Math Kangaroo is an international math contest where students around the world showcase their mathematical skills. What distinguishes the math contests in the United States, Singapore, and China? And which one would best benefit your child?
Check out this beginner guide to learn about the syllabus, pricing, important dates, format and scoring systems of Math Kangaroo competitions in these countries. Stay tuned for the next article in this series for a more detailed comparison.
What is Math Kangaroo?
Quick facts: Mathematic Kangaroo started in Australia in the 1980s and gained popularity in France in 1991. Now, it’s one of the biggest math competitions globally, with over 6 million participants from 103 countries in 2023.
Math Kangaroo is a multiple-choice math contest that focuses on logical thinking and creative problem-solving. Designed to spark a passion for math among students from grade 1 to grade 12, the problems cover various topics and often include fun facts and stories to make math enjoyable and promote discussions. With its unique structure and global reach, Math Kangaroo holds a prominent place in the educational calendar.
Why Join Math Kangaroo?
- Develop Practical Math Skills: Math Kangaroo helps children develop mathematical thinking, apply math concepts and skills to understand, analyze, and creatively solve problems, enhancing their logical thinking.
- Inspiring Interest in Mathematics: With real-life, relatable scenarios, Math Kangaroo sparks interest in math, motivating children to explore and apply math.
- International Prestige: As a top global math competition for youth, its recognition can boost chances for prestigious universities admissions.
- For All Ages and Skill Levels: Math Kangaroo offers various levels to match different ages and abilities, making it less intimidating than other math competitions.
Math Kangaroo 2024: United States, Singapore, and China Overview
The table below sums up the key information about Math Kangaroo competitions in the United States, Singapore, and China. Click on each country name for more detailed specifics.
| Feature | United States | Singapore | China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration Deadline | December 15, 2023; Late registration until December 31, 2023 | Varies; Check official website | March 15, 2024 |
| Register via | In-person Center (Public) In-Person or Online Center Virtual Center (unproctored center) | SIMCC member schools (school candidates); SMKC website (private candidates) | ASEEDER partnering schools; Agencies like Spark Education |
| Registration Fee | USD $21 (Regular), USD $35 (Late) | SGD $17 (School Candidates) | ￥160 (via parterning schools, another ￥298 for past papers); ￥299 (via agencies like Spark Education, past paper fees included) |
| Exam Date | March 22, 2024 | April 13, 2024 for private candidates; between April 1and April 19, 2024 for school candidates | March 30, 2024 |
| Language | English | English | Chinese and English |
| Exam Duration | 75 minutes | 90 minutes | 75 minutes |
| Format | Multiple-choice | ||
| Question Count | 24 questions for grades 1-4 and 30 questions for grades 5-12 | ||
| Question Point Value | 1/3 – 3 points each, 1/3 – 4 points each, 1/3 – 5 points each | ||
| Levels/Grades | Grades 1-12 | ||
| Full Score | 96 at grades 1-4, and 120 at grades 5-12 | 120 at grades 1-4, and 150 at grades 5-12 | |
| Scoring | no points taken away for answering questions incorrectly | 1 point will be deducted for wrong answers, and no points will be deducted for unanswered questions. (24 bonus points for grades 1 to 4 and 30 bonus points for grades 5 to 12 to ensure no negative socres) | |
Taken from the official website of each respective country. Refer to the official Association Kangourou sans Frontières website for the full list of participating countries and regions.
Math Kangaroo Syllabus
Other than the registration deadlines, fees, and exam dates, Math Kangaroo’s syllabus for each grade level doesn’t change much from country to country. This means that no matter where you take the test, you’ll face similar topics and challenges.
Grade 1 & 2
- Simple arithmetic operations with 1 and 2 digit number
- Distinguishing simple figures
- Time, clock, number of days in a week
- Number of months in a year
Grade 3 & 4
- Simple arithmetic operations with 1, 2, 3 and 4 digit numbers
- Recognizing geometric figures
- A magic square with a sum of 15
- Time, clock, number of days in a week, number of months in a year
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
- Intersection of sets
- Perimeter and area of a square, a rectangle
Grade 5 & 6
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
- Magic squares
- Fractions and decimals
- Clock, a calendar
- Perimeter of a polygon, area of a rectangle and a triangle
- Mathematical logic
- Lines and rays on a surface
- A cube, a rectangular solid
- Acute, right, and obtuse angles
Grade 7 & 8
- Operations on rational numbers
- Powers of natural numbers
- Acute, right, and obtuse angles
- Equations, inequalities and systems of linear equations
- Area of a rectangle, a triangle and a circle
- Lines and rays on a surface
- Volume and surface area of geometric figures
- Supplementary angles, sum of angles in a triangle and in a quadrilateral
- Mathematical logic
Grade 9 & 10
- Operations on real numbers
- Functions, polynomials, equations, inequalities
- Sequences of numbers
- Elements of combinatorics
- Synthetic & analytic plane geometry
Grade 11 & 12
- Operations on real numbers
- Functions, polynomials, equations, inequalities
- Sequences of numbers
- Elements of combinatorics
- Synthetic & analytic plane geometry
Spark Education’s Exclusive Math Kangaroo Course: Elevating Your Child’s Mathematical Journey
Spark Education presents an online Math Kangaroo course tailored for grades 1 to 6. The course includes an introductory session followed by 24 intensive lessons (20 minutes each) to cover all essential and advanced topics. With just a desktop, tablet, or smartphone, your child can embark on their Math Kangaroo journey anytime, anywhere.
Curriculum That Makes a Difference
The curriculum covers Calculation, Geometry, Application, Combinations, Common Mistakes, and Challenging Problems, in line with the Math Kangaroo syllabuses. The course also adopts a tiered learning approach to ensure a well-rounded understanding and exposure to math concepts and skills crucial for excelling in the Math Kangaroo competition.
Expert Guidance at Your Doorstep
Our Spark Math instructors bring extensive knowledge, experience, and innovative teaching methods to coach and inspire young minds. They undergo rigorous screening and continuous training to uphold our high standards, ensuring your child receives top-notch education based on proven experience and exemplary achievements.
Important Considerations for Prospective Students
Our program is tailored for bilingual learners, primarily conducted in Chinese with substantial English content. It’s important for non-native Chinese speakers or those with limited proficiency to consider the primary language of instruction to meet your child’s needs and preferences.
Exclusive Perks from Spark Education
Students enrolling in Math Kangaroo through our partnership with ASEEDER, the official representative of Math Kangaroo in China, enjoy the following benefits. This includes a ten-year past Math Kangaroo paper set, specialized solution guides, pre-competition practice tests, updates on the competition, and dedicated course consultants for any inquiries. This offer is open to students worldwide, with scores tallied within the China region.
Participating in Math Kangaroo is more than just competing; it’s a journey of mathematical exploration and excellence. With Spark Education’s tailored courses and expert guidance, your child is set on a path to success, not just in Math Kangaroo but also in their academic pursuits as a whole. Join us in this exciting endeavor and watch your child’s potential in mathematics unfold.
