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What is COMC？

The Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge (COMC) is Canada’s premier national mathematics competition, open to students with a strong foundation in high school mathematics.

 

This prestigious competition aims to inspire students to explore mathematics more deeply and enhance their problem-solving skills. The COMC provides a valuable learning experience and an opportunity to challenge oneself.

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By participating in the COMC, students can showcase their abilities on a national platform and gain recognition for their mathematical talent.

Competition date and time

Date and time:

  • Date: Friday, November, 1st 2024 in New Zealand. 

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Registration deadline: 16 October 2024. The registration is considered successful upon receipt of the registration fee.

Competition Format

  • Format and Questions:  150 minutes (2.5 hours) long, consisting of 12 questions based on the grades 7-12 curriculum.

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  • You will be given PDF papers to write on.

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  • Participants eligibility: Open to students in Year 13 and below.

  • The student must be under 19 years of age as of June 30th of this year and

  • The student must be attending school full-time either virtually or in person

Register Now!

When registering multiple students, complete a separate registration form for each student, and ensure that you use a different email for each student.

Upload File

Thanks for submitting!

  • Competition date: Friday November 1st, 2024

  • Close date of registering: 16 October 2024.

Fees for the COMC is $160 per student.

Please note: If you registered after the deadline, the fees will be doubled.

BANK: ANZ

Name of Account: Pinnacle Education Group

Account: 06-0241-0684634-00

 

Please make payment with the students 'full name + COMC ' as reference.

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⚠️ Please note that any fees and payments made are non-refundable.

⚠️ Before you make any payment, make sure you read through the refund policy on our website to avoid misunderstandings.

(Terms and conditions apply).

PGA reserves the right to interpret all competition and course arrangements.

Topics to Study

Most of the problems on the COMC will be based on the mathematics curriculum taught in grades 7-11.  Potential topics include:

  • Probability

  • Euclidean and analytic geometry

  • Trigonometry, including functions, graphs and identities

  • Exponential and logarithmic functions

  • Functional notation

  • Systems of equations

  • Polynomials, including relationships involving the roots of quadratic and cubic equations

  • ​The remainder theorem

  • Sequences and series

  • Simple counting problems

  • The binomial theorem

  • Elementary number theory, including tests for divisibility, number of divisors, and simple Diophantine equations

Why Participate in the COMC?

● High Prestige
This competition is a qualifying round for the Canadian Mathematical Olympiad (CMO), Canada’s most prestigious high school mathematics Olympiad. Students in New Zealand who perform well in the COMC have enhanced opportunities to apply for scholarships and participate in official university mathematics camps. Excelling in the COMC can give students an advantage when applying for STEM programs at top universities in New Zealand and globally.

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● Gateway to Top Global STEM Universities
In today’s competitive landscape for overseas undergraduate applications, outstanding performance in the COMC can set students apart as a strong candidate. Winning the COMC Gold Award in New Zealand can make it easier for university admissions officers to recognize a student's math skills, significantly boosting their chances of acceptance at prestigious institutions.

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● Dual Improvement in English and Math Skills
How can students quickly improve their overall academic skills? Participating in an international mathematics competition like the COMC offers high-level practice and a direct demonstration of abilities.
Whether or not you plan to study abroad, the preparation for the COMC will make you stand out. The experience of “learning math in English and competing in math in English” becomes a valuable asset for your academic profile.

Prizes and Awards

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Performance-based Awards
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Awards are only given to official participants (see the Eligibility page for details).

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Students compete in a geographical division. Students outside Canada compete in the International Division

International Division awards:

 

The top official participants from outside Canada, who are not Canadian citizens (or permanent residents of Canada) are considered for the International Championship awards, which are not grade-dependent.

 

As well, there are award categories broken up by grade, as in the Canadian division.  The awards given each each award category are Gold, Silver, Bronze and Honourable Mention.

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The CMS reserves the right to suspend awards or limit the number of awards in any category where there is a very low level of participation or to require a minimum limit score for awards.

Certificates​

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Certificate titles are based on the quartile into which the student’s score falls:

  • 1st quartile = Performance with Distinction

  • 2nd quartile = Performance with Honours

  • 3rd or 4th quartile = Certificate of Participation

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Scholarships​

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Competition results will be shared with CMS's partner universities to help them consider offering academic scholarships to high-potential students.

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Frequently Ask Questions

1. What grade levels can write the COMC?

  • Any student who hasn't finished secondary school can participate in the COMC. In New Zealand, this typically includes students up to Year 13. However, the questions are based on the standard Canadian mathematics curriculum for senior secondary grades.

2. What do students gain from participating?

Participating in internationally recognized mathematics competitions like the COMC adds great value to your academic profile, which can be beneficial for scholarships or university applications.

  • Gain new experience in problem-solving and measure your abilities against other top math students in New Zealand.

  • Participants will receive official certificates, and top achievers will be recognized publicly.

  • All participants will be included in a random prize draw exclusive to students in New Zealand.

3. What is the exam structure and scoring method?

The set of questions is the same for all students of all grades.   There are:

  • Four introductory questions, worth 4 points each;

  • Four intermediate questions, worth 6 points each; and

  • Four advanced questions, worth 10 points each.

  • Maximum score: 80 points.

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The first two sections (introductory and intermediate) are scored as follows:

  • If you write the correct answer in the answer box, you get full marks, regardless of showing any work.

  • If you don't give the right answer but you show at least some good work, you may get partial marks.

  • Therefore you don't have to show your work, but if you don't and you make a small mistake in your answer you'll get zero points.

 

The advanced questions require fully-worked solutions (you must show all your work).

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