical Challenge (SMC) (Global awards 2023 award thresholds)
(Top-Scoring Rules 66% of participants will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze in the ratio 1:2:3. International participants will be awarded based on the UK thresholds. Students not amongst the high scorers will receive a Certificate of Participation in E-version.)
15th April, 2024
29th April, 2024 (Monday) (60 minutes)
Online (Computer) / Paper-based in partnering school.
Individual test
25 multiple choice questions
Grade 7 or below
5 points for 1-15, 6 points for 16-25, 0 point for incorrect answer
TBD
12th June 2024 (Wednesday) – (120mins)
Online (Computer) / Paper-based in partnering school.
Individual test
16 problems
• Section A: 10 fill-in-the-blank questions. Only answers are required to the problems in Section A.
• Section B: 6 answer questions. Full written solutions are required for problems in Section B.
JMC Winners
Each question in Section A is worth 1 point, each question in Section B is worth up to 10 points. Answers in Section B can be awarded partial marks depending on the clarity of the participants Mathematical presentation. Answers left blank will be marked as 0.
