1. They help master foundational concepts in school mathematics and beyond.

Sometimes, school maths has the tendency to become slightly repetitive, and despite the procedural fluency it helps students acquire, it does not fully prepare them for the expectations set by universities and future careers that require analytical thinking. The subject matter students are expected to study for international maths competitions ranges from topics covered in secondary and high school, including geometry, combinatorics, algebra, pre-calculus, functional equations, number theory and several theorems. The in-depth content provides the chance for students to challenge themselves beyond the classroom while developing a solid foundation and transferable skills to tackle maths in school as well as university. 

2. They improve logical & critical thinking skills and analytical abilities 

Students can enhance their problem solving strategies, evaluation, decision making abilities and communication of knowledge through the rigorous practice they will engage in, in preparation for these contests. The persistence and dedication required truly helps in the development of the skills mentioned above, over a period of time. As a result they can improve their speed and accuracy while solving maths problems, in turn boosting their confidence and mastery of the subject. 

3. They allow self assessment on a global level

Although students may be good at maths in school, participating in these contests not only enhances their mathematical skill, but it enables them to self-assess on a global scale. Each year, over 300,000 students from nearly 6000 schools appear for the American Math Competition, AMC itself, with an even greater number participating in other international math olympiads all over the world. They automatically help build an eco system and international community of problem solvers since their preparation drives them to start pushing boundaries in an effective and collaborative manner. 

4. Develops an academic profile for STEM courses and future careers 

International math olympiads allow students to pick up a transferable set of skills that are applicable in a variety of fields and subjects besides mathematics, and they find themselves building confidence for their future college and university subjects in addition to picking up skills useful for STEM careers. Having participated in these contests is also an indicator of a student’s intellectual capacity and commitment to the field.

Developing these qualities at a younger age is beneficial since it can potentially prepare students for a plethora of job opportunities in the future, including positions in finance, engineering, meteorology, astrology, physics, and so many more. 

5. They help build interest and explore the fun side of mathematics.

The preparation for the international math olympiads exposes students to an entirely different perspective, where they have the chance to creatively engage in problem solving and push themselves to think out of the box. They benefit from tremendous social and intellectual opportunities and they can have fun developing advanced mathematical skills. The way the maths problem sets are designed supplement the entire teaching and learning process by raising interest and stimulating inquiry. 

Looking to participate? Click here to find out more about our cutting edge IMO courses!