Math Competitions for Elementary Students
The best mathematical challenges for young learners in grades 1-6. Build confidence, develop problem-solving skills, and discover a love for mathematics.
Why Enter a Math Competition?
Fun & Engaging
Math competitions make learning exciting. Puzzles and challenges spark curiosity in ways textbooks cannot.
Build Confidence
Solving problems independently builds mathematical confidence. Even participating is an achievement worth celebrating.
Create a Pathway
Early participation opens doors to advanced competitions and develops skills that benefit students throughout their education.
Pythagoras
The Hellenic Mathematical Society's math skills competition for students in grades 2-9 (elementary and gymnasium). Features 20 multiple-choice questions testing mathematical reasoning, not rote knowledge. Held annually on a single Saturday in March.
Kangourou Greece
The Greek chapter of Math Kangaroo, the world's largest mathematics competition. Open to all grades 1-12 with multiple-choice format and emphasis on making mathematics fun and engaging.
Math Kangaroo
The world's largest mathematics competition with 6 million+ participants in 90+ countries. Multiple-choice format across 6 difficulty levels, emphasizing fun and accessible problem-solving.
AMC 8
The entry point to America's premier math competition pipeline. 25 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes for students in grades 6-8.
MATHCOUNTS
The premier US middle school math competition. Free to enter, with a four-level structure from school to national. Features Sprint, Target, Team, and Countdown rounds.
Australian Mathematics Competition
One of the world's oldest and largest math competitions, founded in 1978. Serves 400,000+ students across 5 divisions. Inspired the creation of Math Kangaroo.
MOEMS
One of the world's most popular elementary math competition programs with 120,000+ students from 40 countries. Five monthly contests from November through March.
SASMO
A major Asia-Pacific math competition with 120,000+ students from 20+ countries. Features both multiple-choice and non-routine problem-solving sections.
Noetic Learning Math Contest
A popular biannual US math contest for grades 2-8 with 20 problems in 45 minutes. Accessible through schools, community groups, or parent-led teams.
Continental Math League
A long-running US math competition since 1980 for grades 2-9. Schools host 'Math Meets' where students solve 6 word problems independently.
Primary Mathematics Challenge
The UK's premier maths challenge for pupils aged 9-11 (Years 5-6), organized by The Mathematical Association. Open to schools worldwide.
First Mathematics Challenge
A fun mathematical challenge for pupils aged 7-9 (Years 3-4), designed to make mathematics enjoyable and engaging. Open to schools worldwide.
OBMEP Mirim
One of the world's largest elementary math competitions with 4.4 million+ participants across Brazil. Free to enter, open to both public and private schools.
SOF International Mathematics Olympiad
One of India's largest school-level math competitions for classes 1-12. Two-level structure with top 5% qualifying for Level 2.
South African Mathematics Challenge
South Africa's primary school mathematics challenge for grades 4-7, encouraging curiosity and mathematical exploration. Students can participate individually or in pairs.
Caribou Mathematics
A worldwide online math competition held six times per year. Endorsed by the Canadian Mathematical Society, with results available the same evening.
UKMT Primary Kangaroo
UKMT's newest challenge for primary school students aged 9-11, extending the UK's premier mathematical challenge framework to Years 5-6 for the first time.
MathCON
A US national math competition for grades 4-12, featuring an online qualifying round and in-person finals for top scorers in Chicago.
FFJM International Championship of Mathematical Games
A French-origin international competition focused on mathematical puzzles and logic, running since 1987 with 100,000+ participants across 8 age categories.
SEAMO
A Singapore-based international math competition for grades 1-12, featuring a free training program and pathway to the SEAMO X international final.
Math League
One of America's oldest math competitions (since 1977), offering contests for grades 4-12 with state championships in all US states.
IMAS
A major Asia-Pacific math assessment for 200,000+ students across 20+ countries, offering primary and secondary levels with a two-round structure.
NMOS
Singapore's premier primary school math competition for Primary 5 students, organized by NUS High School and the Singapore Mathematical Society.