Alex Excels at Maths, Once again Reaching the Cayley Olympiad

Hardworking J4 pupil, Alex, recently took part in the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge. This national competition is a 60-minute, multiple-choice paper written for pupils in Year 11 or below. Alex is the first pupil at 8-13 to take part in this competition which encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems. The problems on the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge are designed to stretch pupils. The competition paper is written by the UK Mathematics Trust and is an excellent way of promoting a love of problem solving.

Alex fully embraced the challenge with gusto, unaware he would score so highly. Each correct answer secures either 5 or 6 marks whilst incorrect answers lead to a penalty of either 1 or 2 marks being deducted. The level of the competition is so challenging that this year a score of 42+ equated to a bronze award, 55+ secured a silver and 71+ was gold. Alex scored a fantastic 118 in total, not only securing a Gold certificate and a Best-in-School accolade, but by scoring 95+ marks he has also been invited to participate in the follow-on round for pupils in Year 9 and below, the coveted Cayley Olympiad. 

Alex has time to prepare for the next stage of the competition which takes place on Thursday 16 March. Approximately 1,500 of the very highest performers in the IMC are invited to take part in either the Cayley, Hamilton or Maclaurin Olympiads and we are delighted that Alex will be one of them. The Cayley Olympiad paper is a 2-hour challenge consisting of six problems requiring full written solutions. Only 600 qualifying students from the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge take part in this Olympiad. The follow-on round will no doubt be a stimulating and rewarding experience for Alex, as it has been designed to stretch high-attaining young people.

We are so proud of Alex for all of his hard work - good luck in the Cayley Olympiad. Watch this space.