Pascal, Cayley & Fermat Contests
Canada's Waterloo math contests for grades 9-11. Three separate contests named after famous mathematicians.
Grade Levels
Grades 9-11 (Ages 14-17)
Format
Multiple Choice
Participants
Tens of thousands each
February
Held in February
Registration
Schools register through CEMC
Prizes & Recognition
Certificates for top scorers.
| Level | Grade Levels | questions | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pascal (Grade 9) | 9 | 25 | 60 minutes | Multiple Choice |
| Cayley (Grade 10) | 10 | 25 | 60 minutes | Multiple Choice |
| Fermat (Grade 11) | 11 | 25 | 60 minutes | Multiple Choice |
About This Competition
The Pascal (Grade 9), Cayley (Grade 10), and Fermat (Grade 11) Contests are organized by the CEMC at the University of Waterloo. Each is a 25-question multiple-choice contest completed in 60 minutes. Together with the Gauss and Euclid contests, they form Canada's largest math competition ecosystem.
How to Prepare
Build on Gauss with Deeper Topics
These contests extend Gauss-level skills with more challenging algebra, geometry, and combinatorics. Practice problems that require multi-step reasoning.
Use the Unique Scoring Structure
Part A (easy) is worth 5 marks each, Part B (medium) 6 marks, and Part C (hard) 8 marks. Maximize easy marks first, then invest time in Part C for high scores.
Explore CEMC's Courseware and Problem Sets
CEMC offers free online courseware at cemc.uwaterloo.ca covering exactly the topics tested. Past contest papers with solutions are also freely available.
Preparing for the Euclid Contest
Strong performance here prepares you for the Euclid Contest in grade 12, which is used by many Canadian universities as a factor in admissions and scholarships.
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