<p>Hellow -- I am a parent, not a student -- but I knew I would find the answer to my question here.</p>
<p>My son is in 6th grade, his first year of middle school. He is interested in math and fairly good at it (taking algebra this year).</p>
<p>He is interested in one of the math competitions and/or tests, but we are not very familiar with them. The school is new and has never done any of them -- but they are open to suggestions.</p>
<p>I am trying to find out which ones you think were most enjoyable and most beneficial (and if you thought any were totally lame, let me know that too.)</p>
<p>right now we are looking at math counts, amc, and math olympiad -- but there may be others we don't know about.</p>
<p>also, please let me know if you think it is best to just do one or more than one.</p>
<p>thanks!!</p>
<p>Mathcounts is the big one for middle schoolers. It's a good idea to have your school create a team, but it does take some resources - you at least need a team coach.</p>
<p>Mathcounts is basically a team contest - each school can send a team of four kids. Various school teams meet at the "chapter" (regional) round and the kids compete in two individual contests and one team based contest. The top few teams qualify for the state round. Schools can also send 4 kids as individuals, and they compete in the individual rounds. The top few individuals also get to go to state.</p>
<p>You can read about all the details, including the pressure-filled "countdown" round at <a href="http://www.mathcounts.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.mathcounts.org/</a>.</p>
<p>I did this contest for two years and altough the math you learn in it isn't at a very high level (the contests tend to emphasize speed) it's a great launching pad toward higher level contests.</p>
<p>The AMC competitions are the national contests. For middle schoolers, there is the AMC-8 test. It's a short test with only a few questions; everyone interested in math contests should take it. The better middle school kids should also attempt to register and take the AMC-10. More on these at <a href="http://www.unl.edu/amc%5B/url%5D">www.unl.edu/amc</a></p>
<p>I don't know anything about the "olympiad" contests. I do suggest looking into the mathleague contests at <a href="http://www.mathleague.com%5B/url%5D">www.mathleague.com</a></p>
<p>In short, the AMC-8 and the mathleague contests are easy to register for and to have students take, so definitely sign up. Mathcounts is a bit more complicated, but every bit as fun and interesting.</p>
<p>PS - look into the <a href="http://www.artofproblemsolving.com%5B/url%5D">www.artofproblemsolving.com</a> site. It has a ton of resources for every level of math competition, and there are several parents who have experience there.</p>
<p>thanks for the info -- that helped! I will check into the amc-8 test (he is just in 6th grade, so i think we have a little time before he would take the amc-10 test) and I will check out the math league. I will pass the info on to the school about the math counts, but it may be a year before they get that going (and i really don't have the time and energy to do it all myself).</p>
<p>I have checked out the art of problem solving and the site looks great -- but it is overwhelming! I will keep reading there, also.</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>stef</p>
<p>Definitely Mathcounts and the AMC 8.</p>
<p>Start on artofproblemsolving.com NOW.</p>
<p>Replies number 2 and 4 say it all. My oldest son is in his last year of eligibility for AMC 8 and for MATHCOUNTS--they are both great programs.</p>
<p>I think what you meant by the Math Olympiad was the MOES, Math Olympiad for Elemtary and Middle Schools. All I know about it is that there's two levels (one for 4-6th and one for 7-8th, but people in 4-6 can probably take both). There's more information on AoPS though.</p>
<p>My favorite math competition was probably the one where I lost in the first round at school. Luckily, I'm the one in calculus who's helping the people who beat me in that competition. Sorry, just bringing back warm and fuzzy memories... I don't remember the name of it though...</p>
<p>what type of person has a fav. math comp..... <em>shakes his head in shame remembering when he was a mathlete in 8th grade</em></p>