IMC / IMAS / Travel FAQs

  1. What is the difference between IMAS Tryout and IMC Tryout?
  2. What do you mean by choosing 1 )IMAS Tryout or 2) IMC Tryout? Why can’t participants participate both days?
  3. Where can I find sample problems?
  4. My child used to be a MathEdge student, will they receive a discount on the IMC Team Tryouts?
  5. If I register for the IMAS tryout only and my child is not among the top 10%, can I still register for the IMC tryout?
  6. If I register for both tryouts and my child is among the top 5-10% in the first round, is there a $25 refund?
  7. My family does not live in Fremont or Cupertino, is my child eligible to participate in the IMC Team Tryouts? 
  8. My student is a 2nd grade or an 10th grader; can they still participate in the IMC Team Tryouts?
  9. Can a student in 6th grade or lower join the Upper Division?
  10. Can a 7th grader born on or after July 20, 1998 join the Lower Division?
  11. When is the Summer Camp?
  12. How can I qualify for the Summer Camp?
  13. If I just want to be selected for the IMC-Taiwan, can I join the IMC Tryout only?
  14. What is the difference between the Hong Kong Summer Camp and the 12-week training?
  15. If my child qualifies to be in the top 10% in the IMC Tryout, what would be the training schedule?
  16. What if my child is selected but cannot or does not want to participate in the contest?
  17. Is the 12-week training only offered in one location or in multiple locations?
  18. What are the actual dates of the competition in Taiwan?
  19. My child and I would like to spend some time in Taiwan before the contest dates. Are students and/or their family members required to book travel with the MathEdge group? 
  20. Are airfare and travel costs included for the child’s accompanying parents/family members?
  21. What will the itinerary be for students participating in the contest and/or for accompanying family?

Q1: What is the difference between IMAS Tryout and IMC Tryout?

A: International Mathematics Assessments for Schools (IMAS) is a world-class mathematics assessment test organized by IMAS Executive Council. It offers 2 rounds of contests, followed by a summer camp in Hong Kong. The first round is the IMAS Tryout and the second round is the IMC Tryout..

 The IMAS tryout is the Hong Kong Summer Camp Qualifying Round 1. The IMC tryout serves as both the Hong Kong Summer Camp Qualifying Round 2 and the Qualifying Round for the International Math Contest (IMC) in Taiwan.

Q2: What do you mean by choosing 1)IMAS Tryout: 12/7/11 OR 12/8/11 2) IMC Tryout: 2/8/12 OR 2/19/12? Why can’t participants participate both days?

A: For each tryout, a participant will only try out on one of those dates, not both. The same test will be given on both days. There is no need for participants to come both days.

Q3: Where can I find sample problems?

A: Sample problems and answers can be found on our website.

The competition is composed of two divisions:

  1. Lower Division (grade 6 or lower)         Round1 samples               Round2  samples
  2. Upper Division (grade 9 or lower)         Round1 samples               Round2  samples

Q4: My child used to be a MathEdge student, will they receive a discount on the IMC Team Tryouts?

A: Only current MathEdge students will receive a discount. All others will pay the the regular registration fee. For online payment, no discounts will be given to anyone

Q5: If I register for the IMAS tryout only and my child is not among the top 10%, can I still register for the IMC tryout?

A: Yes, but you will pay an additional $50. If you register for both at the same time, the fee is $75, saving by $25.

Q6: If I register for both tryouts and my child is among the top 5-10% in the first round, is there a $25 refund?

A: No. Paying $75 will guarantee your slots for both tryouts.

Q7: My family does not live in Fremont or Cupertino, is my child eligible to participate in the IMC Team Tryouts? 

A: Yes, this tryout is open to any student in the Bay Area who is in 3rd to 9th grade. We have students coming in from all over California.

Q8: My student is a 2nd grade or an 10th grader; can they still participate in the IMC Team Tryouts?

A: Please e-mail or call our office to discuss your individual case.

Q9: Can a student in 6th grade or lower join the Upper Division?

A: Yes. There is no minimum grade level to join the Upper Division. However, the same test will be given to all participants under the same division.

Q10: Can a 7th grader born on or after July 20, 1998 join the Lower Division?

A: No. The Lower Division is for students in 6th Grade and below only.

Q11: When is the Summer Camp?

A: The IMAS Executive Council has not set an exact date for the week-long summer camp yet, but they will try to schedule it right before the IMC.

Q12: How can I qualify for the Summer Camp?

A: You should take the IMAS tryouts. From the participants in each country, only the top 5-10% of the students from the IMAS Tryout will be invited to take the next round (same contest as the IMC Tryout). For these students, the IMC tryout will serve as both the Hong Kong Summer Camp Qualifying Round 2 and IMC-Taiwan Qualifying Round. However, if the student is not in the top 5-10% for IMAS, he/she can still possibly qualify for IMC-Taiwan.

Q13: If I just want to be selected for the IMC-Taiwan, can I join the IMC Tryout only?

A: Yes. IMC Tryout qualifies for IMC. IMAS tryout is a separate contest to qualify for Hong Kong Summer Camp.

Q14: What is the difference between the Hong Kong Summer Camp and the 12-week training?

A: The Hong Kong Summer Camp is conducted by the IMAS and coordinated by Mathedge only. The students to be selected will be at the discretion of the IMAS Executive Council. On the other hand, the 12-week training is conducted by Mathedge for students whose scores are in the top 10% of the IMC Tryout.

Q15: If my child qualifies to be in the top 10% in the IMC Tryout, what would be the training schedule?

A: Every year can be different. We create the schedule based on the participants and our schedule. In the past, the training period was mostly on weekend evenings.

Q16: What if my child is selected but cannot or does not want to participate in the contest?

A: If your child cannot or does not wish to attend the contest, his/her spot will be given to the next student in line.

Q17: Is the 12-week training only offered in one location or in multiple locations?

A: At this time, the 12-week training is only offered in the Fremont location. The team needs to train together to ensure everyone is on the same page. Training in different locations from other teammates will hinder the team’s performance.

Q18: What are the actual dates of the competition in Taiwan?

A: July 25-30, 2012.

Q19: My child and I would like to spend some time in Taiwan before the contest dates. Are students and/or their family members required to book travel with the MathEdge group? 

A: No, students and their family members are not required to travel with the MathEdge group to Taiwan. Traveling with the group is encouraged, however, as students often like to be with their teammates.

Q20: Are airfare and travel costs included for the child’s accompanying parents/family members?

A: No, any family members accompanying the student must pay for their own travel and accommodations expenses.

Q21: What will the itinerary be for students participating in the contest and/or for accompanying family?

A: A guide assigned to the MathEdge group will pick up our group from the airport and take us to the hotel. Students will eat breakfast and lunch. Hotel check-in is usually in the mid-afternoon. After check-in, students can relax in their rooms and adjust to the time change and jetlag until about 6PM. That evening, the MathEdge team and their travel companions usually meet in the hotel lobby to get to know one another, have dinner, and for the students to get in some more practice before the contest.

 Students can join tours and have meals together. Parents or other family members who have booked their own travel separately may also be able to go on tours and share meals with the MathEdge team. In the past, it was possible to add individual tours and meals but the contest organizer prefers that accompanying family members join us for all activities and meals. Family member(s) joining the group activities needs to be reserved/rearranged ahead of time.

There is also a dinner and awards ceremony after the contests.

Sample itinerary from 2011 IMC in Indonesia:

July 18 – Arrival

July 19 – Opening Ceremony and Puzzle Competition

July 20 – Individual and Team Competition, Cultural Presentation Part 1

July 21 – Cultural Presentation Part 2 and Tour

July 22 – Awarding Ceremony

July 23 – Departure