Math contests can offer students much more than a score or award. They challenge children to recognize patterns, reason creatively, solve unfamiliar problems, communicate their thinking and persevere when the answer is not immediately obvious. Research on mathematically gifted students emphasizes the importance of developing deeper mathematical reasoning and problem-solving abilities alongside strong foundational knowledge [1,2].
For parents searching for math contest preparation in Canada, the question is: how can you help your child prepare without turning mathematics into a source of pressure?
1. Build Strong Mathematical Foundations
Successful contest preparation starts with fundamentals. Before tackling increasingly difficult competition problems, students need confidence with numbers, operations, algebraic thinking, geometry and problem solving.
At MathProject, preparation begins with a free written and verbal assessment. Teachers use the results to identify learning gaps and create a customized study plan. This means students can work on the concepts they actually need rather than simply completing generic contest worksheets.
Our K–8 curriculum strengthens foundational mathematics while progressively extending students into more advanced problem solving, with an emphasis on number sense, reasoning, word problems and mathematical communication. Students learn to show their work and explain how they reached an answer—not simply provide the final answer.
2. Teach Children How to Think Through Math Word Problems
Math competition questions often look very different from routine classroom exercises. Students must determine which strategy to use, recognize relationships and sometimes try several approaches before finding a solution. Research on mathematics competitions highlights their distinctive problem-solving demands [2].
At MathProject we use the GRASS problem-solving method—Given, Required, Application, Solve and Statement— as one of our signature approaches to solving word problems, alongside other problem-solving strategies, which gives students a structured way to approach complex problems by organizing information and working through word problems systematically.
Students learn to identify the information given, determine what the question requires, identify the mathematical concept or application needed, solve the problem, and finish with a clear statement answering the question. By breaking a word problem into clearly defined stages, students learn to improve their mathematical thinking and problem solving habits.
This develops reasoning, organization and mathematical communication while helping students become more comfortable with unfamiliar questions.
3. Build Confidence, Accuracy, and Speed with Challenging Math
A difficult contest problem should become an opportunity to learn—not evidence that a child is “bad at math.”
Research suggests that mathematics-specific growth-mindset interventions can positively influence students’ beliefs and learning experiences, while broader evidence also emphasizes the importance of classroom practices alongside mindset messaging [3,4].
MathProject’s 85% mastery standard encourages students to strive for excellence, learn from mistakes and redo work when necessary, and try again. This approach helps students become more comfortable with challenging problems and develop the persistence needed for contest mathematics.
As students gain confidence, they should also gradually develop accuracy and speed. Contest preparation is not simply about finding the correct answer; students need to learn how to work efficiently under time constraints, allocate their time appropriately, recognize when to move on from a difficult question, and leave enough time to recheck their work.
These skills: problem solving, accuracy, time management, and efficient test-taking, work together. With practice, students can become both more confident when facing challenging problems and more effective at solving them within the time available.
4. Practice Consistently with Past Contest Questions and Feedback
Effective math contest preparation is not about cramming the week before a competition. Students benefit from regular, purposeful practice and timely feedback.
MathProject’s regular programming develops the mathematical foundation, reasoning, problem-solving, accuracy, speed, and test-taking skills that have enabled students to perform strongly in national mathematics contests.
MathProject combines weekly instructional sessions with homework, assessments and Math Aid Hours four evenings a week, giving students additional opportunities to ask teachers questions about MathProject, school mathematics, or actual past contest questions.
For students who demonstrate mastery and/or an interest in math contests, this regular programming can be extended to include additional contest-specific practice. Students may work on past contest questions, review challenging problems with their teachers during regular sessions, and use Math Aid Hours for additional contest-preparation support. This allows students to build on the strong mathematical foundation developed through their regular MathProject program while becoming more familiar with contest-style questions. This personalized approach allows valuable teaching time to focus on the student’s actual needs.
5. Choose the Right Math Contests
Choosing the right mathematics competition is an important part of preparing for success. The best contest depends on a student’s grade, mathematical readiness, interests, and goals. A younger student may benefit from an accessible problem-solving competition such as Math Kangaroo or the CJMC, while students looking for more challenging problems may eventually explore contests such as the COMC or Waterloo’s senior-level contests.
Parents and students do not need to navigate these options alone. Our Math Contests page provides an overview of the competitions supported by MathProject, along with key information to help families identify opportunities that are appropriate for their student.
For students interested in advanced mathematics, contests can also provide a progression toward increasingly challenging problem solving and, for some students, the Canadian mathematical Olympiad pathway. The appropriate competition, however, depends on a student’s grade, mathematical readiness, interests and long-term goals.
MathProject has been preparing students for mathematics competitions since 2010. Contest preparation can be part of a broader pathway toward advanced mathematics, gifted programs and future university opportunities.
Why Choose MathProject for Math Contest Preparation?
Math contest success is not built through last-minute drilling. It grows from strong foundations, strategic problem solving, accuracy and efficiency, perseverance, and confidence.
MathProject combines assessment-driven individualized learning with a rigorous K–8 curriculum, structured practice, small-group instruction, targeted feedback, and ongoing testing. One-on-one options are also available when appropriate.
Over the years, MathProject students have represented their schools in national mathematics contests, with some placing and winning medals for their schools, while others have earned distinctions in University of Waterloo contests year after year.
Most importantly, our goal goes beyond helping a child perform well in a contest. We want students to become independent, critical thinkers who can eventually stand on their own two feet—young mathematicians who approach unfamiliar problems with confidence, persistence, and curiosity.
For parents considering math contest preparation in Canada, the first step is understanding where your child is today. A MathProject free assessment can identify strengths, learning gaps and the appropriate path toward contest readiness.
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References
- Singer, F. M., Sheffield, L. J., Freiman, V., & Brandl, M. (2016). Research on and activities for mathematically gifted students. In G. Kaiser (Ed.), ICME-13 topical surveys (pp. 1–21). Springer.
- Kontorovich, I. (2020). Problem-posing triggers or where do mathematics competition problems come from? Educational Studies in Mathematics, 105, 389–406.
- Bui, P., Pongsakdi, N., McMullen, J., Lehtinen, E., & Hannula-Sormunen, M. (2023). A systematic review of mindset interventions in mathematics classrooms: What works and what does not? Educational Research Review, 40, 100554.
- Huang, M. (2025). How growth mindset reduces math anxiety across cultures: Mediating roles of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in PISA 2022. Acta Psychologica, 261, 105902.
- Canadian Mathematical Society. (2026). Competitions. Canadian Mathematical Society
- University of Waterloo, Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing. (2026). Mathematics and computing contests. CEMC Mathematics and Computing Contests
