2026
UKSMC 2026
Competition date
Thursday, 8 Oct 2026
Eligible students
NZ Years 11-13
New Zealand time
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Delivery
Online paper-based
Competition completed
Registration is no longer available.
United Kingdom
• Completed
UKMT Senior Mathematical Challenge (UKSMC)
A 90-minute UKMT individual mathematics challenge for senior secondary students, focused on creative problem-solving and mathematical reasoning.
MATHEMATICS
UKMT Senior Mathematical Challenge (UKSMC)
Competition Overview
Academic Value / Why Participate
SMC rewards clear mathematical thinking rather than speed alone. Students practise interpreting unfamiliar problems, choosing efficient strategies, and working carefully under timed conditions.
It is also a strong stepping stone for students aiming for higher-level UKMT pathways such as the Andrew Jobbings Senior Kangaroo and the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1.
Who It Suits
SMC is best suited to confident mathematics students in NZ Year 11-13, especially those who enjoy algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics and logic.
Advanced younger students may also benefit if they are ready for senior secondary problem-solving questions and a 90-minute challenge format.
Prerequisites and Readiness
No formal qualification or previous competition result is required. Students should be comfortable with senior secondary mathematics and confident tackling unfamiliar, non-routine problems involving algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics and logic. The challenge is best suited to NZ Year 11–13 students, although advanced younger students may participate if they are ready to work independently for 90 minutes without a calculator.
ROUND 1
Open Round
Exam Date & Time
17:00-18:30 Thurs 8 Oct 2026
Registration Deadline
Thursday, 1 October 2026
FURTHER ROUNDS & PROGRESSION
Explore the later stages of the competition. Progression is subject to the organiser's current qualification requirements.
Semifinal Round
The Semifinal Round builds on the earlier stage with more advanced questions and deeper application.
Exam Date & Time
Saturday, 16 May 2026 · 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (NZT)
Registration Deadline
Friday, 1 May 2026 · 11:59 pm (NZT)
Semifinal Round
The Semifinal Round builds on the earlier stage with more advanced questions and deeper application.
Exam Date & Time
Saturday, 16 May 2026 · 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (NZT)
Registration Deadline
Friday, 1 May 2026 · 11:59 pm (NZT)
Semifinal Round
The Semifinal Round builds on the earlier stage with more advanced questions and deeper application.
Exam Date & Time
Saturday, 16 May 2026 · 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (NZT)
Registration Deadline
Friday, 1 May 2026 · 11:59 pm (NZT)
Semifinal Round
The Semifinal Round builds on the earlier stage with more advanced questions and deeper application.
Exam Date & Time
Saturday, 16 May 2026 · 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (NZT)
Registration Deadline
Friday, 1 May 2026 · 11:59 pm (NZT)
All resources
Past Papers
Guide
Rules and
Exam Instructions
A GOOD PLACE TO BEGIN
RESOURCES & PAST PAPERS
Find available practice, curriculum guidance and competition rules.
Practice
THE RIGHT SUPPORT. AT YOUR STAGE
PREPARATION COURSES
Explore the programme, choose a teaching format and review the full tuition before enrolling.
CLASS
Placement for Advanced Class is confirmed after consultation.
STAGE
REGULAR CLASS · OPEN ROUND PREPARATION
Open Round Preparation
Build neuroscience knowledge, then apply it to research figures, experimental evidence and unfamiliar questions.
16 hours total
8 x 2-hour lessons
· Connect neural structures with function and disease.
· Intepret graphs, experiments and research extracts.
· Complete an Open Round-style mock with an individual error review.
Session 1 — Foundations
……Session 2 — Core concepts
……Session 3 — Problem solving
……
Choose your teaching format
Small-group preparation with up to 3 students, offering structured teaching, guided practice and personalised feedback.
16 hours · 8 × 2-hour sessions
NZ$1,060
per student · full programme
Focused preparation for two students learning together, with guided teaching, targeted practice and personalised feedback.
16 hours · 8 × 2-hour sessions
NZ$1,280
per student · full programme
Fully personalised one-to-one preparation with teaching, practice and feedback tailored to the student's needs.
16 hours · 8 × 2-hour sessions
NZ$1,840
per student · full programme
Select a teaching format to view tuition, lesson format and enrolment details.
Competition Gallery
Submission and Confirmation
Please check your email address carefully before submitting the registration form.
Once you submit the form, you will receive a confirmation email automatically.
All other important communications (including the Exam Instructions, Results and Certificates, etc) will be sent to the email address you submitted to us. Please check your email inbox and junk mail / spam folder regularly!
What Happens Next?
1
2
3
4
Registration Received
We will send you a confirmation email
We may review your registration if required
Eligibility Review
You will receive the Exam Instructions closer to the date
Exam Instructions
Participate and do your best!
Competition Day
Competition Overview
UKMT Senior Mathematical Challenge (UKSMC)
The UKMT Senior Mathematical Challenge (SMC) is a first-round individual mathematics competition designed to make students think deeply and creatively. It is aimed at students in Year 13 or below, and is suitable for senior secondary students who enjoy non-routine problem solving.
For 2026, the official competition date is Wednesday 7 October 2026. The challenge lasts 90 minutes and includes 22 multiple-choice questions plus three final questions answered in 000-999 format.
SMC rewards clear mathematical thinking rather than speed alone. Students practise interpreting unfamiliar problems, choosing efficient strategies, and working carefully under timed conditions.
It is also a strong stepping stone for students aiming for higher-level UKMT pathways such as the Andrew Jobbings Senior Kangaroo and the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1.
SMC is best suited to confident mathematics students in NZ Year 11-13, especially those who enjoy algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics and logic.
Advanced younger students may also benefit if they are ready for senior secondary problem-solving questions and a 90-minute challenge format.
UKMT awards certificates based on performance, including Gold, Silver and Bronze levels. Award thresholds may vary by year.
High-scoring students may qualify for follow-on senior competitions, including the Andrew Jobbings Senior Kangaroo or the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1.
SMC is the entry point for UKMT senior individual competitions. Strong performances can lead to invitation-only follow-on rounds such as the Andrew Jobbings Senior Kangaroo and the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1.
Students can prepare by practising past SMC papers, reviewing solutions carefully, and building fluency with non-routine problem-solving strategies.