School won’t enter student for UKMT maths challenge

Original post by 0-)

My nephew is in year 10 and has a talent for maths so I suggested he look into UKMT and Olympiads. He tried an intermediate maths challenge past paper and his score would have been enough for a gold certificate and he would have qualified for the next Olympiad stage.

His parents asked his school and they said they don’t enter students for the maths challenges. I checked the UKMT website and it seems like a school has to apply and students can’t apply privately? So is there any way he can be entered?

The school has to register - it's free and then he can take the challenges. The IMC is worth doing becuase a top score can get you an invite to a National maths Summer school.

Why won't the school register? Is there another local school that will allow him to sit the challenge?

There is a database of past papers here: https://www.drfrostmaths.com/worksheets.php?wdid=44

https://ukmt.org.uk/intermediate-challenges/intermediate-mathematical-challenge

Reply 3

010

1

Original post by 0-)

My nephew is in year 10 and has a talent for maths so I suggested he look into UKMT and Olympiads. He tried an intermediate maths challenge past paper and his score would have been enough for a gold certificate and he would have qualified for the next Olympiad stage.

His parents asked his school and they said they don’t enter students for the maths challenges. I checked the UKMT website and it seems like a school has to apply and students can’t apply privately? So is there any way he can be entered?

You could try posting that question to @UKMathsTrust on Twitter/X.

Reply 4

FairAboutUK

10

Original post by Muttley79

The school has to register - it's free and then he can take the challenges. The IMC is worth doing becuase a top score can get you an invite to a National maths Summer school.

Why won't the school register? Is there another local school that will allow him to sit the challenge?

There is a database of past papers here: https://www.drfrostmaths.com/worksheets.php?wdid=44

https://ukmt.org.uk/intermediate-challenges/intermediate-mathematical-challenge

My son's primary didn't do primary math challenge as there is no one want to organise. When he got to secondary, the school did not allow him to attend SMC in year 9. It's up to school as I understand.

Reply 5

Original post by FairAboutUK

My son's primary didn't do primary math challenge as there is no one want to organise. When he got to secondary, the school did not allow him to attend SMC in year 9. It's up to school as I understand.

The IMC is for Year 9 not the SMC ...

Reply 6

pkmang

Do you live in London?

Reply 7

FairAboutUK

10

Original post by Muttley79

The IMC is for Year 9 not the SMC ...

I understand IMC is for under year 11 and SMC is for under year 13. I meant that every school has a policy to enter or not UKMT competition.

Reply 8

Original post by FairAboutUK

I understand IMC is for under year 11 and SMC is for under year 13. I meant that every school has a policy to enter or not UKMT competition.

They don't need a 'policy' - every school is open to register and enter the challenges. Parents need to get involved if this isn't being offered.

I would only enter a Year 9 for the IMC as they are far more likely to do well and then get through to follow-on rounds and maybe onto the mentoring scheme.

(edited 4 months ago)

Reply 9

Original post by 0-)

My nephew is in year 10 and has a talent for maths so I suggested he look into UKMT and Olympiads. He tried an intermediate maths challenge past paper and his score would have been enough for a gold certificate and he would have qualified for the next Olympiad stage.

His parents asked his school and they said they don’t enter students for the maths challenges. I checked the UKMT website and it seems like a school has to apply and students can’t apply privately? So is there any way he can be entered?

Thats unlucky its so sad as I know so many people who waste the oppurunity at my grammer school. Most people dont even get Kangeroo let alone olympiad so well done to him

Reply 10

Original post by FairAboutUK

My son's primary didn't do primary math challenge as there is no one want to organise. When he got to secondary, the school did not allow him to attend SMC in year 9. It's up to school as I understand.

SMC is a bit much for year 9 but IMC is realistic

Reply 11

Original post by pkmang

Do you live in London?

bit random lol

Reply 12

FairAboutUK

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Original post by ph9Warad

SMC is a bit much for year 9 but IMC is realistic

He got a medal in the Kayley of year 7.

Reply 13

Original post by FairAboutUK

He got a medal in the Kayley of year 7.

Damn bro has serious talent I thought I was good at maths. He can probably give gcse maths already then

Reply 14

JHK101

8

Original post by ph9Warad

SMC is a bit much for year 9 but IMC is realistic

But not impossible. If the student has shown they can do well on the SMC past papers why not?

Reply 15

Original post by JHK101

But not impossible. If the student has shown they can do well on the SMC past papers why not?

The IMC gives an opportunity to get on the Summer school so it should be the focus.

Reply 16

Sommer2000

1

Original post by ph9Warad

SMC is a bit much for year 9 but IMC is realistic

My son did the SMC in year nine qualifying for the BMO1 and getting a distinction ( local comprehension school not London) . They did this because he had qualified and got medals in the JMO and IMO .

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 17

JHK101

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Original post by Sommer2000

My son did the SMC in year nine qualifying for the BMO1 and getting a distinction ( local comprehension school not London) . They did this because he had qualified and got medals in the JMO and IMO .

Good for him.

Mine did the SMC in year 9 and got to the kangaroo. He did it again in year 10 and got to BMO1 and BMO2.

Reply 18

Original post by JHK101

But not impossible. If the student has shown they can do well on the SMC past papers why not?

this talent is rare tho

Reply 19