Ukmt

[Sara569]

At my school, only Year 8 students are allowed to take the UKMT Junior Mathematical Challenge, and Year 7 students are not permitted to participate. To take the test as a Year 7 student, it seems that prior experience in a primary school-level math Olympiad is required.

However, I contacted UKMT, and they informed me that it is possible to take the test through another school. What should I do in this situation? Could you guide me on how to proceed?

My kids have done this periodically; have missed some years and not others (and have been invited to the summer camp etc). Why do you think it’s important that your DC does this in Y7 if they will have the opportunity in Y8? They will miss out on exactly nothing.

I cannot fathom a situation where a kid from another school is allowed to rock up to sit the junior maths challenge so I think you need to give up on that idea.

I would delay for 1 year and practise Olympiad questions(assuming your child would be qualified for junior olympiad) unless the child is extremely gifted and would benefit from ukmt further camp training(must qualified though which means very high score for Olympiads for Oxford camp, other camps are selected based on BMO1 and BMO2).

The training camps are for aged 14+ so don’t apply to junior maths challenge.

I dont think there is age restriction, its purely based on the Olympiad performance.

https://ukmt.org.uk/enrichment/summer-schools

They’re not set up to look after 11 year olds!

Apologies, I wasnt talking about summer school, it was meant for Olympiad selection camp such as Queens, Oxford camp, Hungary or Trinity camp for UK teams.

Have you ever heard of anyone coming from the Junior Olympiad?

My child qualified for Queens camp based on junior and intermediate Olympiad scores(year 10). A child aged 13 was selected to EGMO from Olympiad results. If the child is exceptional, age shouldnt be a problem(although must be still in secondary school so upper age restriction applied).

That's impressive, @Greenleave ! You must be very proud!

I'd assume minimum Intermediate level though? If they've only done Junior it would be a bit beyond them I'd have thought.

I have some questions about the camp - is the gender ratio 50/50, or is it mostly boys? Does UKMT do something like the US does where a few spots are reserved for girls? Do you know what sort of BMO / intermediate olympiad scores are typical for them?

I dont think so, there isnt 50/50 as my daughter then went to other camps(Hungary etc.) and there were 2-3 times more boys. UKMT does want at least 6 girls for Hungary and 4 for Trinity camp selecting for European girls Olympiad team though.

I would assume so - younger students can take the intermediate challenge and Cayley Olympiad so that's what's expected from an exceptional youngster who wants to make the initial training camp. Past exams are freely available, and even older ones are on the affordable UKMT books. I would also recommend the books by the Art of Problem Solving.

Very impressive. Did your child sit any of the competitions early or was their invitation based on Hamilton & prior?
I would assume most invitees have sat SMC/MOG/BMO alongside Hamilton for a Y10 invitation.