Math competitions for elementary & middle school: MOEMS, Kangaroo, MATHCOUNTS & AMC 8
A friendly overview of the major K–8 math competitions — what they are, who they're for, and how to prepare.
Math competitions build genuine problem-solving depth — and they're fun. Here are the main ones for younger students.
The big four
- MOEMS (Math Olympiads for Elementary & Middle Schools) — grades 4–8, short non-routine problems, team-based.
- Math Kangaroo — grades 1–12, playful multiple-choice, the world's largest math competition.
- MATHCOUNTS — grades 6–8, individual and team rounds, fast and competitive.
- AMC 8 — grade 8 and under, 25 multiple-choice problems, a gateway to the AMC/AIME pathway.
How to prepare
Competition math rewards flexible thinking, not speed drills. Practice non-routine problems, learn to try multiple approaches, and review elegant solutions. Original contest-style problems (not past papers) build the reasoning without spoiling real questions.
Common questions
What's the easiest competition to start with?
Math Kangaroo and MOEMS are great entry points — approachable, encouraging, and a good way to spark interest before MATHCOUNTS or AMC 8.
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