High School Mathematics Contest
Description
Minnesota State University has hosted the High School Mathematics Contest since 1974. The contest was run by Dr. Charles Waters for several decades, and it is now organized by a committee of two mathematics faculty who have had previous experience in high school mathematics contests. Dr. Brandon Rowekamp participated in the High School Math League competition for four years. Dr. Zhu was a first prize winner in National High School Mathematics League in China. The contest includes challenging questions from many areas of high school mathematics, such as algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. The contest will be a great complement to other contests such as Math League and AMC 10/12, and it is a great opportunity for students regardless of whether they are participating in these contests.
The contest is both an individual competition and a team competition. A team consists of up to five students from a single school, selected by the school prior to the start of the contest. A team score is the sum of the individual scores of the team members. The competition consists of multiple-choice problems covering the topics listed at the bottom of this page. There is no calculus on the exam. Calculators are not permitted.
Individual Awards
- **1st Place: Certificate, $600 MSU *Scholarship and $50
- **2nd Place: Certificate, $500 MSU *Scholarship and $40
- **3rd Place: Certificate, $400 MSU *Scholarship and $35
- Top Score of 12th Grade: Certificate and $35
- Top Score of 11th Grade: Certificate and $35
- Top Score of 10th Grade: Certificate and $35
- Top Score of 7-9th Grade: Certificate and $35
- Top 20% of Each School: Certificate and $10
Team Awards
- First Place: Certificate to each member, a team plaque and $30 per member
- Second Place: Certificate to each member, a team plaque and $25 per member
- Third Place: Certificate to each member, a team plaque and $20 per member
- Fourth Place: Certificate to each member, a team plaque and $15 per member
- Fifth Place: Certificate to each member, a team plaque and $10 per member
Participant Awards
Each participant will receive a Math Contest T-shirt and a Participation Certificate.
Detailed Listing of Topics Covered
The exam consists of 30 multiple choice problems that require knowledge of high school mathematics. No knowledge of calculus is required. The problems range from those accessible by high school freshmen to more advanced problems that require a more mature level of understanding of mathematics and problem solving.
The objective of the Contest is to allow students to showcase their talents and to introduce a wide range of high school students to a higher level of mathematical problem solving to stimulate their interest and widen their perspective of mathematics. A background in algebra, trigonometry, geometry, counting, and probability is desirable, but not necessary. Calculators are not permitted. Please contact Brandon Rowekamp for more information about previous exams.
High School Mathematics Contest Schedule
Wednesday, April 14, 2027
- 8:45 - 9 a.m.
- Check-in, Student Union Ballroom Entrance
- 9:15 - 10:45 a.m.
- Examination, Centennial Student Union 200
- 10:45 - 12:30 p.m.
- Lunch Break
- 12:45 - 1:15 p.m.
- Awards Ceremony, Centennial Student Union 200
- 1:30 - 2 p.m.
- Tour of Department of Mathematics and Statistics
For
- 7th through 12th grade
- The problems are designed with 9th through 12th grade in mind
Registration
- The registration fee is $10.00 per participant
- The priority registration deadline is Friday, March 5, 2027
Parking
- Buses must park on the south end of Lot 22
- Passenger vehicles will be provided with permits for the visitors’ lot located just across the street to the south of Centennial Student Union
Lunch
- Meal tickets provided for lunch at the University Dining Center
