> Introduction
Canadian Math Contests
There are many opportunities in taking math competitions in Canada only if you are courageous to challenge. First things first is to set a right attitude: do not get frustrated if you did not perform well: remember it is not an exam and it does not decide your destiny. However, it will be a honour and also will bring your confidence, if only you do perform well and get recognized. Whatever your current position is, keep trying and challenge yourself to do better!
Now introduce the major events of Math Competitions events for students in secondary and elementary schools:
International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO): This competition is by invitation only.
It is considered the math problem-solving contest of the highest challenging level, and is held annually. In recent years, more than 100 countries has participated in each year's contest event.
For the participating student, on receipt of the invitation letter, he typically attend a camp for intensive math trainings that last several weeks, and then depart for the host contries to participate in the contest.
Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge (COMC) is typically held in the November of each year. This event is host by Canadian Math Society (CMS).
The COMS has two purposes:
The final winners will be eligible for participating IMO -- International Math Olympiad, representing Canada. There are miscelleneous opportunities as well such as entering higher-ranking contests and the admission to math camps.
Who are eligible for the COMC?
Award-winning：（１）The Top 50 students are invited to CMO; (2) The Top One student of each province /region will be awarded a plate of top honour; together with the school he/she is enrolled; (3) The top 9 students will be awarded gold; (4) The top 25% students will be awarded the certificates.
The test time is 2.5 hours. The marking scheme looks both results and presentation. Correct results with poor or unclear presentation WILL NOT RECEIVE full marks. For this contest, NO Calculator is permitted (same rule applies for IMO).
According to the outline given by Canadian Math Society，the test covers the following topics:
Canadian Nationwide Math Competition is organized by University of Waterloo. From Grade 7 to 12, each grade has one or more competitions. Exceptional students may compete in a level than one's grade in school. The classic competitions are Gauss (very popular), Pascal (for grade 9), Cayler (grade 10) and Fermat (grade 11). Questions are in multiple choice format.
Since 2003, several contest were added for G 9 - 11; these tests require a student to present his /her solution process (at least for some of the questions). They are FRYER CONTEST (GRADE 9), GALOIS CONTEST (GRADE 10) and HYPATIA CONTEST (GRADE 11). These tests are held in mid April: Each test has 4 questions, to be answered in 75 minutes. (?)
Since 2010, CIMC (Grade 9/10) and CSMC (Grade 11/12) have been added for high school students. several contest were added for G 9 - 11; these tests require a student to present his /her solution process (at least for some of the questions). These ones follow the new standards; that is, NOT ONLY some questions require FULL SOLUTIONS, BUT ALSO credits will be assigned for the clarity and soundness the of presentation.
These tests are held in late November each year: Time allot to write the test is 2 hours.
Since students are required to present their solutions, student cannot "guess" from the choices; it is also a good opportunity to inspect the ability of expressing in math.
How to prepare for the competition? You may consult the following site www.cemc.uwaterloo.ca to find past contest problems.
All problems are oriented to Canadian math curriculum; most are an inspecting of how much one has mastered in basic math knowledge and skills. Some are challanging, e.g. problems formulated as a game scenario, which calls for the ability of modelling in math, of observing patterns, generalization, proving findings and presenting your solution.
Problems will not be repeated from recent years, and one can never exhaust all problems.
It is thus important to master Methods and Skills, as well as to develop INGENUITY and INSIGHT.
For the classic series (multiple choices):
There are 25 multiple choice questions divided into three parts, A, B and C. The focus on the first two parts are basic knowlegde and skills common to Canadian math curriculum. The focus on the last part C are math methods and intermediate to advanced skills, and the ability to apply multiple skills in problem solving. The full score is 150, and the paper must be completed within 60 minutes. Each individual student can participate in one of the tests only (all are held on the same day).Award-winning: The top 25% is awarded an certificate. The excellent students in CAYLEY and FORMAT competitions will be invited to University of Waterloo to participate in a training program for math competitions. For CIMC/CSMC, The top 25% is awarded an certificate. The Top 50 will be recognized at the CEMC's website and may also be recognized by his/her school or the school he/she wrote the test. For COMC, in addition to a certificate for top 25%, there may be plate of honour, cash prizes and the best may be invited to participate in CMO (Canadian Math Olympiad). COMC will honour those who do particularly good for the age group (for example, those from grade 9 will be compared with peers to select the best for honour; their performance will not be compared with grade 11). Prizes will be given for both the National Best and the Province Best.