10 Math Competitions in 2025 and How to Prepare
reviewed by Jo-ann Caballes
Updated on November 7, 2024
As a new studying year evolves, your kid gets the finest hour to boast their knowledge. There is no better way to do so than through a professional math competition. Just think about your kid’s shining eyes and motivation when there’s a winning opportunity at stake. Furthermore, such challenges are also great for their college or university application.
But which competition to pick? In this guide, we unveil the top ten options.
How to prepare for math competitions?
To prepare for math competitions, the kid should follow these steps:
Review the past math problems
Indisputably, the best way to prepare for a math competition in the US is to practice with the past tasks. Luckily, those are usually listed right on the official pages. Juliana Perez is the math expert teacher at BASIS Independent Manhattan Upper School. Plus, she’s also a parent of a 3d grader and PreK students at BASIS Independent Manhattan. Here’s how she digs deeper into the question:
“To succeed, students should approach math contests like sports competitions.”
The preparation involves working through practice tests, solving past exams, and participating in math clubs. These activities build problem-solving skills, familiarity with contest formats, and confidence under timed conditions.
Like in sports, the key is to train regularly and develop a strong mindset for challenges.
Cannot find any actual examples covered for your competition? Then, search the official site for training tasks. Here are some tips shared by Stefanie LaPierre, the professional math tutor at BASIS Independent Manhattan Lower School:
“Many math competitions offer preparation tools on their website. ”
Noetic encourages students to participate in Challenge Math Online, their problem-solving practice program.
Math Kangaroo also offers extensive preparation through free sample questions, online coaching, and access to previous problems.
Memorize the standards
Most questions in any competition come down to how well your kid can operate general math content. It includes numeric math formulas they must memorize by heart, as well as the rules for divisions and multiplications. The same concerns understanding diverse metric systems, imperial systems, and how addition and subtraction work.
Learn to manage the exam time
Many kids fail to get to the end of the test. That’s because they try to solve each problem on the first try. Cannot do it properly? Then they get stuck. It especially applies to elementary students during any math olympiad in 4th grade or below.
The only solution here is to move on to other problems if something seems too complicated. This way, the child will leave fever black spaces.
How to find math competitions?
To find national math competitions, you should first check the information in your school. Most olympiads are either proctored by a school or require a teacher to register participants.
Alternatively, you can use any of Juliana Perez’s tips below:
“To find mathematics contests, I connect with organizations like the Mathematical Association of America for AMC contests.”
How to prepare for math competitions with Brighterly?
Participating and succeeding in an olympiad math competition are two separate targets. While equally beneficial, most motivated students target the latter. Does your kid belong to the group? Then, they need solid preparation. Check out Brighterly — the platform for customized, timely, and effective online learning.
But why Brighterly? There are a few distinct benefits your kid can get with them:
- The study program is adjusted to each child’s needs and current level. Need to prepare within a set time limit? That’s possible with professional math tutors!
- On this platform, children can also access extra resources free of charge. Check them out, as these test tasks and related math worksheets are the best way to assess the current knowledge level.
- The lessons at this math tutoring platform are conducted in a convenient 1:1 format. It means a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere without tension. Plus, the kids may take as much time as they need to cover the material.
As you can see, there are many benefits. But if you’re still hesitating, you can check out what others say about the platform.
Brighterly boasts a 4.6 average score on Trustpilot, which shows the highest trust level. Aiming for a math competition for class 4 or any other grade? Book a free demo lesson today and start preparing.
10 best math competitions for elementary and middle students
The 10 best upcoming math competitions for elementary and middle students are as follows:
- MOEMS
- The Purple Comet
- Noetic Learning math contest
- International Mathematical Olympiad
- Continental Mathematics League
- Math League
- MATHCOUNTS
- United States of America Mathematical Talent Search
- Perennial Math
- RSM International Math Contest
1. MOEMS
When? December 9, 2024 — January 3, 2025; January 6-31, 2025; February 3-28, 2025; March 3-28, 2025
This national olympiad mathematics competition is a general favorite for its fun social format and rich history. These days, the contest involves over 120,000 students from the US plus 39 other countries.
Here’s what Juliana Perez has to say about it:
“MOEMS is great for students in grades 4 - 8, as it’s extremely accessible and encourages creative problem-solving.”
2. The Purple Comet
When? April 22 – May 1, 2025
This annual competition has been running since 2003. Here, students can choose their team members. Then, they have to work on solutions within a 10-day window. To register, you need to have an adult supervisor.
3. Noetic Learning math contest
When? Spring 2025
As declared, the contest will primarily test students’ problem-solving skills. For online math competitions like this one, children must work independently without using a calculator to solve creative tasks.
4. International Mathematical Olympiad
When? July 10-20, 2025
IMO is the oldest international competition running since 1959. It invites over 100 countries per year. The US commitment is to pick the six best participants to represent the state.
5. Continental Mathematics League
When? May 12, June 2, June 3, July 11, September 1, 2025
CML is an ideal math competition for middle school and elementary students to boost problem-solving. Children are divided by grades, so they will have to compete against others with a similar level of preparation.
6. Math League
When? December 2024 — July 2025, multiple dates
Math League is a global math competition for elementary school and middle-aged students that invited over 30,000 children over the last year. Its main philosophy is creating the relevant experience required to learn math.
7. MATHCOUNTS
When? March 1-31, 2025
This one is a national mathematics contest for middle-school students. It’s conducted at the school level, with each institution being able to register up to 15 students.
8. United States of America Mathematical Talent Search
When? December 2, 2024
Participating in this list pick is entirely free of charge. The math program is targeted at middle to high school students and is known for its complexity — almost every task listed needs solid justification.
9. Perennial Math
When? October 17, 2024 — May 01, 2025
This online competition involves children between grades 3 and 8. In terms of this cap term, kids can take part in annual competitions or monthly tournaments — rewards are guaranteed for every child.
10. RSM International Math Contest
When? All year round
The olympiad math contest gathers about 30,000 students around the world. Conducted with the European Math Olympiads in mind, it follows their best traditions. Registration here is free, which is an additional pro argument.
Elementary math competitions for students
The best math competitions for elementary students in the US are:
- Math Kangaroo
- William Lowell Putnam Math Competition
- American Regions Mathematics League (ARML) contest
Math Kangaroo
When? March 20, 2025
The Kangaroo math national competition is quite universal, as kids of all levels and grades can participate. But note that it is pretty competitive and varied — the questions cover everything from algebra to calculus and other math fields.
Be sure to fill in the form by December 15th. Participation is completely free.
William Lowell Putnam Math Competition
When? December 7th, 2024
This math olympiad for primary school has existed since the 1930s! Note that Putnam’s competition has produced some of the best math scholars in the country, so it’s definitely worth your attention. By the way, MIT students won it last year.
You can still register till November 15th, so don’t miss your chance for a winning place.
American Regions Mathematics League (ARML) contest
When? May 30 — 31, 2025
The primary school mathematics competition is mainly organized for exceptional students but does not restrict others from getting involved. The flow includes different rounds for teams, individuals, relays, and more.
Note that the registration hasn’t been opened yet, so be sure to follow the news.
Math competitions for middle school students
The top math competitions for middle school students include:
American Mathematics Competitions
When? Third week of January 2025
Founded back in 1950, AMC currently involves over 300,000 students per year. It actively encourages parents’ involvement, claiming that they are the main support to the children.
Here’s some extra information, as shared by Juliana Perez:
“The AMC math competition in the US is held online and offline.”
Registration is now open, so hurry to fill out everything on time!
Beestar National Competition
When? March 17-20, 2025
This one is an individual national mathematics competition conducted in several series. It’s known for its strict judgment and fairness, so participants shouldn’t expect any outside help.
The registration is up to open on December 22.
Exeter Math Club Competition (EMCC)
When? January 2025
This one ranks among the best math competitions for elementary students for several reasons. Its main aim is to unite like-minded students. Children can register individually or in groups of up to four.
Registration for the 2025 contest is expected to start soon.
Math competitions: benefits
The main benefits of math competitions are:
- Fun learning process
- Boosted confidence
- Estimation of a child’s proficiency
- Stimulated creativity
- A great value on a resume
Fun learning process
Most hosted math championship programs gather students from a variety of schools to meet and compete. The whole process can become a fun adventure for your child. If the competition has mini-tasks, kids will feel like they are in a video game with quests to complete.
Boosted confidence
If the kid manages to qualify or win, they will feel the confidence boost that money cannot buy. Plus, they’ll receive awards, confirming their math excellence.
Here’s how Stefanie LaPierre describes the whole benefit:
“Seeing everyone so excited and proud of themselves was such a special moment.”
But, regardless of the results, sometimes competing is wonderful just to celebrate a love of math.
Source: BASIS Independent Schools
Estimation of a child’s proficiency
You must know what math concepts confuse your child to help in applying them. Competitions usually show all those gaps as well as opportunities. Afterward, you can employ a tutor to help your child improve.
Stimulated creativity
Quite often, math competitions for elementary students encourage kids to find creative solutions. Plus, they must work with time-based questions and come up with answers in seconds.
A great value on a resume
It especially works if your kid wants to apply as a STEM student. Getting involved and achieving the top three positions in math competitions could get them an early entry into colleges or universities.
Conclusion
For elementary or seniors, participating in math events comes with undeniable benefits. It’s how kids start learning math in a more sociable and engaging way.
Wondering, “What are the math competitions near me?” Pick any option from the above list. And remember: whenever your kid needs thorough preparation, Brighterly provides it in the most convenient format.
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