UKMT Senior Maths Challenge as a predictor of Oxford maths chances?

[craggsnbaggs]

If you know any successful Oxford maths applicants, what did they get in the Senior Maths Challenge in Years 12 and 13?

I'm making an assumption here that the MAT uses similar skills to the SMC, and that SMC results might therefore be predictive of who will do well enough in the MAT to be invited to interview, but am I barking up the wrong tree?

I know two young people who are in their first year studying Maths at Oxford. In the Senior Maths Challenge they both did very well. I don't remember their scores in the first round, but if I'm remembering correctly, one then did well at BMO1 (narrowly missing the threshold for BMO2). The other went on to do well at BMO2 (narrowly missing the threshold for the summer camp).

My DS is in first year Oxford maths. He got through to BMO 1 in years 12 and 13. I'm sure it does help with the MAT, but I don't know for sure. I think doing maths and more maths of different styles probably helps too! I do know though, that someone in the year above him at school never did the ukmt because he wasn't good at the type of questions (according to DS) and he at Cambridge 2nd year maths. So not doing well at ukmt doesn't mean that you can't do well!

It sounds to me like you are asking for the lower bounds of UKMT SMC successful Oxford candidates. Getting a whole slew of scores won't really help you if you only recieve answers about very high scores.

I also think you shouldn't rule out the importance of the interview(s) at Oxford.

@craggsnbaggs

I don't think there is brilliant correlation. The second part of the MAT is about communicating mathematically rather than multiple choice and is very different to SMC (BMO is closer, but BMO is based on a more restrictive spec than MAT).

Best ways to prepare for MAT and interview are:

The MAT prep course (www.maths.ox.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate-study/maths-admissions-test/mat-livestream). There will be a new course starting in January for 2022 entry, and James is doing a session on interview advice on Thursday (3rd Dec).

STEP Support Programme foundation modules (maths.org/step/assignments)

Lots of curve sketching practice! That's a favourite for interviews.

Useful, thanks Pallando. DS has never reached higher than Kangaroo in any of the maths challenges, but is interested in applying to Oxford, so I'm wondering if he is being realistic.

He actually has his eye on the maths & stats course, which I understand has far fewer places than plain maths, so presumably is even more competitive. Does that mean it needs a higher MAT score or will more weight be put on interview because it is more applied?

I wouldn't worry too much about UKMT scores. I don't know an awful lot about the Oxford system - this playlist might be useful www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4d5ZtfQonW32ZWu8zVoPXcSZH3KoQ42x. There might be an option to ask question in the new MAT prep course starting in January - or there are also contact details on the www.maths.ox.ac.uk/ website. This document www.maths.ox.ac.uk/system/files/attachments/Feedback%202019.pdf might also be useful?

I would be surprised if it is harder to get onto the maths and stats course - it may be that the general standard of candidate is different? I don't know though!

If it’s any help, DS1 didn’t do particularly well in UKMT, generally silver, but got A* in maths and FM and grade 1 in STEP and got a 1st in maths with >80% average at Warwick. DS2 was quite good at UKMT, always gold, merit in Kangaroo, best in school 3 years running, didn’t get on to the Olympiad, it’s true and (only) got an A at FM! He’s happily studying maths at a different uni to DS1.

So I don’t really think being great at the UKMT is enough of a guide.

Just Maths at Oxford, and doesn't answer your question on UKMT, but does give an idea of level for MAT and chances of offer:

www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/maths_admissions_stats_2019_entr