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.
Grade Levels
Grades 1-12 (Ages 6-18)
Format
Multiple Choice
Scoring
Questions in three difficulty tiers worth 3, 4, or 5 points. Starting score of 24 or 30 points. -1 point for wrong answers; 0 for blank. Maximum: 96 (24 questions) or 120 (30 questions).
Participants
30,000-50,000 in Greece; 6 million+ worldwide
Established
1991
January
Registration opens (January-February)
February
Registration deadline
March
Third Thursday of March (worldwide Kangourou Day)
Registration
Schools register with Kangourou Greece. Individual registration also possible in some cases.
Prizes & Recognition
All participants receive a certificate and a small mathematical puzzle/gift. Top scorers nationally receive gold, silver, and bronze certificates. Special prizes for top performers.
| Level | Grade Levels | questions | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thalis (Pre-Ecolier) | 1-2 | 24 | 60 minutes | Multiple Choice |
| Pythagoras (Ecolier) | 3-4 | 24 | 60 minutes | Multiple Choice |
| Euclid (Benjamin) | 5-6 | 30 | 75 minutes | Multiple Choice |
| Archimedes (Cadet) | 7-8 | 30 | 75 minutes | Multiple Choice |
| Hipparchus (Junior) | 9-10 | 30 | 75 minutes | Multiple Choice |
| Eratosthenes (Student) | 11-12 | 30 | 75 minutes | Multiple Choice |
About This Competition
Kangourou Greece (Μαθηματικός Διαγωνισμός «Καγκουρό») is the Greek chapter of the international Math Kangaroo competition, organized by Kangourou sans Frontieres (KSF). With approximately 6 million participants across 90+ countries, Math Kangaroo is the world's largest mathematics competition.
In Greece, the competition serves 30,000-50,000 students annually across six levels named after famous Greek mathematicians: Thalis (grades 1-2), Pythagoras (grades 3-4), Euclid (grades 5-6), Archimedes (grades 7-8), Hipparchus (grades 9-10), and Eratosthenes (grades 11-12).
Note: These level names should not be confused with the separate EME competitions (Thales, Euclid, Archimedes), which are entirely different competitions.
The emphasis is on making mathematics fun and accessible. Problems are designed to be engaging and often involve creative, puzzle-like thinking rather than pure calculation. The multiple-choice format and graduated difficulty (3-point, 4-point, and 5-point questions) ensure that every student can attempt and solve at least some problems.
How to Prepare
Solve Problems by Difficulty Tier
Kangourou questions are arranged in three tiers (easy, medium, hard). Practice each tier separately to build confidence before tackling the hardest problems.
Manage Negative Scoring Carefully
Wrong answers cost you points. If you're unsure, leaving a question blank scores zero, which is better than a wrong guess. Only guess when you can eliminate at least two options.
Use the Official Kangourou Archive
Past papers and solutions are available at kangourou.gr. Work through problems from your grade level and also try one level above to challenge yourself.
Think Creatively, Not Just Formulaically
Kangourou rewards creative problem-solving and lateral thinking. Many questions have elegant solutions that don't require heavy computation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kangourou Greece?
Kangourou Greece is the Greek chapter of Math Kangaroo (Kangourou sans Frontieres), the world's largest mathematics competition with approximately 6 million participants in 90+ countries. In Greece, it serves students from grades 1-12 across six difficulty levels.
When does Kangourou take place?
Kangourou takes place on the third Thursday of March every year, simultaneously worldwide. In 2026, this is expected to be around March 19.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers in Kangourou?
Yes, there is a -1 point deduction for wrong answers. Leaving a question blank scores 0 points. Students start with a base score of 24 or 30 points to avoid negative totals.
What is the difference between Kangourou and the EME Pythagoras competition?
Both are available for students in grades 2-9, but they are completely independent. Kangourou is part of an international movement (Math Kangaroo). Pythagoras is organized by EME and focuses on mathematical thinking skills with 20 multiple-choice questions. The Kangourou level names (Thalis, Pythagoras, Euclid) are NOT related to the separate EME competitions of the same names.
How can my child prepare for Kangourou?
Practice with past Kangourou papers, which are available from the official website. Focus on creative problem-solving and mathematical puzzles. MathSpark offers practice questions specifically aligned with Kangourou-style problems.
Related Competitions
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.
Thales
The first phase of Greece's secondary school math competition pipeline (grades 7-12). Open to all students, with top performers qualifying for Euclid. Proof-based format requiring full written solutions.
Euclid
The second phase of Greece's EME competition pipeline. By invitation only for top Thales performers. More challenging proof-based problems requiring sophisticated mathematical reasoning.
Archimedes
The third and final qualifying stage of Greece's EME pipeline before the National Olympiad. Olympiad-level proof problems for top performers from Euclid.
Greek Mathematical Olympiad
Greece's national mathematical olympiad, the final selection stage for the IMO team. By invitation only for top Archimedes performers. IMO-style format with 6 problems over 2 days.
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.