South African Mathematics Olympiad  The premier mathematics competition in South Africa

  

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Organised by the SA  Mathematics Foundation

in co-operation with AMESA and SAMS 

and the SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns

Sponsored by the Harmony Gold Mining Company

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Format

FORMAT OF THE SA MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD

The competition consists of separate papers for juniors (grades 8-9) and seniors (grades 10-12).

The Three Rounds:

First Round

There is a junior Olympiad for grades 8 and 9 and a senior Olympiad for grades 10, 11 and 12.  Each paper consists of 20 questions with multiple choice answers and candidates have one hour in which to complete the paper.

    The Marking:

The teachers themselves mark the answers.  Each school is provided with the solutions.

Second Round

Candidates who attain 50% and higher in the first round qualify for the second round.  There are separate papers for the juniors and seniors.  The candidates have two hours to answer the multiple-choice answers.

    The Marking:

The answers are marked by computer.

Third Round

The 100 best senior learners and 100 best junior learners from the previous round qualify for the third round.  There are separate papers for the juniors and seniors.

Prizes:

• Learners who enter for the competition receive a first round certificate.
• Learners who participated in the second round receive a certificate.
• Each final round participant receives a bronze medal and a certificate.
• The overall winner of the senior division receives the Dirk van Rooy gold medal and cash prize of R2 500.
• The nine runners-up of the senior division each receive a Dirk van Rooy silver medal and cash prize of R1 000 each.
• The overall winner of the junior division receives the Dawie du Toit gold medal.
• The nine runners-up of the junior division each receive a Harmony silver medal.
• Candidates who perform well are considered for selection in the South African team chosen to compete in the International Mathematics Olympiad.