UK Bebras Challenge
A 45-minute online computational thinking challenge. PEC sitting: Thursday 12 November 2026, 5:00–5:45 pm No programming experience is required.
COMPUTING & INFORMATICS
UK Bebras Challenge
Competition Overview
PEC sitting: Thursday 12 November 2026, 5:00–5:45 pm, New Zealand daylight time (NZDT, UTC+13). Complete one supervised 45-minute online challenge. PEC registration fee: NZ$35 per student. Register through the linked PEC form and upload payment evidence. Official participation is subject to organiser eligibility approval and PEC confirmation.
Academic Value / Why Participate
The UK Bebras Challenge gives students an opportunity to practise the thinking skills that underpin computer science and support learning across mathematics and other subjects.
Its tasks encourage students to recognise patterns, follow logical rules, organise information and approach unfamiliar problems systematically. Students learn to look beyond trial and error, compare possible solutions and understand why a particular approach works.
For younger students, Bebras provides an accessible introduction to computational thinking. For older students, it offers an opportunity to apply and extend their reasoning skills through increasingly demanding problems.
Who It Suits
The UK Bebras Challenge suits students in New Zealand Years 2–13 who enjoy puzzles, patterns, logical reasoning or discovering how things work.
No coding experience or specialist computer science knowledge is required. Students can take part whether they are exploring computing for the first time or already have an interest in mathematics, programming and problem-solving.
With six age-based groups, the challenge offers suitable entry points for a wide range of learners. It is particularly appealing to curious students who enjoy thinking independently and tackling unfamiliar questions.
Prerequisites and Readiness
No coding experience is needed. Use a computer or tablet with an internet-connected browser. Students must be supervised. Paper, a pencil and a calculator are allowed. Websites and reference materials may not be used to solve tasks. Work independently, except approved Kits or Castors teams of up to three. Do not discuss tasks or solutions until the official challenge window closes.
ROUND 1
Open Round
PEC sitting: Thursday 12 November 2026, 5:00–5:45 pm, New Zealand daylight time (NZDT, UTC+13). Complete one supervised 45-minute online challenge. PEC registration fee: NZ$35 per student. Register through the linked PEC form and upload payment evidence. Official participation is subject to organiser eligibility approval and PEC confirmation.
Exam Date & Time
17:00–17:45, Thurs 12 Nov 2026 (NZDT)
Registration Deadline
Sunday, 8 November 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
Practice
2025
Official ages 6–8; suggested NZ Years 2–3. Free 2025 practice — no login required. Scores are not saved. Use the age range as a guide if unsure.
2025 Practice — Kits | NZ Years 2–3
Practice
2025
Official ages 14–16; suggested NZ Years 10–11. Free 2025 practice — no login required. Scores are not saved. Use the age range as a guide if unsure.
2025 Practice — Seniors | NZ Years 10–11
Showing 4 of 12 resources
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
UK Bebras Challenge
The UK Bebras Challenge introduces students to computational thinking through engaging puzzles and interactive problems. Organised by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, it encourages students to identify patterns, analyse information and develop logical solutions without needing any prior programming experience.
The 45-minute online challenge offers age-appropriate tasks across six groups, from Kits to Elites. Students explore ideas connected to computer science, such as algorithms, information processing and breaking complex problems into manageable steps.
The UK Bebras Challenge gives students an opportunity to practise the thinking skills that underpin computer science and support learning across mathematics and other subjects.
Its tasks encourage students to recognise patterns, follow logical rules, organise information and approach unfamiliar problems systematically. Students learn to look beyond trial and error, compare possible solutions and understand why a particular approach works.
For younger students, Bebras provides an accessible introduction to computational thinking. For older students, it offers an opportunity to apply and extend their reasoning skills through increasingly demanding problems.
The UK Bebras Challenge suits students in New Zealand Years 2–13 who enjoy puzzles, patterns, logical reasoning or discovering how things work.
No coding experience or specialist computer science knowledge is required. Students can take part whether they are exploring computing for the first time or already have an interest in mathematics, programming and problem-solving.
With six age-based groups, the challenge offers suitable entry points for a wide range of learners. It is particularly appealing to curious students who enjoy thinking independently and tackling unfamiliar questions.
Every participant receives a certificate recognising their participation and achievement. Awards are assessed within each challenge group.
• Gold: awarded to the top 10% of participants nationally in each challenge group.
• Best in School: awarded to the highest-scoring student in each challenge group within a school.
• Distinction: awarded to the top 25% within each school’s challenge group.
• Merit: awarded to the next 25% within each school’s challenge group.
• Participation: awarded to the remaining participants.Gold awards use national score boundaries, while Distinction, Merit and Participation certificates reflect performance within the school group.
The UK Bebras Challenge provides a starting point for further exploration of computational thinking and programming.
A subsequent opportunity is the Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge, designed for students aged 10 and above. This supervised, 45-minute challenge asks students to develop programmed solutions, with block-based and text-based options available at two difficulty levels.
Under the current organiser rules, entry is open to schools and students who participated in the preceding UK Bebras Challenge. Participation is not restricted to Gold Award recipients. Any opportunity offered through Pinnacle Exam Centre will be communicated separately once eligibility and arrangements are confirmed.