Once we started looking into available Math Exams, several options came across. Every exam offers a different testing mechanism and we need to choose what matches with our goal. We looked at our class to get our first clue. Almost all, say 95% of our kids were comfortable with problem solving. Roughly around 10% were racing ahead of the class, 10% continued to surprise us with their high grasping power. 10% were good with pure number crunching using math tables, quick mental math techniques. 20% were good at finding clues in the word problems. It was very clear that, we will need to assess and offer multiple exams to give everyone a fighting chance! Most of the times parents ask about difference between each exam and why they should sign up their kids? Let’s dive deeper into what I found out or like about each.
Math League –
Math League exams are a very good prep tool for early grades like 4th grade. Exam requires knowledge of simple math operations and promotes time bound problem solving. It has a very good combination of simple problems moving into slightly harder word problems. The test paper is not too tricky, so majority of students can take it with ease. I found that, these exams provided an excellent source of assessments and quick warm-up on basic math operations. Only downside is, as my class was mostly of gifted kids, they found these exams bit easy. I still used those to train them in the beginning of each year as we moved to Olympiad strategies or AMC related curriculum.
Math Olympiad –
Math Olympiads for elementary and middle school kids offer extensive training on various problem solving strategies. It also encourages problem analysis with help of organizing data, formation of table, working backward from given outcome, etc. to list a few. It offers 2 levels suitable for elementary and middle school groups. What I appreciate most is their focus on problem solving using these strategies. Level e suits most of 4th and 5th grade students well. Exam is a series of 5 exams. Each exam is roughly 30 minutes in duration and contains 5 problems. Problems typically include solving an equation, finding required region on a geometrical shape, logical reasoning based on data, etc. Most of the times, exam increases difficulty level starting problem 1 through 5 in each exam 1 through 5. As for preparing kids for MOEM, teaching multiple strategies is the way to go. MOEM authors have some very good publications that can come handy. MOEM appoints a Person In Charge Olympiad who has access to past exam to assist the training. Practice prep with assessments and solving past exams as time bound test helps kids experience the competitive nature of exam. MOEM scoring statistics are fine grained and each problem resolution success percentile is available. This help coaches identify strength and weakness of their team and train kids accordingly. I think every kid must have access to appear for these exams for all these well rounded benefits.
AMC 8 –
AMC 8 is suitable for grade 6 to 8 students. Exam is 25 problems to solve in 45 minutes. Problems range in difficulty level and categories like geometry, fractions, logical reasoning, etc. The exam is time bound and usually kids find it challenging to attempt all questions. This pattern keeps students looking for a challenge very well occupied. Exam is held only once a year and is very popular among middle school students. Hosting this exam requires requires a teacher advisor who can register a school team. Any proctor appointed by teacher advisor can conduct the exam on set date. The date for AMC exam is announced by MAA and must be followed. AMC can not be taken on any other date. There are several rules for proctor as well. Training required for this exam is an ongoing process. Students must develop a habit of problem solving and learn to apply various techniques, formulas, etc. The concepts could be advanced for 6th and 7th grade level, so coaches must provide samples of different category problems. Exam answer key gets posted online for reference and education purpose.