How to Succeed at Math

Competitions
By: Gordon Lee
Youre about to begin a fast-paced math competition. You glance at the clock, and notice
theres a minute until the timer begins. Perspiration drips down your back, and your heart
pumps a little faster. You recite last minute formulas in an attempt to prime yourself for the
upcoming behemoth. Suddenly, the proctor calls out, 3...2...1...begin.

Fast-paced math competitions can be stressful and adrenaline-inducing, but can also be
very rewarding, given that you do well during the contest. To do well in a math
competition, there are three simple words to remember: practice, practice, practice.
There is no magic way to become better at mathematics; it takes hard work, diligence,
and persistence.
Practice:
To prepare for a math competition, you must learn all the material that are tested in the
competitions. This includes algebra, geometry, counting, and number theory. To aid in
calculations, it is recommended that you practice mental math. (To improve this skill, refer to
Secrets of Mental Math, by Arthur Benjamin).
There are a few concepts that should be memorized, which includes, but is not limited to,
squares from 1-30, the formula for finding the number of diagonal in a polygon, volume
formulas for spheres, cylinders, and cones, factorials up to 10!, difference of squares, power
of a point, etc. (I didnt mention it in the list, but you should also be able to recite the
alphabet). The best way to hone these skills is to practice using previous years tests, as
those will most likely have many questions which require the use of these memorized
concepts.
When engaging in practice problems, use the solutions key sparingly; it is only a guidance.
You learn much better by solving the problems on your own. Studies have shown that your
brain is able to pick up mathematical concepts and synthesize them to solve similar
problems if you are able to work through and solve math problems. Believe it or not, that is
why you are able to remember the answer to 2+2, and similar problems.
The more you practice for a certain kind of problem, the faster you will be able to solve it.
For example, if I asked you to solve What is the probably that the sum of 2 fair 6-sided die
is 8, and this were the very first time you were to attempt a problem of this nature, it would
probably take you a while, as you are unfamiliar with this concept. As time progresses,
however, and you practice this type of question, you will continue to become better and
faster at these types of problems.
Test-Taking Strategies:

Know which math competition you are preparing for, since different competitions call for
different methods. For example, There is a slight benefit to leaving answer blank on the
American Math Competition (AMC) 10&12 as opposed to the wrong answer, whereas you
should never leave and answer blank on competitions such as the MIC or Blaine. The
reason for this is that wrong answers on the AMC gives 0 points, while a blank answer
rewards 1.5 points. On the MIC and Blaine, both wrong answers and blank answers earn
you 0 points, so it beneficial to make an educated guess.
Lets investigate the scoring system of the AMC more meticulously. A correct answer
rewards 6 points, a blank answer 1.5, and a wrong answer 0. Since there are 5 plausible
answer choices, the expected value of randomly guessing an answer is 1.2 points. In other
words, if you have no idea which answer choice is correct, leave it blank. If, however, you
are able to eliminate a single answer choice, your expected value is increased to 1.5;
equivalent to leaving it blank. You might as well guess. If you are able to eliminate 2 or more
answer choices, there should be no hesitation in making an educated guess, since the
expected value would be 2 or more.
For the MIC, you do not have the luxury of having answer choices in front of to guess
among; your answers must come from your brain. To maximize your score, you must tone
your time-management skills (this comes with practice as well). Never spend too much time
on any one problem; skip problems that are taking too long, and circle the question number
on your answer sheet. This ensures that you do not accidentally write in the answer for the
next problem into the space for the question you in fact skipped, and also allows you to spot
it quickly to work on later on if you have finished all the ones you are able to solve.
It is very important to double-check your work. It is a terrible feeling to know that you are
able to solve a specific problem, only to find that you miscalculated, and ended up with the
wrong answer. Going over your work may also help you finish problems you forget how to
do earlier, either because a similar problem occurred later on in the test, or it just suddenly
came to you.
The Day Before the Test:
You must keep your body well-rested and fit to do well in the competition. Drink plenty of
water, sleep early, and have a healthy breakfast. Though this may sound ridiculous, it has
been proven by many trusted health clinics that healthy breakfasts help maintain a stable
metabolism throughout the day, and help reduce hunger later on in the day.
Your body is not the only thing that should be well-rested; your brain deserves a break from
studying as well. Relax your mind, and remain in a serene atmosphere. This means no
studying the day before the test. I repeat: no studying right before the test. Not only will it
not help, but it will also cause unnecessary stress. Studies by psychologists have
determined that by stressing your mind out right before the test, you will hardly remember
anything you study at the last minute, and instead only cause anxiety. Im sure your
teachers told you the same thing back when you were pulling all-nighters to study for the
test, which most likely hurt your grade.
Overall, rigorous training, skill sharpening, and good study habits are extremely helpful in
boosting your score in math competitions. Begin to develop these good habits, such as
practicing everyday for upcoming competitions (just 30 minutes a day would be great), and
developing any skills that leave something to be desired. If you follow these steps, you can
heighten your potential, maximizing your chances of receiving a trophy. Good luck!