The Big Value of Middle School Math Competitions

1de17dd68550035298362544d7128796 The importance of mathematics competitions has been widely recognized for three reasons: they help develop imaginative capacity and thinking skills whose value far transcends mathematics; they constitute the most effective way of discovering and nurturing mathematical talent; and they provide a means to combat the prevalent false image of mathematics held by students, as either a fearsomely difficult or a dull and uncreative subject.

Our Middle School Competitive Math course is designed purposefully to help students master Math Competitions, and enrich them academically. In the classes, we will cover all concepts/topics that frequently occur on the math contests and teach efficient strategies required for contest-based problem solving. We will review questions drawn from previous years’ contests as well as a variety of carefully selected resources. Students will think and learn math skills outside the realm of their school classrooms. All math skills developed through these courses will be helpful not only for math competitions, but also for comprehensive exams such as Johns Hopkins University CTY’s Scholastic and College Ability Test (SCAT), Montgomery County Public Schools’ magnet program admissions test, and even PSAT, SAT, and ACT.

In an increasingly competitive magnet program applications pool, the process of mastering math skills through our courses and participating in Math Competitions will help students strengthen and diversify their extracurricular activities. These contests can spur students’ interest in math and discover their talent through solving challenging problems different than those in the school classes. Good performance in Math Competitions will definitely enhance admission opportunities for students to magnet programs in Montgomery County Public Schools.