The Ultimate Preparation Checklist for IMC Participants
Preparing for a mathematics competition is not simply about solving as many questions as possible. For an International Maths Challenge (IMC) participant, good preparation also means understanding the test format, strengthening mathematical fundamentals, becoming comfortable with online testing, and knowing what to expect on test day.
The International Maths Challenge is designed for school students and provides online mathematics challenges and preparatory resources for students around the world. The IMC Academic Committee develops grade-appropriate assessments, while the competition's preparation resources are designed to help students become familiar with the question style and online test environment.
If you or your child is preparing for the IMC, this practical IMC preparation checklist can help you organise the final stages of preparation.
1. Understand the IMC Before You Start Preparing
One of the most common preparation mistakes is practising without first understanding the competition.
The International Maths Challenge currently has two formats: the Two-Round Open Challenge and the Online Simulated Maths Challenge (OSMC) for selected schools.
For the Two-Round Open Challenge, students progress through a Prelims round and, if they meet the qualification requirement, a Finals round.
Before beginning serious preparation, check:
Your child's current school grade
The appropriate IMC grade
Whether the student is participating in the Open Challenge or OSMC
The test date and registration deadline
The number of questions
The allotted test time
The current syllabus
The scoring structure
The test-day requirements
The IMC website should always be treated as the final source for the latest schedule and competition rules because dates and arrangements can change between challenge editions.
2. Check the Current IMC Syllabus
The next item on your maths competition preparation checklist should be the syllabus.
IMC explains that its syllabus is designed to maintain parity across different curricula and countries. The questions may therefore feel different from routine school exercises, even though students are expected to work within the appropriate grade-level mathematics.
Do not assume that preparation means studying advanced university-level mathematics.
Instead, make sure the student has a strong understanding of the mathematical concepts included in their grade-level syllabus.
A useful checklist is:
☐ Review the official IMC syllabus
☐ Identify familiar topics
☐ Identify topics that need revision
☐ Practise applying concepts to unfamiliar questions
☐ Review mistakes after every practice session
☐ Spend extra time on recurring weak areas
The objective is not simply to memorise formulas. Students should understand how and when to use the concepts they have learned.
3. Strengthen Mathematical Fundamentals
A strong foundation makes competition-style questions much easier to approach.
Depending on the student's grade, preparation may involve areas such as arithmetic, numbers, geometry, algebra, measurement, word problems, patterns, and other topics listed in the relevant IMC syllabus.
Rather than attempting to revise everything at once, divide the syllabus into manageable sections.
For example:
Day 1: Numbers and arithmetic
Day 2: Fractions, decimals, or percentages
Day 3: Geometry
Day 4: Algebra or patterns
Day 5: Mixed problem solving
Day 6: Practice paper
Day 7: Review mistakes
The exact topics should always be adapted to the student's grade and the current IMC syllabus.
4. Use the Official IMC Practice Papers
One of the most useful resources for International Maths Challenge preparation is the official Test Practice Paper package.
According to the IMC, there are 15 fully solved Test Practice Papers designed to closely resemble the Maths Challenge. Students can practise directly on the test platform, helping them become familiar with the online testing experience.
The first 10 papers include written solutions, while the next five are more challenging and include video explanations from IMC teachers.
Use these papers as learning tools rather than simply counting how many you complete.
After each paper, ask:
Which questions did I get wrong?
Was the mistake caused by a concept gap?
Did I misunderstand the question?
Was it a calculation error?
Did I spend too much time on one question?
What can I do differently next time?
This turns practice into measurable learning.
5. Create an Error Log
An IMC preparation checklist is incomplete without an error log.
A simple notebook or digital document can contain four columns:
| Question | Mistake | Why It Happened | What I Learned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q5 | Incorrect calculation | Rushed | Check arithmetic |
| Q11 | Wrong method | Misunderstood concept | Review the topic |
| Q17 | Ran out of time | Spent too long earlier | Practise question selection |
The purpose is not to record every mistake forever. It is to identify patterns.
If the same type of error appears repeatedly, that topic deserves additional practice before the competition.
6. Practise Thinking, Not Just Answering
Competition mathematics can require students to apply familiar concepts in unfamiliar situations.
This is why solving a large number of routine textbook exercises is not always enough.
During preparation, encourage students to ask:
What information has been provided?
What exactly is the question asking?
Is there a simpler way to approach it?
Can I estimate the answer first?
Is there a pattern?
Can I eliminate obviously incorrect options?
Does my final answer make sense?
These habits can make problem solving more systematic.
7. Practise With the Actual Time Limit
Knowing the mathematics is only part of preparation. Students also need to understand how they work under the competition's time conditions.
For the current IMC format, Grades/Years 1–6 have 20 multiple-choice questions and 45 minutes, while Grades/Years 7–12 have 26 multiple-choice questions and 60 minutes.
Use official practice papers to rehearse these conditions.
During a timed session:
Keep distractions away.
Use only permitted materials.
Start and stop the timer correctly.
Avoid checking answers midway.
Practise moving past difficult questions.
Review the paper after finishing.
The goal is to make the test format feel familiar rather than surprising.
8. Learn to Manage Difficult Questions
A difficult question does not necessarily mean the student should spend most of the test trying to solve it.
The IMC test interface allows students to navigate between questions and return to questions later. This makes it useful to develop a simple strategy before test day.
For example:
First pass: Answer questions you can solve confidently.
Second pass: Return to questions requiring more thought.
Final check: Review flagged questions and answers where time permits.
Students should practise this approach during mock tests so that they are not trying to invent a strategy during the actual competition.
9. Understand the IMC Scoring System
Students should know how their answers affect their score.
For Grades/Years 1–6, the current scoring structure lists:
20 questions
5 marks for a correct answer
-2 marks for an incorrect answer
100 total marks
For Grades/Years 7–12, the current structure has 26 multiple-choice questions divided into two sections with different marks for correct and incorrect answers.
This makes it particularly important for older students to understand the scoring rules before the test.
Do not rely on advice from an old practice guide or another mathematics competition. Always check the scoring structure for the current IMC edition.
10. Prepare the Computer and Internet Connection
Because the IMC is an online proctored mathematics competition, technical preparation belongs on the checklist too.
Before test day, confirm that:
☐ A desktop computer or laptop is available
☐ The camera is working
☐ The microphone is working
☐ The internet connection is stable
☐ The browser and test environment work correctly
☐ The computer is charged or connected to power
☐ The testing area is quiet
☐ The student knows how to log in
☐ Required identification has been submitted according to the instructions
The IMC states that smartphones, iPads and tablets are not permitted for taking the test. A desktop or laptop with a connected camera is required.
It is much better to discover a technical problem during a practice session than a few minutes before the competition begins.
11. Understand the Online Proctoring Rules
The IMC uses online proctoring supported by AI and human proctors.
Students should therefore understand that the competition is not simply an ordinary online quiz.
The IMC explains that its proctoring system uses elements such as the webcam, microphone and screen monitoring. Activities that may raise security concerns can be flagged for review.
Students should therefore:
Take the test independently.
Keep the testing area appropriate and uncluttered.
Avoid using another device.
Do not open other browser tabs.
Do not communicate with another person during the test.
Follow the instructions provided by IMC.
Avoid attempting to bypass or interfere with the monitoring system.
For younger students, parents or guardians can assist with the login process, but the student is expected to proceed independently once the test begins.
12. Prepare the Test-Day Desk
Keep the workspace simple.
According to the IMC's current FAQ, students may use essential stationery such as:
Pens
Pencils
Erasers
Notebooks
Scratch paper or pads
Calculators are not permitted.
Water is allowed, and the IMC also states that light snacks may be kept available.
Preparing the desk beforehand reduces unnecessary interruptions during the test.
13. Do a Final Technical Rehearsal
At least once before the competition, complete a practice session using the same computer and environment that will be used for the real test.
Check:
Device: Does the computer work properly?
Camera: Is the camera recognised?
Microphone: Is the microphone functioning?
Internet: Is the connection stable?
Workspace: Is the room suitable?
Login: Can the student access the correct account?
Practice platform: Is the student comfortable navigating the test?
This is one of the simplest ways to reduce avoidable test-day stress.
14. Do Not Leave Preparation Until the Last Day
Last-minute revision can create unnecessary pressure.
A better approach is to divide preparation into stages.
Two to Four Weeks Before the IMC
Focus on:
Reviewing the syllabus
Strengthening weak concepts
Completing practice papers
Maintaining an error log
Improving problem-solving habits
One Week Before the IMC
Focus on:
Reviewing common mistakes
Completing selected practice papers
Revising important concepts
Practising the online test environment
Checking technical requirements
The Day Before
Avoid trying to learn a large amount of new material.
Instead:
Check the test instructions.
Confirm the computer and internet connection.
Prepare permitted stationery.
Confirm the test window.
Make sure the student knows the login details.
Get adequate rest.
Good preparation includes knowing when to stop studying.
15. Understand the 48-Hour Test Window
For the current November–December 2026 Two-Round Open Challenge schedule, the IMC provides a 48-hour testing window for each round.
The purpose of this window is to accommodate students across different time zones and other commitments.
However, the existence of a 48-hour window does not mean students should ignore the official schedule. The dates are fixed, and the IMC states that the exam cannot simply be rescheduled outside the designated window.
Check the official schedule before making your test-day plan.
16. Know What to Do If a Technical Problem Occurs
Technical problems can happen even when students prepare carefully.
The IMC advises participants to contact its support team promptly during the relevant test window if they experience a technical problem.
Do not wait until several days later if something goes wrong during the test.
Keep the official IMC support details accessible before starting the examination.
If a student believes there is a technical problem, follow the procedure provided in the current IMC instructions rather than attempting to solve the situation independently in a way that could interfere with the test.
17. Review the Student's Score Report Afterwards
Preparation does not end when the test is submitted.
The IMC provides an Enhanced Score Report intended to help students and parents understand performance in comparison with the test, students in the country and students internationally, as well as the top-performing group.
Use the report as feedback.
Instead of asking only, "What was my score?", ask:
Which areas were strong?
Which concepts need more practice?
How did the student perform relative to the broader participant group?
Were mistakes concentrated in particular areas?
What should be improved before the next challenge?
This approach makes the International Maths Challenge part of a longer mathematical learning journey rather than a single test.
Printable IMC Preparation Checklist
Before the challenge, make sure the student can tick these boxes:
Mathematics Preparation
☐ Read the current IMC syllabus
☐ Review grade-level mathematical concepts
☐ Identify weak areas
☐ Practise unfamiliar problem types
☐ Complete official IMC practice papers
☐ Review every important mistake
☐ Maintain an error log
☐ Practise under the official time limit
☐ Develop a question-navigation strategy
Competition Preparation
☐ Confirm the correct IMC grade
☐ Check the current challenge format
☐ Check the latest schedule
☐ Understand the scoring structure
☐ Read the test-day instructions
☐ Understand the proctoring requirements
Technical Preparation
☐ Desktop or laptop ready
☐ Camera working
☐ Microphone working
☐ Stable internet connection
☐ Correct login details available
☐ Suitable testing environment prepared
☐ Required identification submitted as instructed
Test-Day Preparation
☐ Pens/pencils ready
☐ Eraser ready
☐ Scratch paper available
☐ Calculator removed
☐ Water available if needed
☐ Notifications and distractions removed
☐ Student understands the rules
☐ Student is rested and ready
Final Thoughts
Successful IMC preparation is not about studying continuously or trying to memorise every possible mathematical trick.
It is about building strong fundamentals, practising unfamiliar problems, learning from mistakes and becoming comfortable with the actual competition environment.
The most useful preparation is also the most practical: understand the current IMC syllabus, use the official practice resources, rehearse the test format, prepare the technology, and read the latest test-day instructions carefully.
Most importantly, encourage students to approach the International Maths Challenge as an opportunity to practise mathematical thinking. A competition can provide a valuable experience of applying classroom knowledge to new problems, working independently and reflecting on areas for improvement.
For the latest eligibility requirements, schedule, syllabus, test format and preparation information, always check the official International Maths Challenge website before the competition.
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