Go for Gold in Maths Challenges (ages 10-13)
Learn all the topics you'll need to get Bronze, Silver or Gold in the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge and similar contests around the world.
After taking this course you'll have the best chance of earning a certificate and even qualifying for the follow on rounds. You'll also improve your problem solving skills and have fun along the way!
What is the Junior Maths Challenge?
The UKMT Junior Mathematical Challenge is a multiple choice maths competition, with 25 questions, each with 5 options labelled A, B, C, D and E.
Students who do well in the challenge are awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates and the best performing students are invited to take the follow-on Kangaroo and Olympiad rounds.
This video gives an overview of the JMC. You can also view a page here with past papers, certificate boundaries and more information.
FREE COURSE
Get Ready for the Junior Maths Challenge
In this free course you can practise problems from real past papers with video hints and solutions.
Small Group Zoom Classes to Prepare for the JMC
In addition to the self-paced courses above, you can also sign up for small group Zoom classes to prepare. For more information, including dates and prices, click the button below.
What score gets you Gold, Silver and Bronze in the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge?
The exact boundaries vary from year to year. This video talks a lot more about the scoring and roughly where the boundaries usually are. The number of people who get certificates each year has increased slightly since I made this video (50% instead of 40%) and there are now no penalties for guessing answers in the Junior Challenge.
You can see an up to date table of past grade boundaries by clicking the button below.
Qualified for the Kangaroo or Olympiad?
If you've qualified for the Kangaroo and Olympiad rounds or have made a discretionary entry then you can prepare with this free course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who takes the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge?
The UKMT Junior Mathematical Challenge is usually taken by students in Years 7 and 8 in England and Wales, which corresponds to Years 8 and 9 in Northern Ireland or S1 and S2 in Scotland, but younger students can also take the challenge. Students in equivalent year groups around the world also take the Junior Maths Challenge. These year groups usually correspond to students aged between 11 and 13, but there is no lower limit on the age students can participate.
The UKMT Junior Maths Challenge is is usually considered an ‘enrichment’ activity and schools often offer the competition to their more enthusiastic or high-performing students. A range of students can benefit from taking the challenge, and the earlier questions are always made to be more accessible so that it is not just the top students who will enjoy the Junior Maths Challenge!
When does the JMC take place?
The Junior Mathematical Challenge usually takes place in April, a couple of weeks after the Easter holidays. The exact date varies from year to year. I keep a list of upcoming maths challenge dates here or you can also see the date of the next JMC at the UKMT website here.
How is the JMC marked?
The UKMT Junior Maths Challenge is marked automatically. Paper entries are passed through a machine that scans the papers and checks students multiple choice answers so it is very important that students follow the instructions on the answer paper carefully and only enter one answer for each question. Students often keep a note of their answers on rough paper and enter their answers on the answer sheet at the end as it can be hard to erase answers fully if they want to change their answers. Students taking the challenge online do not have this problem of course where the marking is fully automated and answers are chosen on the screen.
Where can I find past papers for the JMC?
The free Mathsaurus course ‘Get Ready for the Junior Maths Challenge’ contains many years of past Junior Maths Challenge questions, each with video hints and solutions to help you practise and prepare. Further past papers can be found at the page here or at the UKMT website here.
Can I enter the follow on rounds if I don’t meet the qualification threshold or missed the JMC?
I'm home schooled or my school won't let me take the JMC - what can I do?
You can only take the JMC at a registered UKMT centre - see the video here for more advice about what you can do in this situation.
Do you offer any live classes to prepare for the JMC?
Yes! As well as making the courses here I often teach small group lessons via Zoom to prepare for maths challenges at all levels, including the Junior Maths Challenge. If you would prefer to work with me 1-1 you can see more information and book here.