Year 7 / 8 maths challenge

[Tulipvase]

Hi

My son year 8 has apparently been taking part in a maths challenge. He knows that last week all the top sets did a maths test and then this week, some of those ( including him) did another test today. They were then told not to discuss it online until Saturday morning……

Him being him has just gone along with this but doesn’t actually know what it is for… He was off earlier this week so it could have been discussed. This was done in a non maths lesson, about 30 children in the hall.

Can anyone shed any light on it?

Probably the UK Maths Challenge, my DD did it today. There's a thread about it here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/5052633-ukmt-maths-challenges-how-to

@TeenScreenQueen

Thank you, that might be it. We have been told absolutely nothing about this.

Do you know why only some of the children would have gone on to do another test/challenge today?

Just seen there is a follow on round. Well I hope we actually find out his results soon!

I'd guess the first one was probably a past paper that your school did just to decide who was going to do the whole thing. My DD didn't do one last week, they just picked some of the top set students.

It might be that last week they did a practice paper so that the school could decide who to enter in the actual challenge, which was today. (The schools have to pay for the entries, so might only choose to enter 10/20/30 pupils or whatever). The follow-on round for Year 8 and below is usually in June, I think.

Ah thanks both, that makes sense.

Im just a bit surprised, he’s ok at maths but I didn’t think he was particularly good.

I didn’t even know this was a thing!

Did he enjoy it? My DD hated it. She's good at maths but really hates those wordy style of questions.

He said it was better than doing most lessons but not something he’d do in his free time….he’s pretty laid back really isn’t bothered by much. He thinks he answered about half, but they started late and only had 45 mins?

Yes my ds did that today after being in the top 30 from a test a few weeks ago. The top 5 scoring children from today will then be the team the school fields for UKMT. He’s desperate to get through so we are keeping everything crossed for him.

@Tacocatgoatcheesepizza I’ll keep my fingers crossed for him too. Without being mean I’d be surprised if mine was in the top 5. Science is more his thing, as much as he doesn’t mind maths.

I hope we do find out their results though.

God are there further rounds? Mine will be hoping she didn't score in the top 5!

My daughter did it. Her main take was that the word ferret was overused in one question…

I thought this was something everyone did in the school year? My dd (year 7) mentioned she did the math challenge today. Is it only for some in the year? What is it for exactly? I thought perhaps they might use it for setting for math in year 8 since we are told they are not set in year 7 (not sure if this is true, as apparently different classes have different levels of work).

My ds said that a typical question was similar to 'if ab+10 = 90c, what colour socks does Dave wear on Tuesdays's?'

Really made me laugh. He said he had to guess a lo of it, but finished (probably because he guessed a lot of it).

My DD did not enjoy it and guessed some answers also!

I was told this same thing!

My son was told it was just the top sets doing the test last week and then some were selected to do a test yesterday.

He did also do a maths test last week that he said was more like the usual termly tests they do to check knowledge/understanding.

If they have to pay for entries, a whole year group could be expensive I guess.

My dd said the whole year did it. But she goes to private so perhaps that is why. I would rather the school tell us they are doing this stuff and explain what it is exactly. Especially if some people are preparing beforehand. Ah well, it is done with.

My DD seemed to think results would be available online from midnight tonight (which seems to tally with not discussing it online until Saturday). Does anyone know if this is correct?

Yes, someone posted a link on another thread that confirms this.

Junior Mathematical Challenge - UKMT

The answers are usually online fairly quickly after the deadline, and possibly the boundaries. But the results take a little longer, i think. It also depends on how quickly school print any certificates!

Yes mine did this, every year I think. I think he got a certificate to say he got silver award most years. He stopped doing it once he got a choice though, despite doing A-level maths.

DS took part in the maths challenge, and said the same about the word ferrets 😂

It’s not that your DD goes to private but rather that she goes to a London selective private school which effectively only takes students who would be in “top sets” in comprehensive schools. Her school excludes those students who would get 5s and 6s in maths from entering the school in the first place. Top sets in state schools (as my DD was) get 9s at maths GCSE and do extremely well at UKMT.

My twins did it. One was really cross he had to do more maths, the other was really pleased he got to do more maths. Both said it was weird. I must ask them about ferrets !