How can I compete at an IMO? (2024)

FAQs

How can I compete at an IMO? ›

IMO entry requirements

You must be human, at least 0 years old, and be less than 20 years old on the day of the second contest paper (normally in July). Contestants must normally be citizens or long-term residents of the country that they represent.

IMO entry requirements

You must be human, at least 0 years old, and be less than 20 years old on the day of the second contest paper (normally in July). Contestants must normally be citizens or long-term residents of the country that they represent.

2.1 Participation in an IMO is by invitation only. Each invited country (or territory in some exceptional cases approved by the IMO Board) is entitled to send a team consisting of up to six contestants (the “Contestants”), a Leader, and a Deputy Leader, to be known collectively as the participants (the “Participants”).

Only U.S. permanent residents and citizens may join the American IMO team. In addition, all participants, regardless of geographic location, must meet qualification indices determined by previous rounds of the AMC contests. Entry to the USAMO is by invitation only.

In the United States, the team is selected through a year-long process, starting with the American Mathematics Competitions selecting attendees of the Mathematical Olympiad Program, who are eligible to take the Team Selection Test to select the final IMO team.

High-scoring participants

Zhuo Qun Song, the most highly decorated IMO contestant with 5 golds and 1 bronze medal. Ciprian Manolescu, the only person to achieve three perfect scores at the IMO (1995–1997).

Terence competed in the IMO in 1986 and was the youngest ever gold medallist, at the age of 12 in 1988.

Contestants must be under the age of 20 and must not be registered at any tertiary institution. Subject to these conditions, an individual may participate any number of times in the IMO.

How prestigious is IMO? ›

The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is probably the most prestigious competition for preuniversity students. Every year students from around the world compete for its coveted bronze, silver and gold medals.

Moreover, on IMO there are often some extremely hard problems, and they are always solved by 10-20 people, while in IOI there are some definitely easier problems which are solved by ~6 people (check Last Supper from IOI 2012).

The USA(J)MO is a strenuous 2-day, 9-hour, and 6-problem test of challenging and intensive proof-based problems, which is the same format of testing as the IMO. The USAMO, in particular, rivals and sometimes exceeds the difficulty of the International Mathematical Olympiad.

Students of Classes 1 to 12 are eligible for the IMO level 1 exam. However, only students of Classes 3 to 12 are eligible for the IMO level 2 exam. Level 1: The IMO level 1 exam is conducted at the respective schools of the participants during school hours.

The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is considered the toughest olympiad exam.

The USAMO Index Score is equal to (AMC 12Score) + 10 * (AIME Score). Typically index scores of 210-230+ qualify for the USAJMO and USAMO, but these vary year to year.

The qualification to BMO Round 1 is through the Senior Mathematical Challenge or the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls. Students who do not make the qualification may be entered at the discretion of their school for a fee of £40. The paper lasts 3½ hours, and consists of six questions (from 2005), each worth 10 marks.

FAQs on IMO Eligibility

There is no academic eligibility or marks required for this stage level. All students in grades 1 to 12 are eligible for this exam. To participate in the next level of the IMO exam students have to score minimum marks in the first level.

What is the toughest problem ever asked in an IMO? - Quora. I vote for Problem 6, IMO 1988. Let a and b be positive integers such that (1+ab)|(a2+b2) ( 1 + a b ) | ( a 2 + b 2 ) .