本帖最后由 张涛老师 于 2025-8-5 17:28 编辑
How Crucial Is the RMO Result for Securing a Math DSA to Top Secondary Schools?
On the path to gaining admission to top secondary schools, excelling in a math competition can provide your child with unexpected advantages. The Raffles Mathematical Olympiad (RMO), known for its prestige and high level of difficulty, has become a key component in the Direct School Admission (DSA) selection process for Singapore’s elite schools.
In this article, we’ll uncover what many may not know about the RMO—its origins and purpose, its strong connection to DSA success, and how early preparation can give your child a crucial advantage.
Organizer of RMO: Raffles Institution (RI)
Founded in 1823, Raffles Institution (RI) is a premier pre-tertiary institution committed to nurturing students to excel in their diverse passions and pursuits. For mathematically talented students, RI offers The Euler Programme and the Raffles Academy of Mathematics—both of which provide an accelerated curriculum covering advanced mathematical topics through a problem-centric, inquiry-driven, and integrative approach to learning. In addition, RI conducts in-house training for the Singapore Mathematical Olympiad (SMO) to further develop students’ competitive problem-solving skills.
RI’s commitment to academic excellence is reflected in its students’ achievements on the global stage. At the 66th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in 2025, six students were selected to represent Singapore—remarkably, two of them were from Raffles Institution. One brought home a gold medal, while the other secured a silver, underscoring the school’s exceptional mathematics training and its consistent cultivation of world-class talent.
Overview of RMO
The Raffles Mathematical Olympiad (RMO) may not be widely recognized by name, but many parents are familiar with the RIPMWC—the Raffles Institution Primary Mathematics World Contest. Organized by the prestigious Raffles Institution, often referred to as the “Ivy League express,” RMO is known as the most challenging primary school math contest and one of the most prestigious mathematics competitions at the elementary level.
Established in 1996, the RMO aims to identify young mathematical talents with strong creative thinking and high-level problem-solving abilities. It also seeks to nurture students’ interest in mathematics and promote excellence in math education. Today, RMO is regarded as one of Singapore’s most prestigious and rigorous math competitions. With its rich history and strong academic reputation, it is considered one of the nation’s “Big Three” math contests—alongside the APMOPS and NMOS.
Grade Levels and Categories
RMO has two categories which include:
- Junior Category: Primary 4 to 5 students
- Open Category: Primary 6 students
The Junior group (P4-P5) and Open group (P6) use the same set of exam papers.
Exam Focus and Distinctive Features
Analysis of RMO past papers from 2014–2025 reveals a concentration on Number Theory, Calculation, and Geometry. RMO’s characteristics include high integration of topics, complex knowledge structure, and diverse question formats. The exam covers over 100 knowledge points, many of which are not taught in school but are key to solving problems.
The following questions demonstrate the differences in difficulty and thinking requirements between the 2019 NMOS and the 2025 RMO within the same category.
2019 NMOS: Calculation - Fraction Decomposition
2025 RMO: Calculation - Fraction Decomposition
Compared to NMOS, RMO questions are significantly more challenging, often involving complex algebraic expressions, deeper number theory, and advanced problem transformations. While NMOS problems like fraction decomposition follow more structured and recognisable patterns, RMO requires strong analytical skills to identify key features and apply theorems creatively—making it far more demanding, especially for students new to such abstract problem-solving.
RMO Rounds
The advancement rate from the first round (R1) to the second round (R2) of the Raffles Mathematical Olympiad (RMO) is approximately the top 2% of participants, or about 40 students per category. Successfully progressing from the first to the second round is a remarkable achievement that clearly demonstrates a student's outstanding mathematical ability and strong competitiveness.
Significance of RMO Awards
Students who achieve a High Distinction in the Raffles Mathematical Olympiad (RMO) are almost guaranteed an interview at Raffles Institution and enjoy a strong likelihood of admission. Those awarded Distinction also stand a good chance of being shortlisted and accepted. These accolades are clear indicators of strong academic ability and offer a significant edge in the school admission process.
Beyond Raffles Institution, achievements in RMO are highly valuable for students applying through the Direct School Admission (DSA) programme. As DSA selections often prioritise talent and potential in specific areas, a strong performance in RMO showcases a student’s exceptional mathematical aptitude and problem-solving skills. With RMO widely recognised for its rigour and prestige, it serves as a powerful credential in the highly competitive landscape of secondary school admissions.
Kangaroo Study’s Recent Achievements
Students attending Kangaroo Study courses have consistently achieved outstanding results in math competitions, demonstrating solid mathematical skills. 
2023: 25 participants, 11 advanced to Round 2 (44% success rate), including one student who won first place in the Open category Round 2.
2024: 4 students advanced to Junior Round 2 (about one-ninth of all Junior finalists); 9 students advanced to Open Round 2 (15% of all Open finalists).
Preparation Tips!
Early preparation can help build a strong foundation in problem-solving skills. Practicing past year papers and mock exams is a crucial part of RMO preparation, but it should be done strategically:
- Past Year Papers: Start by working through the past 10 years of RMO papers to gain familiarity with question types and difficulty levels.
- Re-practice the Same Papers: Reinforce your understanding, while also improving speed and accuracy.
- Mock Exams: Once the past year papers have been completed, move on to mock exams under timed conditions to simulate a real test environment and build exam stamina.
Kangaroo Study Resources and Activities
1. RMO Past Papers Click here to download all RMO past papers and solutions for free.
2. RMO Video Explanations
Click here to subscribe to our YouTube Channel dedicated for Maths Olympiad in Singapore.
Click here to view for step-by-step explanations of actual RMO questions. Feel free to watch and ask questions anytime for personalized explanations to help you excel in RMO!
3. Live Seminars and Workshops
We regularly conduct RMO-focused seminars, where students explore common question types, practise problem-solving under guidance, and learn exam techniques tailored to the RMO format.
Our plans for the rest of 2025 are as follows:
4. P4 and P5 Semester 2 Class Schedule
Our P4–P5 classes build strong problem-solving foundations that support students in Olympiad training. Click here to view our 2025 Semester 2 class schedule below:
5.Whatsapp Group
Join our Whatsapp Group for event updates and free study materials.
RMO is not just a tough competition but also a comprehensive assessment of students' mathematical ability, logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and overall mathematical literacy. Through systematic learning, students can excel in the competition and build a strong foundation for future math learning. Even if a student does not perform well in the RMO, they may still be admitted through DSA based on strengths in other areas such as co-curricular achievements, leadership, or holistic excellence.
Kangaroo Study, with its expert Olympiad teaching system and precise exam analysis, is committed to helping your child prepare efficiently and steadily improve.
For questions or more information, please contact Teacher Meng through Whatsapp or Wechat⬇️
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发表于 2025-8-5 11:48:26
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