Last Chance: Who Should Enter the Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge?
Registration for the 2026 Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge (COMC) is closing soon. Open to eligible students in New Zealand Years 10–13, the COMC offers a chance to tackle mathematics that goes beyond routine classroom exercises.
The competition will take place on Friday, 30 October 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm New Zealand time. It is a 150-minute, paper-based competition delivered online with supervision.
What is the COMC?
The Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge is organised by the Canadian Mathematical Society. Its 12 problems range from introductory questions to more advanced problems requiring fully developed solutions.
Rather than focusing only on quick calculations, the COMC asks students to explore unfamiliar problems, explain their reasoning and communicate mathematical ideas clearly. Students should be ready to work without a calculator.
Who should consider entering?
The COMC may be a good fit for students who:
are in New Zealand Years 10–13;
enjoy mathematics and problem-solving;
like exploring questions that do not have an obvious first step;
are interested in proof-style or Olympiad-style problems;
are willing to explain their reasoning in writing; and
want to challenge themselves with a competition paper.
Students do not need to have won a previous competition to benefit from taking part. A strong interest in mathematical thinking and a willingness to persevere can be a good starting point. At the same time, students should be comfortable with secondary-school mathematics and understand that some questions will be demanding.
What skills does the competition develop?
Working through COMC-style questions gives students practice in skills that are useful both inside and outside mathematics competitions:
Reasoning: Students learn to identify what a problem is asking and decide which information or mathematical ideas may help.
Persistence: Some questions take time to unpack. Trying a new approach after a first attempt does not work is part of the process.
Clear communication: Students practise showing how they reached an answer, so another person can follow the logic behind it.
Creative problem-solving: Unfamiliar questions encourage students to connect concepts and consider more than one possible strategy.
These skills matter even when a student does not solve every problem. The experience itself can help them see how they respond to a substantial mathematical challenge and what they might want to practise next.
What should students expect on competition day?
The COMC runs for 150 minutes and includes 12 problems with a range of difficulty. Students should plan to read each question carefully, keep track of time and show their reasoning clearly. It is normal for some questions to feel much harder than others.
A sensible approach is to start by understanding the problem, noting relevant information and trying a method before getting stuck on one question for too long. If a solution is not immediately clear, students can make progress by writing down what they know, testing a simpler case or looking for a pattern. Clear working can show meaningful reasoning, even when a problem is not fully solved.
How can students prepare?
With the competition date approaching, students can focus on becoming familiar with the style of the challenge rather than trying to learn a large amount of new content at the last minute.
A useful preparation plan is to:
Try a past or sample problem. This helps students see how COMC questions differ from routine exercises.
Practise writing full solutions. Include the reasoning, not just the final answer.
Review familiar secondary-school mathematics. Focus on understanding concepts and how they can be applied in unfamiliar ways.
Practise without a calculator. This helps students get comfortable working through calculations by hand.
Reflect on the process. After attempting a problem, consider which ideas helped and where a different approach might work.
Preparation should leave students feeling ready to engage with the questions, not pressured to solve everything in advance.
Recognition and future opportunities
Students compete in the COMC Global Division. Awards may include Gold, Silver, Bronze and Honourable Mention, with recognition determined by the Canadian Mathematical Society’s criteria. Strong performance may also provide preparation for higher-level mathematics competitions.
Awards can be a motivating goal, but they are only one part of the experience. For many students, the value lies in trying a demanding paper, discovering new ways to approach a problem and gaining confidence in their mathematical thinking.
Registration closes soon
The 2026 COMC is open to eligible New Zealand students in Years 10–13. The competition takes place on Friday, 30 October, from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm NZ time,
If the COMC sounds like a good fit, check the event information and complete registration before the deadline.
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