Math Olympiad After GEP: Nurturing Potential Without Following the Crowd

张涛老师

Math Olympiad After GEP: Nurturing Potential Without Following the Crowd

Hi everyone, I’m Teacher Boqian. Every year, just after theGEP exams, I hear one question from parents again and again: “Should my child be learning Math Olympiad?”

Parents of GEP-qualified children often wonder: Will school math suddenly get much harder? Can my child keep up? Could Olympiad math help bridge the gap?

Parents of children who didn’t make it into GEP worry too—they’re concerned their child might fall behind, and wonder if Olympiad math could strengthen their logical thinking.

I truly understand these concerns. But before making a decision, it’s helpful to step back and look at some common misunderstandings.

Part 1: Three Common Myths About Math Olympiad

Myth 1: Olympiad Math Is Just Advanced Topics
In reality, most primary-level Olympiad math stays within the standard syllabus—it just presents problems in unconventional ways. It tests a child’s ability to apply what they’ve learned in unfamiliar situations, not to study ahead.

Take the problem mentioned earlier. Solving it with similar triangles or algebra would be quite messy. But if you rotate the triangle, the shaded area becomes a simple right-angled triangle—and the answer becomes clear.

Olympiad math isn’t about learning more advanced concepts.It’s about using existing knowledge to solve more complex problems.

Myth 2: Olympiad Math Is Only for GEP Students
Many believe Olympiad training is only suitable for GEP students, and that others won’t keep up. That’s not quite right.

GEP tests both English and math ability. Not being selected doesn’t necessarily mean a child is weak in math. Some may simply be less strong in language comprehension or expression—while their logical thinking and number sense are still sharp.

I’ve taught many non-GEP students who, through systematic Olympiad training, went on to win gold in national competitions.

The key isn’t whether a child is in GEP, but whether they’re given the right methods to develop their thinking.

The real value of Olympiad math isn’t in “selecting geniuses,” but in training children to think more deeply and analytically through challenging problems. Any child who enjoys thinking and a good challenge can benefit from Olympiad math.

Myth 3: The Only Goal Is Winning Awards or DSA
Awards are a nice bonus, but they’re not the main point. The long-term value lies in the thinking habits children develop—learning to analyze, reflect, and summarize, and building their own learning methods.

This kind of ability will influence a child’s academic growth and future competitiveness far more than any trophy.

Part 2: What Does Singapore Primary Math Olympiad Involve?

Think of learning Olympiad math like climbing a mountain.

1. P1–P2 is the gentle foothill—the “Light Olympiad” stage focused on sparking interest and building number sense through puzzles, number patterns, and basic shapes.

Hands-on games like the Tower of Hanoi let children discover the joy of mathematics, naturally inspiring them to explore and think deeper.

2. P3 is the start of the ascent—a transition from intuitive play to logical reasoning, introducing classic problem types and basic thinking strategies.

With a method like grouping, it's all about learning to sortout the information in the problem clearly.

3. P4–P6 is the real climb—the “True Olympiad” stagewith systematic learning across seven key areas and more complex problems that test modeling and deeper understanding.

The problems grow in complexity, going beyond core conceptsto assess a child's mathematical modeling skills.

Part 3: What’s the Real Value of Learning Olympiad Math?

1. Preparation for Local Competitions & DSA
Mainstream competitions like NMOS, RMO, and APMOPS align closely with the sevencore modules. Good results can support DSA applications.

Coverage of 7 Modules in NMOS

Coverage of 7 Modules in RMO

Coverage of 7 Modules in APMOPS

2. Deeper Thinking Skills
Olympiad problems often require multi-angle thinking and creative approaches—not just formula application. This develops logical analysis,abstract reasoning, and mental flexibility.

For this P4 school problem, recognizing the equality of corresponding angles after folding leads directly to the answer.

This Olympiad problem, however, demands more than just knowing the properties; it requires multi-stage reasoning and flexible application of concepts through angle conversion to arrive at the solution.

3. Building Strong Study Habits
Beyond content, Olympiad training encourages habits like:

Reviewing mistakes

After every class, we have our students go over the problems they got wrong and learn from them through regular review.

Writing clear, logical steps

In class, we require students to write out each step clearly. This not only makes it easier to check their work but also fosters a habit of rigorous logical thinking.

Annotatingquestions to grasp key details

We guide students to mark key words as they read through aproblem. This helps them learn to identify the core of the question and avoid careless mistakes.

Part 4: A Sensible Approach—Three Steps Before Starting

Jumping straight into intensive classes or endless practiceisn’t the answer. Here’s a more thoughtful approach:

Step 1: Start with an honest assessment

For students who qualified for the GEP:

They can start by tackling the more challenging problems from the school's GEP supplementary materials. If these are handled comfortably, they can then progress to foundational Olympiad modules, such as logical reasoning and combinatorial counting.

For students who did not qualify for the GEP:
It's advisable to first solidify their grasp of advanced topics within the standard primary curriculum (such as the flexible application of fractions andratios). Once comfortable, they can transition to introductory Olympiad-style problems—like simple pattern recognition in shapes or basic counting—without rushing into competition-level questions, so as to avoid undermining their confidence.

Recommended resource:
To assess your child's readiness, you can use our centre's compiled “NMOS All-In-One P4 Practice”, or try the first 10 questions from past NMOS papers.These will help gauge the appropriate difficulty level to begin with.

Step 2: Focus on methods, not just answers

- Encourage explaining the reasoning behind solutions.

- Try different approaches to the same problem.

- Keep sessions short and consistent—15–20 minutes, several times a week.

Step 3: Proceed at the right pace

- If interested and ready, try beginner contests like SASMO or NMOS—without making awards the only goal.

- If struggling or reluctant, step back. Protect the child’s interest.

- Avoid classes that push secondary-level content or non-local curricula.

Closing Thoughts: Olympiad Math Is a Tool, Not a Measure of Worth

Every child learns at their own pace. The goal of Olympiad math isn’t to prove who’s smarter—it’s to help children think better.

For GEP students, it can be a mental accelerator, offeringdeeper challenges. But it’s not a must. Follow the child’s interest.

For others, it can be a spotlight on hidden strengths—a way to rediscover the joy of math and build confidence. The moment a child thinks,“I actually figured this out!” is what matters most.

Whether in GEP or not, what children really need in primary school isn’t to learn more or faster—it’s to develop their thinking and keep their curiosity alive. Olympiad math is just one way to help them do that. What truly matters is helping them find confidence in thinking and hold on to the love of learning.