Registration
The completed form must be emailed as an attachment to smssmo@nus.edu.sg before 31 Mar 2023.
Guide Series: Math Olympiads
A complete Guide for Math Olympiads and competitions in Singapore along with a list of Secondary school that DSA via Math.
Singapore Mathematical Olympiad
- Written By Klassbook Editorial Team
- Updated on October 28, 2023
Articles In this Guide
Singapore Mathematical Olympiad
The Singapore Mathematical Olympiad (SMO) holds the distinction of being the most extensive and oldest mathematics competition in Singapore. Its origins can be traced back to the mid-1950s when it began as the Inter-School Mathematical Competition. Over time, it evolved into the Singapore Secondary Schools Mathematics Competitions for the Secondary Section and later adopted the name Singapore Mathematical Olympiad in the late 1980s.
Finally, in 1995, it assumed its current title, the Singapore Mathematical Olympiads (Junior, Senior, and Open). With participation from students across the nation, the SMO attracts thousands of young minds each year.
SMO operates under the auspices of one of the world’s top universities, the National University of Singapore, which adds to the event’s credibility and prestige. Moreover, the competition is regularly hosted at the NUS complex building, providing participants with the fantastic opportunity to experience the atmosphere of one of the finest campuses worldwide. This setting can be truly inspiring and captivating, enhancing the overall appeal of the event to all those taking part.
Objective: Singapore Mathematical Olympiad
For nearly 70 years, the regularly held SMO events have played a significant role in advancing the field of science, particularly mathematics. Its enduring presence has substantially contributed to education and the nurturing of upcoming generations.
The objective of the Singapore Mathematical Olympiad 2023 (SMO 2023) is to test the ingenuity and mathematical problem-solving ability of the participants and to discover and encourage mathematical talents in secondary schools in Singapore.
Who is it for?
The SMO competition is primarily targeted towards secondary level and junior college students. However, the Open category stands apart as it allows participation without any age restrictions. In this category, students of all ages are welcome to compete and showcase their mathematical talents.
How can you participate?
If you’re thinking about joining the Singapore Mathematical Olympiad (SMO), it’s crucial to know that you can only take part through registering with your school. Based on the details provided on their website, it is not possible to participate as an independent candidate.
Categories
| Section | Eligible Participants | Age Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Section | Secondary 1 and Secondary 2 Student . | The Competition is open to all full time Express Course students who were born on or after 2 January 2009 and full time Normal(Academic)/(Technical) Course students who were born on or after 2 January 2008, and who have never attended any tertiary level educational institution on a full time basis. |
| Senior Section | Higher Secondary Student | The Competition is open to all full time Express Course students who were born on or after 2 January 2007 and full time Normal(Academic)/(Technical) Course students who were born on or after 2 January 2006, and who have never attended any tertiary level educational institution on a full time basis. |
| Open Section | The Competition is open to all full time students who have never attended any tertiary level educational institution on a full time basis. | No specific age restrictions |
Competition format
| Section | Round 1* | Round 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Section | Round 1 of the Competition will be a two-and-a-half hour written paper consisting of multiple choice and short questions. | Participants in the top 10% of round 1 of the competition will be invited to participate in round 2, which will be a three-hour written paper consisting of questions requiring full-length solutions. |
| Senior Section | Round 1 of the Competition will be a two-and-a-half hour written paper consisting of multiple choice and short questions. | Participants in the top 10% of round 1 of the competition will be invited to participate in round 2, which will be a four-hour written paper consisting of questions requiring full-length solutions. |
| Open Section | Round 1 of the Competition will be a two-and-a-half hour written paper consisting of short questions. | Selected participants of the competition will be invited to participate in round 2, which will be a four-hour written paper consisting of questions requiring full-length solutions. |
*All questions will carry equal weight.
The language of the Competition will be English.
Syllabus/ Subject Matter Focus
There is no fixed syllabus that Singapore Mathematical Olympiad participants are required to learn. However, before each competition, the organizers publish a list of questions that will be tested during the event. This allows participants to prepare adequately, ensuring that they are ready to tackle the specific topics and challenges that will be presented in the competition.
There will be a significant number of questions based on school mathematics syllabus in three competition
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Junior Section | The topics covered by the questions would normally be within the curriculum of Secondary One and Two mathematics education for the Express Course (or equivalently up to Secondary Three Normal (Academic) Course). |
| Senior Section | The topics covered by the questions would normally be within the curriculum of Secondary One to Four mathematics education. |
| Open Section | The topics covered by the questions would normally be within the curriculum of a pre-university education. |
Registration and time lines : SMO 2023
Students should register themselves for the Singapore Mathematical Olympiad via their respective schools.
Round 1
Junior: Tue 30 May 2023 (0930-1200)
Senior: Tue 30 May 2023 (0930-1200)
Open: Wed 31 May 2023 (0930-1200)
Round2
Junior: Sat 24 June 2023 (0900-1200)
Senior: Sat 24 June 2023 (0900-1300)
Open: Sat 1 July 2023 (0900-1300)
Prize and Award Recognition
Commencing from 2014, Singapore Mathematical Olympiad’s school ranking system transformed into a criteria-based system. Schools receive points based on the number of participants who registered and attempted the examination paper. Points are awarded based on the number of Gold, Silver, Bronze awards, and Honorable Mentions achieved by students from each school.
Accumulated points determine the Singapore Mathematical Olympiad School Award, reflecting the school’s overall performance and success in the competition.
School prizes awarded in the following order:
- Gold
- Silver
- Bronze
- Commendation
Individual winners in Junior, Senior, and Open categories receive certificates of recognition.
Of the participants in round 2, the one with the highest total score (round 1 & 2) will be the Winner of the Competition and will be awarded the Singapore Mathematical Society Prize (a cash prize). Cash prizes or book vouchers will also be awarded to participants whose total scores in both rounds are in the top thirty positions. When two or more participants tie for a position, the sum of the corresponding prizes will be shared equally among them..
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Find more information about SMO on organization Website
https://sms.math.nus.edu.sg/singapore-mathematical-olympiad-smo/
