The Mathematics Olympiad is not an ordinary examination that you prepare for conventionally. There are no tricks; there are no shortcuts and no formulae. The only requirement for success here is something that will serve you well all your life, the capacity to think deeply, reason intelligently and solve unfamiliar problems. And if all this sounds scary, rest assured that preparation for mathematics Olympiads is a skill and like every skill, it can be developed through systematic learning. Here is exactly how you do it.
Before even picking up a book, get acquainted with the format of the competition that you intend to participate in. For Indian aspirants, the first step of entry into the world of Olympiads in India would be IOQM (Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics), which is followed by RMO (Regional Mathematical Olympiad), INMO (Indian National Mathematical Olympiad), and ending in the IMO camp, where 6 participants are chosen for the IMO.
SOF IMO (Science Olympiad Foundation’s International Mathematics Olympiad) is a common starting point for high school students belonging to Classes 1 to 12. The very knowledge of which stage of the competition you wish to target will make all the difference!
The biggest blunder that the students commit while preparing for the math olympiads is that they begin to solve difficult questions without having a firm grasp on the basic concepts. There are no tougher questions from the book in the math olympiad, but entirely new kinds of questions which check your conceptual clarity.
It is highly recommended that one begin with the NCERT books of Class 8, 9 and 10 mathematics. Solve all the proofs on your own before seeing the solution. If you are unable to prove something yourself, you have not mastered it but have only understood it.
After securing a strong base, you can proceed towards studying for the Olympiad: Number Theory, Algebra, Geometry, and Combinatorics.
Unstructured practice produces unstructured results. Here is a practical weekly framework for serious IMO preparation for students:
Monday-Tuesday: Number Theory & Algebra. One idea each day and attempt 5-8 problems. Only then proceed to the next idea once you’re able to solve problems without hints.
Wednesday-Thursday: Geometry. This topic tests the visualisation and construction abilities of students. Draw diagrams for all problems. Study the angles, circles, and basic projective geometry.
Friday: Combinatorics. Most students underestimate the difficulty level of combinatorics. Problems in counting, pigeonhole principles and graph theory encourage creative thinking rather than applying formulae.
Saturday: Miscellaneous and Previous Year Problem Set. Solve problems from the previous year IOQM, RMO or SOF IMO papers. Make sure you solve them in an examination setting.
Sunday: Revision and Contemplation. Do NOT solve any new problems. Rather, focus on understanding why your solution was different from the correct answer for all problems that you attempted previously.
All Olympiad books are not the same when it comes to preparing for Olympiad-level contests. To build a basic understanding for olympiad-level contest preparation, "An Excursion in Mathematics," authored by Modak, Dixit and Ghate, has been suggested as a compulsory read for Indian candidates aiming at RMO and above. Another book which builds that bridge between regular maths and Olympiad maths is "Problem Primer for Olympiads" authored by C.R. Pranesachar.
When it comes to building international-level problem-solving skills, the "Art of Problem Solving" series authored by Richard Rusczyk is the best bet. These books are used all over the world by aspirants preparing for AMC, AIME and IMO exams.
Other important things that should be included in the study routine are past year question papers of IOQM, RMO and INMO, obtainable online via the official website of HBCSE.
Students who perform well in Mathematics Olympiads are not necessarily those who have the most natural talent. Instead, they are the ones who began early, remained consistent, and improved their problem-solving skills through practice and experience.
Check out our carefully handpicked resources for preparing for Olympiads, topic-by-topic problems, and other study material for students of all levels, whether you’re an absolute beginner at the IMO or a serious contender in the IOQM.
Begin Preparing for Mathematics Olympiads Right Now. All Problems You Solve Today Are Closer to the Podium.
Although there is no definitive age, those who start engaging with Olympiad Math from Grade 6 or 7 gain an edge when they appear in the competitions such as IOQM and RMO at the Grade 9-11 level. However, those who have started preparation for olympiads from Grade 9 or 10 and worked consistently are well-equipped to participate in national-level olympiads.
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