MATHCOUNTS
The premier US middle school math competition. Free to enter, with a four-level structure from school to national. Features Sprint, Target, Team, and Countdown rounds.
Grade Levels
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-14)
Format
Mixed Format
Scoring
Sprint: 30 problems in 40 min (no calculator). Target: 8 problems in pairs. Team: 10 problems in 20 min. Countdown: oral, head-to-head.
Participants
100,000+
Established
1983
November
School competitions (November-January)
February
Chapter competitions (February)
March
State competitions (March)
May
National competition (May)
Registration
Schools register through MATHCOUNTS
Prizes & Recognition
Trophies, scholarships at national level. State teams of 4 plus top 4 individuals advance to nationals.
About This Competition
MATHCOUNTS is the premier middle school mathematics competition in the United States, serving approximately 100,000+ students in grades 6-8. Founded in 1983, it operates through a four-level structure: School, Chapter, State, and National.
What makes MATHCOUNTS unique is its variety of round formats: Sprint (30 problems, 40 min, no calculator), Target (8 problems in pairs, calculator allowed), Team (10 problems, 20 min, team of 4), and the exciting Countdown Round (oral, head-to-head, 45 seconds per problem). The national competition, held in May, awards trophies and scholarships.
How to Prepare
Practice All Four Competition Rounds
MATHCOUNTS has Sprint (no calculator, speed), Target (pairs of problems), Team, and Countdown rounds. Practice each format separately to build specific skills.
Speed Is Key in the Sprint Round
30 problems in 40 minutes with no calculator means quick mental math is essential. Practice estimation, fast fraction operations, and unit digit tricks.
Use the MATHCOUNTS School Handbook
The official MATHCOUNTS School Handbook provides 300+ practice problems annually. Also use the MATHCOUNTS Trainer app and past competition papers from mathcounts.org.
State Competition Is Within Reach
Chapter competitions lead to State and then Nationals. Consistent practice with the School Handbook can take any motivated student from school level to state competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MATHCOUNTS?
MATHCOUNTS is the premier middle school math competition in the United States, serving students in grades 6-8 through a four-level structure: School, Chapter, State, and National. It features multiple round formats including Sprint, Target, Team, and Countdown rounds.
Is MATHCOUNTS free?
Yes, registration is free for schools.
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