How To Develop Your Child’s Math Passion With Math Olympiad

Have you heard of Math Olympiad? Math Olympiads are competitions in which students are assessed on their math abilities. All over the world, Math Olympiads are held to allow students to challenge themselves with intriguing math puzzles, usually designed to also foster a love for math.

In Singapore, there are several locally organised Math Olympiads and contests, such as the APMOPS, NMOS, SASMO, and more. Some of these are open to participants in the region or worldwide as well.

How to get involved in Math Olympiad?

Many students get started with Math Olympiad in school. Usually, the school will identify students who show potential and interest in math. These students are invited to join a Math Olympiad competition or to join a Math Olympiad class (after-school training sessions). The number of students selected, level of support, and opportunities offered by each school varies.

Why join Math Olympiad?

If you have a child who is passionate in mathematics and displays good logical, numerical, geometrical, and problem-solving skills, exposing them to Math Olympiad competitions can be a good idea! It is a fun way to inculcate a deeper love for math as they will encounter a much broader range of questions, beyond what they are learning in school. Students will also develop skills to solve problems quickly, creatively, and logically.

If your child excels in Math competitions, the awards they achieve can also be used to boost their portfolio, giving them an edge if they want to apply for Direct School Admission to secondary school.

How to prepare for Math Olympiad?

As a tuition centre in Singapore that also runs Math Olympiad courses, we have a roster of experienced Math tutors who are well-equipped to teach Math Olympiad skills. Here are some ways we help students prepare for Math Olympiad contests!

Teaching a variety of problem-solving heuristics

The type of questions in Math Olympiad contests are distinctly different from those in the normal school exams. While school exams focus on assessing knowledge that has been taught, Math Olympiad questions focus on assessing how students can tackle novel problems by being flexible and quick with their thinking.

Our Math Olympiad classes incorporate a systematic way of teaching various techniques for solving common Math Olympiad questions. These ‘textbook methods’ serve as a good foundation for students to develop their own ways of tackling new problems – such as questions with a twist or entirely novel questions.

Speed training with past year papers

While there are limited resources for Math Olympiad out in the market, our students have the privilege of having access to official past year Math Olympiad papers. We mainly use these past year papers to showcase examples of question types, as well as use them as mock papers to train students’ concentration and time management.

Speed, accuracy, and focus are especially crucial in a Math contest where the pressure is high. Oftentimes, there are many ways to solve one question, but students need to be able to find the quickest way in order to finish all the questions.

Personalised feedback and progress monitoring

Being a part of our Math Olympiad class gives students the advantage of learning in a small group class, providing each student with more individual attention. Our Primary School Math Tutors are able to provide one-on-one feedback, and communicate closely with parents to monitor the child’s progress.

This is something you would find difficult to accomplish in schools as teachers simply don’t have enough time and resources to provide tailored help for every child.

Assisting with registering for external math contests

Why stop at one? Some schools may not have the resources to facilitate students going for multiple competitions a year. But when you are a part of our Math Olympiad class, we can help you sign up for other Math contests, and prepare you for it as well.

For students who enjoy learning in Math Olympiad and want to use their experiences to build up their portfolio, ongoing training and taking part in multiple competitions will maximise their chances of winning awards and improving their skills.

Conclusion

Participating in Math Olympiads is a rewarding experience that offers students more than just mathematical knowledge. It sharpens their critical thinking, enhances their problem-solving skills, and builds resilience under pressure. For students who are passionate about mathematics, these competitions open doors to further academic opportunities, such as DSA placements, and set them apart as confident, capable learners.

If you believe your child has the potential to excel in Math Olympiad, we are here to support them every step of the way. With our experienced tutors, structured curriculum, and personalised guidance, your child can tackle Math Olympiads with confidence and skill.

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