Competition - post a photo you've taken of nature >>

UKMT Maths Challenge

I was wondering if not being good at the Maths Challenge (e.g. Intermediate or Senior) means I'm probably not good enough to get into Cambridge to study Maths?
This is because I generally get full marks in all my tests and if I get over 95 UMS in all modules, do well in STEP and do well at the interview will they really care how well I did in the maths challenge?
Thanks in advance

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

navip

From what I know they say STEP has a high correlation with performance at Cambridge so if you do well at interviews and STEP I don't think they would mind

Reply 2

Doones

Original post by carlsenesque

STEP > anything else.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 3

LisaNikita

If you want to do maths at Cambridge you just need a polished CV and very relevant work experience. You can do the challenges but most of the challenges represent IQ tests or Asperger's tests. I'll send some questions from last year.

Reply 4

Doones

Original post by LisaNikita

If you want to do maths at Cambridge you just need a polished CV and very relevant work experience.

Wut?

You can do the challenges but most of the challenges represent IQ tests or Asperger's tests. I'll send some questions from last year.

Wut?

Posted from TSR Mobile

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 5

solC

Original post by carlsenesque

I got a silver in the maths challenge last year, and received an offer for maths

That being said, doing well in the maths challenges will definitely help with problem solving skills...

Reply 6

CraigBackner

Original post by carlsenesque

if your no good at maths challenge you will be no good at maths in oxbridge

Reply 7

Doones

Original post by CraigBackner

if your no good at maths challenge you will be no good at maths in oxbridge

Andrew Wiles doesn't agree.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 8

carlsenesque

Original post by CraigBackner

if your no good at maths challenge you will be no good at maths in oxbridge

Do you have any evidence to support this and if so please share. Also do you study maths at Cambridge if so how did you do in the maths challenge?

Reply 9

carlsenesque

Do most Cambridge students get to the BMO?

Reply 10

carlsenesque

Do they care if you don't do well at the maths challenge if excel in all other aspects? and is there a correlation between maths challenge success and success at Cambridge?

Reply 11

carlsenesque

Is the math challenge more of a logic/problem solving test than maths?

Reply 12

Doones

Original post by carlsenesque

Do most Cambridge students get to the BMO?

It's not relevant.

Anyway, BMO2 has 100 students. There are approx 250 mathematicians accepted each year at Cambridge. So, no, most students don't get to (or even try to) BMO2.

Original post by carlsenesque

Do they care if you don't do well at the maths challenge if excel in all other aspects? and is there a correlation between maths challenge success and success at Cambridge?

Did you see my earlier replies? The correlation is with STEP, not BMO.

Original post by carlsenesque

Is the math challenge more of a logic/problem solving test than maths?

You can see past papers here:
https://bmos.ukmt.org.uk/home/bmo.shtml

(Please don't post multiple questions seperately.)

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 13

carlsenesque

Original post by jneill

It's not relevant.

Anyway, BMO2 has 100 students. There are approx 250 mathematicians accepted each year at Cambridge. So, no, most students don't get to (or even try to) BMO2.

Did you see my earlier replies?

You can see past papers here:
https://bmos.ukmt.org.uk/home/bmo.shtml

(Please don't post multiple questions seperately.)

Do most get to BMO1?

Reply 14

Forecast

Original post by jneill

You can see past papers here:
https://bmos.ukmt.org.uk/home/bmo.shtml

That's the BMO, not the Maths Challenge. The BMO is taken only by those who score highly in the Maths Challenge, which is multiple choice and entered by a large number of A-level mathematicians. The standard is not comparable at all.

Reply 15

Doones

Original post by Forecast

I know, OP seems "obsessed" with BMO.

Edit: ok so here's the Maths Challenge
http://shop.ukmt.org.uk/downloads :wink:

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 16

Doones

Original post by carlsenesque

Do most get to BMO1?

No idea.

But it doesn't matter if you don't.

STEP is the key.

Reply 17

PigBag

Would reaching BMO means a higher chance of getting an interview with Cambridge?
And doing well in the interview would get you and offer requiring you to do well in STEP.

Reply 18

Doones

Original post by PigBag

Would reaching BMO means a higher chance of getting an interview with Cambridge?
And doing well in the interview would get you and offer requiring you to do well in STEP.