Mathematics
Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad
(AIMO)
A demanding mathematics competition for talented secondary students who enjoy advanced, non-routine problem solving. It develops rigorous reasoning and provides a bridge towards higher-level Olympiad mathematics.
Course Information
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Exam Instructions
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Competition Day
Competition Overview
Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad
The Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad (AIMO) is a highly challenging four-hour mathematics competition organised by the Australian Maths Trust. It is designed to identify and extend talented students through complex, non-routine mathematical problem solving.
The AIMO paper is pitched broadly at Australian Year 10 level, although motivated and mathematically advanced students in Years 7–9 may also participate. Unlike shorter multiple-choice competitions, AIMO requires students to produce exact integer answers and, for selected questions, complete written mathematical solutions that may include proofs.
Each paper contains original problems developed by leading educators and academics. The questions range substantially in difficulty, and only a small number of students are expected to complete the entire paper. AIMO results may be used by the Australian Maths Trust to identify students for its mathematics Olympiad pathway.
AIMO gives mathematically talented students an opportunity to:
engage with mathematics beyond the standard school curriculum;
solve substantial, multi-step problems;
develop rigorous mathematical reasoning;
learn to construct and communicate written proofs;
strengthen persistence and strategic thinking;
experience an Olympiad-style competition environment;
benchmark their performance among other advanced problem solvers;
gain recognition through national awards; and
demonstrate readiness for further AMT enrichment and Olympiad opportunities.
The competition is especially valuable for students moving from short-answer competitions toward formal Olympiad mathematics, where the quality of reasoning and written justification becomes increasingly important.
AIMO is suitable for students who:
demonstrate a strong aptitude for mathematics;
enjoy difficult and unfamiliar mathematical problems;
have performed very strongly in the Australian Mathematics Competition;
have completed advanced stages of an AMT Maths Enrichment programme;
undertake substantial mathematics extension outside the standard curriculum;
are comfortable spending extended periods on a small number of difficult problems;
want to develop mathematical proof and written reasoning; or
may be ready for consideration within an Olympiad pathway.
AIMO is not intended as a general-entry assessment for students seeking routine curriculum practice. It is designed for highly motivated students who already have experience with advanced problem solving.
Preparation for AIMO should focus on sustained mathematical problem solving and clear written reasoning rather than memorising a large collection of formulas.
Recommended preparation includes:
completing past AIMO papers;
reviewing the official worked solutions;
practising Australian Mathematics Competition problems from the later questions;
participating in AMT Maths Challenge or Maths Enrichment programmes;
developing fluency in algebra, geometry, number theory and combinatorics;
practising integer-answer problems without relying on multiple-choice options;
learning common proof methods, including direct proof, contradiction and case analysis;
writing complete solutions with every important step justified;
checking whether a conclusion follows logically from the preceding argument;
spending time exploring different approaches before abandoning a difficult problem;
practising four-hour papers under realistic conditions; and
reviewing unsuccessful attempts to understand where the reasoning broke down.
Students should expect not to complete the entire paper. Effective preparation involves learning to identify approachable problems, secure available marks and communicate partial progress clearly where written reasoning is required.
The AIMO is a four-hour individual written mathematics competition consisting of one paper.
Competition Structure
10 questions
8 questions requiring integer answers
2 questions requiring written solutions, which may include proofs
One paper for eligible students in Australian Years 7–10
Maximum score of 35 marks
Scoring
Questions 1–4: 2 marks each
Question 5: 3 marks
Question 6: 4 marks
Questions 7–10: 5 marks each
Investigation: up to 4 bonus marks
Total: 35 marks
Teachers receive the paper digitally and print it for supervised use. Student solutions are then submitted digitally to the Australian Maths Trust for marking.
AIMO awards are based on overall performance in the competition.
Prize
Awarded to students whose performance is outstanding on a national basis.
High Distinction
Awarded to approximately the top 10% of participants.
Distinction
Awarded to approximately the next 15%.
Credit
Awarded to approximately the next 25%.
Participation
Awarded to all remaining participants.
Award cut-off scores are approximate and vary from year to year according to the difficulty of the paper and the performance of the participant group.
AIMO results may be used by the Australian Maths Trust to identify students for its mathematics Olympiad pathway and other high-performance opportunities.
Students who demonstrate exceptional ability may be considered for further training, mentoring or invitation-only activities administered through the Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee. These programmes develop the advanced proof, number theory, geometry, algebra and combinatorics skills required for higher-level Olympiad mathematics.
Participation or an AIMO award does not guarantee an invitation. Selection decisions and eligibility for national or international representation are managed separately under the relevant programme rules.
Preparation for AIMO should focus on sustained mathematical problem solving and clear written reasoning rather than memorising a large collection of formulas.
Recommended preparation includes:
completing past AIMO papers;
reviewing the official worked solutions;
practising Australian Mathematics Competition problems from the later questions;
participating in AMT Maths Challenge or Maths Enrichment programmes;
developing fluency in algebra, geometry, number theory and combinatorics;
practising integer-answer problems without relying on multiple-choice options;
learning common proof methods, including direct proof, contradiction and case analysis;
writing complete solutions with every important step justified;
checking whether a conclusion follows logically from the preceding argument;
spending time exploring different approaches before abandoning a difficult problem;
practising four-hour papers under realistic conditions; and
reviewing unsuccessful attempts to understand where the reasoning broke down.
Students should expect not to complete the entire paper. Effective preparation involves learning to identify approachable problems, secure available marks and communicate partial progress clearly where written reasoning is required.