2026 Spirit of Math Contest is Now Open!
Dear Students, Parents & Guardians,
The International Spirit of Math Contest is open to ALL students in grades 1 to 8.
Please note that students currently registered in Spirit of Math from grades 1 – 4 will automatically be registered and write the contest during the class time on the week of Lesson 24. Please contact your Campus Principal for more information.
If you are not registered at a Spirit of Math Campus, please download a letter to educators and poster to share with your school administration or education centre. If your school wishes to not host the contest, please contact the nearest Spirit of Math Contest Host location.
Sincerely,
The International Spirit of Math Contest Team
Dear Educators,
This contest is a tremendous opportunity for students who are passionate about mathematics to compete with like-minded peers. We welcome you to invite your students to write The International
Spirit of Math Contest online at any time during the day of the contest. We value your support for encouraging registrations in this exciting and very challenging event.
We look forward to having your students participate in this exciting and engaging opportunity. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your country representative by clicking here
Here you can download posters and a letter for your students and families.
Sincerely,
The International Spirit of Math Contest Team
Contest Details
Overview
The contest is composed of 20 questions. The contestants will have 30 minutes to write the contest.
The contest is composed of 30 questions. The contestants will have 45 minutes to write the contest.
The contest is composed of 40 questions. The contestants will have 60 minutes to write the contest.
The contest is composed of 40 questions. The contestants will have 75 minutes to write the contest.
Rules
- The contest is multiple-choice with four choices for each question.
- Each question answered correctly is worth one mark, and the sum of the correct answers is the score.
- Marks are not taken off for wrong answers.
- No calculators or other counting tools are allowed.
FAQs
The contest is 30 minutes long for grades 1 and 2, 45 minutes long for grades 3 and 4, 60 minutes for grades 5 and 6, 70 minutes for grades 7 and 8.
- Students in Canada & USA please contact your school or nearest Spirit of Math Contest Host Location. For other countries, please contact your country representative here
- The International Spirit of Math Contest is open to ALL students in Grades 1-8 whether or not they are registered at Spirit of Math. It can be written at most Spirit of Math Campus or at your local school worldwide.
To set up your children for success, we highly recommend the following preparation:
- Past contest papers along with answers and solutions can be viewed on our Contest Questions and Answers page.
- Students are also encouraged to visit the Virtual Practice Center for additional preparation. Students can engage in courses with video lessons and quizzes and test their knowledge by attempting past contests. This website contains both free and premium content.
Yes, you may cancel your child’s registration at any time. However, please note refunds will not be provided for any cancellation.
There are two types of recognitions:
- Honor Roll: Awarded to students who achieve a score of 80% or higher.
- Perfect Score: Awarded to students who achieve a score of 100%.
About the Contest
The International Spirit of Math Contest, presented by Spirit of Math®, is a premier global mathematics competition that inspires students to think creatively, solve challenging problems, and develop a lifelong love for math.
For over 30 years, Spirit of Math has been a global leader in math enrichment for high-performing students and a trusted provider of professional development for educators. Today, more than 11,000 students attend classes across 30 campuses in Canada, with programs and partnerships expanding worldwide.
Through after-school classes, international contests, camps, workbooks, and teacher training, Spirit of Math is transforming how mathematics is taught and learned. Since 1992, our students have consistently earned places on national and international mathematics honour rolls, and our alumni have gone on to attend top universities around the world.
Held globally, the International Spirit of Math Contest gives students from grades 1 to 8 the opportunity to prepare, apply, and showcase their knowledge on the global stage. The contest provides an opportunity for students to have fun and to develop their mathematical problem-solving abilities.
History of the Contest
Launched 27 years ago as an internal assessment for Spirit of Math students, the International Spirit of Math Contest has grown into a prestigious global competition known for its innovative approach to problem solving.
Key milestones:
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1992 – Spirit of Math students begin earning national and international honour roll placements.
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1999 – Contest officially launched for students in Grades 1–4.
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2018 – Contest opened to non–Spirit of Math students across Canada and Pakistan. Over 2,500 students in Grades 1–4 earned placements on the Honour Roll.
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2019 – 20th anniversary of the contest; written internationally by students in Canada, Pakistan, and the USA.
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2020 – Expanded to include Grades 1–6.
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2025 – Global launch with 15 participating countries: Canada, USA, Ecuador, Colombia, Myanmar, Laos, Philippines, Ghana, Singapore, Türkiye, Cambodia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brunei, and Peru.
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2025 – First Global Round hosted in Toronto, Canada.
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2026 – Contest grows to 30+ countries and introduces Grades 7–8.
What began as a small initiative has evolved into a world-class international competition, inspiring the next generation of innovative math thinkers.
