International mathematics contests
The International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)
The International Mathematical Olympiad is one of the most prestigious annual mathematical competitions in the world for pre-college students. The first IMO was held in 1959, in Romania. It has gradually expanded to more than 80 countries from five continents.
The selection process differs by country, but it often consists of a series of tests which admit fewer students at each progressing test. Teams are not officially recognised — all scores are given only to individual contestants, but team scoring is unofficially compared more than individual scores. Contestants must be under the age of 20
The International Kangaroo Mathematics Contest
This annual contest originated in France in 1991 and is now a world-wide event. The contest’s main purpose is to promote mathematical thinking and stimulate an interest in maths by providing students with an opportunity to broaden their minds and compare their abilities against the abilities of other students across the world.
Each year, millions of students from dozens of countries take part in the contest worldwide. In Pakistan, the competition is organised by the Kangourou Sans Frontières – Pakistan.
Mental Calculation World Cup (MCWC)
This is an international competition for mental calculators, held every two years in Germany.
MCWC unites the world’s best arithmeticians who compete in addition, multiplication, square roots and other categories. It is a major event in the field of ‘mind sports’, which embrace the skills of mental arithmetic and memory.
International Mathematics Competition for University Students
The International Mathematics Competition for University Students (IMC) is an annual competition open to all undergraduate students of mathematics.
It is primarily a competition for individuals, although most participating universities select and send one or more teams of students. Participating students are expected to be at most 23 years of age.
The Primary Mathematics World Contest (PMWC)
First held in 1997, this contest takes place in Hong Kong with teams participating from around the world.
Participants must be 13 years or younger as of September 1, and must not be enrolled in a secondary institution (or the equivalent). —KAQ
Published in Dawn, Young World, March 31st, 2018