Math Competitions

Drop-In Practice for Math Competitions
Exposure to Non-Standard Problem-Solving 
Offered in Months Prior to Math Competitions
No Commitment
Necessary

Math Competition Practice

EMC workshops expose students to the non-standard challenges of math competitions in an informal, supportive, small-group environment. Just like the competitions themselves, our workshops are a chance for students to take stock of their abilities. While students are not required to participate in competitions, after our workshops, they often decide to do so!

Why Math Competitions?

Competitions like Noetic and Math Kangaroo are nothing like the standardized achievement tests. Their challenges are unexpected and fun. They contain problems that stretch the mind, present novel opportunities to apply math skills and math thinking, and allow students to use authentic problem-solving strategies.

Math Competion Workshops

Noetic & Math Kangaroo
AMC8

Noetic Math and Math Kangaroo Competition Prep Workshops

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What to expect

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Before class:

  • Prior to the workshop students receive a unique full length practice test designed by our teachers in the style of the nearest upcoming competition.
  • Students complete the problems and come to class armed with questions.
important:
We ask parents not to help their kids with these problems (as opposed to regular homework).  It’s crucial that children read and attempt the problems on their own. This allows them to learn that solving complex problems takes time, and it is NORMAL if the answer is not immediately obvious.  Making mistakes and not getting the answer right away is NORMAL and part of the learning process.

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During Class:

Workshops are 1.5 hours long

  • First 40 minutes we analyze take-home problems (the ones that caused difficulties).
  • Next half hour, we study completely new problems, different methods for solving them, and discuss strategies.
  • Final 20 minutes, we arrange a mini-test simulation: the teacher sets a timer, gives 3-4 problems, and has the children submit their answers independently.

As the experience of past years has taught us, 1.5 hours fly by very quickly.

books and other materials:
We ask students to come to class prepared to work with a charged laptop, notebook, pencils and erasers.
No book purchase is required for the these workshops.  EMC will provide all study materials and practice tests.

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Training and outcomes beyond competition results:

Low-stakes test: the cost of making a mistake is small, and the level of stress is minimal, yet the situation still simulates competition conditions. This is crucial – it allows students to get used to working under time restrictions, and teaches them to be ready and clear-headed at an important moment.

Move away from drills and mechanical algorithms; instead, learn how to solve challenging problems that often have an elegant solution!

Expose your student to a variety of non-standard, non-trivial puzzles and problems often not taught in schools.

Learn test-taking strategies that can be applied to all tests!

Meet other like-minded students who enjoy learning math!

Check our AMC8 Prep Course too!

Course times and registration

Please select a time and date below to register

Please select a desired class:
Grades 1-2
Grades 3-4
Grades 5-6
Grades 7-8
September
NOETIC Prep
October
NOETIC Prep
January
Kangaroo Prep
February
Kangaroo Prep
March
NOETIC/Kangaroo
September
NOETIC Prep
October
NOETIC Prep
January
Kangaroo Prep
February
Kangaroo Prep
March
NOETIC/Kangaroo
September
NOETIC Prep
October
NOETIC Prep
January
Kangaroo Prep
February
Kangaroo Prep
March
NOETIC/Kangaroo
September
NOETIC Prep
October
NOETIC Prep
January
Kangaroo Prep
February
Kangaroo Prep
March
NOETIC/Kangaroo

  • Initially, select the the workshop based on your child's grade level - this is the level at which they be competing.

  • Workshops are grouped in sets of 4.  Register to any number of desired sets. Discount is available for current EMC students.
    Please select one day - Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat, or Sun classes in each set - lessons held on the same week repeat

  • There are no refunds for missed lessons, however, make-ups and movement between groups is easy.

  • You can schedule make-ups in any of the available workshops, during any of the following months with prior arrangement.  Please give us 24 hr notice.

$50 per weekly class

AMC 8 Preparation Course

No AMC8 Prep Classes are scheduled for the 23/24 school year. If you would like for us to help your child prepare - please send an email to info@engagingmathcircles.com

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Course Description

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The material covered on the AMC 8 includes topics from a typical middle school mathematics curriculum. Possible topics include but are not limited to: counting and probability, estimation, proportional reasoning, elementary geometry including the Pythagorean Theorem, spatial visualization, everyday applications, and reading and interpreting graphs and tables. In addition some of the later questions may involve linear or quadratic functions and equations, coordinate geometry, and other topics traditionally covered in a beginning algebra course.

This AMC 8 Prep Course course will use the The Art of Problem Solving, Volume 1: the Basics book.

Art of Problem Solving is widely used by students preparing for mathematics competitions with the emphasis on learning and understanding methods rather than memorizing formulas and enables students to solve large classes of problems beyond those presented in the book.

From over 500 problems presented in the book, EMC teachers have carefully curated and designed a curriculum that will take students through the topics covered by the AMC8 competition.  We will explore methodology and approaches for solving various types of non standard problems, and apply and practice those skills throughout the lessons.

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books and other materials:

We ask students to come to class prepared to work and should have access to: Ruler, Protractor, Compass, Calculator (to check your work only) Paper, Pencils and Erasers, Colored pencils or markers, reliable internet connection and a fully charged digital device

This course will use the The Art of Problem Solving, Volume 1: the Basics book.  Digital e-book recommended ($47). (https://artofproblemsolving.com/store/book/aops-vol1-ebook).

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Check our Noetic & Math Kangaroo Prep Workshops too!

Course times and registration

No AMC8 Prep Classes are scheduled for the 23/24 school year. If you would like for us to help your child prepare - please send us an email: info@engagingmathcircles.com

  • EMC will bill for the class monthly at the begining of each month, based on the number of lessons held in that particular month, at a rate of $50 per lesson

  • Commitment: Please treat this as a class. This is not a drop in workshop. You can start later and drop out at any time.  One-week notice is required for dropping.

  • If you need to miss a class, credit for the missed class will be applied to your EMC account  with prior arrangement only.  Please give at least 48 hr notice - this helps us with planning and respecting our teachers' time.

$50 per weekly class

Competitions we prepare for:

Math Kangaroo

International math competition open to all students in grades 1 - 12, but particularly popular among elementary school students.   Math Kangaroo offers a variety of non-standard problems that serve as a great introduction to the world of math competitions for young students.

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Contest Date: Online. March 23rd, 2024 at 2:00pm PST.

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Test Format: Online. 75 Minute multiple choice test.  24 questions for students in grades 1-4. 30 questions for students in grades 5 and up

For the 2023 MK competition EMC is registered as an ONLINE testing center.  Students will all login at the same time and EMC teachers will proctor the test to ensure academic integrity.  

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Registration: Register directly with Math Kangaroo using the EMC invitation code.  Individual participation is not proctored and does not come with official rankings or gifts/awards.

To prepare: Math Kangaroo Prep Workshops

Noetic Learning Math Contest

Noetic Learning Math Contest (NLMC) is a semiannual problem-solving contest for elementary and middle school students. The goal of the contest is to develop students' problem-solving skills, to encourage their interest in math, and to inspire them to excel in math.  NLMC contest is available for students in grades 2-8.

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Fall Contest Dates: November 9th - 22nd, 2023

Spring Contest Dates: April 4th-18th, 2024

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Test Format: Online. 50 minutes free response test. 20 questions.  Students can login anytime during the testing window.  Parent/guardian proctors the test to ensure academic integrity.

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Registration:   All EMC students are invited to join our NOETIC team free of charge.  Please fill out the registration form sent to you by the deadline.

Reach out if you your child is not enrolled and you would still like for them to join our team.

To prepare: Noetic Prep Workshops

AMC 8

The AMC 8 is multiple choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development of problem-solving skills. The AMC 8 provides an opportunity for middle school students to develop positive attitudes towards analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers. Students apply classroom skills to unique problem-solving challenges in a low-stress and friendly environment.

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Contest Date: January 17, 2023 - January 23, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET.

Please check with your Competition Manager / Testing Site for exact test date & time

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Test Format:  In-Person.  25-question, 40-minute, multiple choice examination.

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Registration:  As AMC8 does not allow online testing you will need to find an in-person testing center near you (some universities provide this service).

You can find a list of AMC8 Higher Education Sites here. Contact the Competition Manager for the site nearest you to arrange for your student's participation.

 

If you live in the San Jose / Bay Area, please let us know ASAP if you would like to join a team--we may be able to host a team for in-person testing here!‍

To prepare: AMC8 Prep Course

EMC students' recent accomplishments:

In the Fall 2022 NOETIC Competition, over 80 students participated as part of the EMC team.

Keys to success

It is rare that a student does well on a competition without practice.

Working under pressure, solving non standard problems, and not being afraid of what seem to be impossible problems at first, are all trainable skills!
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Practice and perseverance are the building blocks for every accomplishment.

I think that working with a personal tutor is less effective than in a small group. Children need not just knowledge but also socialization and an environment conducive to learning. My daughter (9 years) took the summer Fun Math course at EMC. There were 5 people in her group and she had a fun teacher. I heard them laugh. They laughed - during a math class! I am happy with the results, it turned out to be a great alternative to summer camp.

Joyce Chu

We got unlucky with our school teacher, and Tom lost all interest in math during the year. I’m glad we found EMC for the summer! The interest came back, and excitement, and sparks in Tom’s eyes. He made friends in class, math enthusiasts like him. I recommend!

Yuliia Spivak

Summer math classes don’t sound so scary if it’s taught in a fun, playful way like EMC does it in their summer program. Had to convince my son to attend the first lesson but he joined the Zoom for the second one on his own) That’s a good indicator - thank you, EMC! We really liked Andy - he is a great teacher!

Meghna Agarwal

More EMC Programs

Academic Year Program

This intensive academic program welcomes students year-round and remains flexible to accommodate the progress of each individual student.

Learn more

Summer
Programs

Our Summer Fun and Summer Competition programs are designed to work together or separately to keep students engaged throughout the summer.

Learn more

Custom
Programs

We can build custom programs for individual students that need one-on-one instruction and small groups of friends that want to learn math together.

Learn more

Events

We host events to support and strengthen the EMC community, and encourage social interactions among our students.

Learn more

Sign your child up today and see
their love of math blossom!

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