How to Choose the Right Math Competition for Lower Primary (P1–P3) Students...

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How to Choose the Right Math Competition for Lower Primary (P1–P3) Students? A Complete Guide

            

For parents whose children have just entered primary school, it may be overwhelming to see how many math competitions there are in Singapore.

From competitions organised by local schools and education centres to prestigious international contests, the choices are endless.

     

Many parents of students in P1 to P3 often ask:
“With so many competitions, which ones are really worth participating in?”

Don’t worry. This article is here to help you sort things out —
      

Starting from competitions suitable for lower primary students, we will walk you through how to choose and prepare step by step.

We’ve put together a recommended list of math competitions for lower primary (P1–P3) based on increasing difficulty, covering each competition’s difficulty level, recognition value, and basic details. You may want to save this guide for future reference～

      

Please note: International contests like AMO (American Math Olympiad), AMC (Australian Mathematics Competition), and AMC8 (American Math Competitions) are less commonly taken by lower primary students in Singapore, so they are not included in this ranking. However, for families with international education plans, these contests can still be valuable. Feel free to message us directly for more personalised advice.

We will now introduce each competition in detail, including the structure and registration recommendations, so you can make informed decisions for your child.

1. Singapore Math Kangaroo Contest (SMKC)

   

     

The Singapore Math Kangaroo Contest (SMKC), organised by the Singapore International Math Contests Centre (SIMCC), is a math competition known for its creative and engaging questions that aim to spark children’s interest in learning and build their confidence.

      

Competition Difficulty: ★
SMKC has a relatively low level of difficulty and is ideal for students just starting out in math competitions. It helps stimulate interest, build confidence, and train logical thinking skills.

Recognition Value
Although SMKC results are not considered a major advantage in Singapore’s mainstream admission pathways, they are still valuable when schools evaluate a student’s learning potential and enrichment experiences.

In fact, many students who later excelled in NMOS, RIPMWC, or SMOPS took part in SMKC as their very first math competition.

Eligibility
Open to all primary school students from P1 to P6.

Registration
Via school or individual sign-up.

Competition Date & Rounds
Single round only.
If registered through school, students take the test at their school during the scheduled date.

For individual registrations, the competition will be held in mid-April. The exact date will be announced on the official website.

Venue
School-based if registered via school.
For individual sign-ups, venue details will be sent via email one week prior to the test.

Exam Format
90-minute test, all multiple-choice questions.
Wrong answers are penalised (1 mark deducted), unanswered questions receive no marks.

For P1–P4:
There are 24 questions in total. Starting score is 24 points.
Questions are divided into 3 sections, worth 3, 4, and 5 points respectively.
Maximum score: 120 points.

Grouping
Students are grouped:
P1–P2 use the same paper
P3–P4 use another paper
However, results are ranked within each grade level.

Awards
Perfect Score Award
Gold Award – Top 8%
Silver Award – Next 12%
Bronze Award – Next 20%
Honourable Mention – Next 10%
Certificate of Participation – Remaining 50%

Top 40% of participants will receive award certificates.

Students must register through the official SIMCC national organiser. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly recommend registering early to secure your slot.

         

2. Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad (SASMO)

   

     

Organised by SIMCC, SASMO is a large-scale math Olympiad competition open to students across Asia, from primary levels to junior college.

Since its founding in 2006, students from 19 countries and regions have participated. Each year, over 20,000 students take part globally, with over 100 schools in Singapore joining the competition.

      

Competition Difficulty: ★★
SASMO questions combine foundational skills with extended reasoning.

It is ideal as a pre-Olympiad training platform and provides an excellent opportunity for students who are just starting or who wish to sharpen their problem-solving skills.

Recognition Value
While SASMO is not a core admission competition within Singapore’s DSA system, it is a well-recognised international event.

It serves as a valuable enrichment experience for lower primary students interested in developing a stronger Olympiad portfolio.

Eligibility
Open to all primary school students from P1 to P6.

Registration
Via school or individual sign-up.

Competition Date & Rounds
Single round only.
If registered through school, students follow the school’s arranged date.
For individual registrations, the competition will be held in late-March. The exact date will be announced on the official website.

Venue
Same arrangement as above—school-based or informed via email one week before the test for individual registrations.

Exam Format
90-minute paper with 25 questions in two sections:

Section A: 15 multiple-choice questions

• Correct: +2 points
• Incorrect: –1 point
• No answer: 0 points
  
  

Section B: 10 open-ended questions

• Each correct answer earns 4 points
• No penalty for wrong answers
  
  

To prevent negative scores, all students begin with a base score of 15 points.
Maximum score: 85 points

Grouping
Each grade level has its own version of the test.

Awards
Perfect Score Award
Gold Award – Top 8%
Silver Award – Next 12%
Bronze Award – Next 20%
All participants receive a certificate.

Top 40% of participants will receive medals and certificates.
Perfect scorers will also receive a $100 shopping voucher (shared if more than 50 perfect scorers, with a cap of $5,000 total).

3. Spring Math Challenge (SCMO)

     

      

The “Spring Math Challenge” is one of China’s oldest and most reputable math competitions.

After being introduced to Singapore, it is now locally managed by Kangaroo Study. The contest has been adapted to suit Singapore’s learning system, making it closely aligned with local Olympiad-style contests while offering high training value.

      

Competition Difficulty: ★★★★
SCMO is highly aligned with the difficulty and question style of Singapore’s top-level competitions such as NMOS, RIPMWC, and SMOPS.

It helps students familiarise themselves with key formats, identify knowledge gaps, and gain staged achievements.

Recognition Value
Among non-mainstream competitions available to Singapore primary students, SCMO is considered one of the most valuable.

For students aiming for NMOS, SMOPS, or RIPMWC, SCMO serves as both a training tool and a milestone competition.

Eligibility
Open to students from P2 to P6.

Registration
Individual sign-up via Kangaroo Study platform.

Competition Date & Rounds
Preliminary Round: Late January 2025
Final Round: Late February 2025

Venue
#02-12, Grantral Mall, 601 MacPherson Road, 368242

Exam Format
Each round lasts 60 minutes
20 short-answer questions
Maximum score: 120 points

Grouping
Lower Primary Group: P2–P3
Middle Primary Group: P4–P5
Upper Primary Group: P6

Awards
Gold Medal – Top 8%
Silver Medal – Next 12%
Bronze Medal – Next 20%
Winners will receive medals, certificates, and physical prizes.

Registration Updates
Please scan the QR code at the end of this article to join the parent group chat.
All registration deadlines and updates will be posted there first.

        

Final Thoughts

        

For P1 – P3 students, the goal of participating in math competitions is not necessarily to win awards, but to develop interest and thinking skills at a comfortable pace.

If your child shows sensitivity to math concepts or curiosity in problem-solving during regular lessons, trying out one or two of these competitions could be a great opportunity to develop critical thinking and build confidence.

      

• For beginners, start with the SMKC, which is engaging and beginner-friendly.
• If your child already has some foundational logical thinking, try SASMO or SCMO as a staged challenge.
• For those with long-term goals and aspirations toward international pathways, AMO, AMC, and similar contests are worth considering early.
  
  
  

      

We’ve also compiled past-year questions and preparation materials for each competition. Parents who are interested can scan the QR code below to join our P1–P3 Math Preparation Chat Group.

        

In the group, we offer free access to real competition questions and provide guidance and Q&A for parents.

      

For course inquiries related to lower primary math Olympiad training, please contact:

         
Mr. Zhang Tao

Wechat: SG-KS-ZHANG

Whatsapp: +65 80382563