Attention families of mathletes, this blog is for you. If your child demonstrates a love of math and is looking for more challenge, you may want to consider offering math enrichment. There are many ways to provide additional opportunities and activities outside of the classroom including professional math tutoring, clubs and official competitions. Annually in the month of March, Canadian students from coast to coast in grades 1 to 12 have a unique extracurricular opportunity to participate in the Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest. If this international math competition is new to you, not to fret, our online and in-person tutoring team rounded up everything you need to know about the CMKC. Whether your child is participating this year, or you are interested in learning more for future, read on!
It’s no secret that the Teachers on Call in-person and online tutoring service regularly promotes recreational reading through our Hooked on Books series. Similarly, our math tutors are often asked to support math enrichment for students who enjoy problem-solving and want to sharpen their critical thinking abilities within the school curriculum. For teachers and parents looking for official competitions, the CMKC is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organization with the goal of promoting extracurricular math (in English and French). Many of the in-person test locations are hosted in universities, which is also an exciting experience for elementary and high school students. To simplify the process for you, we have rounded up details that students, teachers and families need to know about this program!
Contest Format for the 6 Categories:
Grades 1 & 2
- Format: 18 multiple-choice questions, arranged in increasing difficulty, to be answered in 45 minutes.
Grades 3 & 4
- Format: 24 multiple-choice questions, arranged in increasing difficulty, to be answered in 60 minutes.
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Grades 5 & 6
Grades 7 & 8
Grades 9 & 10
Grades 11 & 12
- Format: For grades 5-12, there are 30 multiple-choice questions, arranged in increasing difficulty, to be answered in 75 minutes.
Contest Rules:
- Calculators, cell phones, geometry sets and textbooks are not permitted.
- For in-person contest, students can bring 2 pencils with erasers, 1 pen, snack and/or drink. Scrap paper is provided on site.
- For the online contest, parents are NOT permitted to read, give hints, or explain the questions to students.
Contest Content and Practice:
CMKC content is covered in the provincial math curriculum. The multiple-choice questions require students to display creativity, logical and critical thinking skills. Many students are given the opportunity to register through their schools and practice in extracurricular math clubs with their teachers and peers during recess or lunch time. For additional resources and sample tests, you can access on the official CMKC website.
Contest Marks and Grading Policies:
While contestants in different school grades write the same competition, they are evaluated only for their school grade. For example, grade 3 contestants are not ranked with grade 4 participants, even though they write the same test.
The problems are divided in three categories, A, B, and C, by the level of difficulty. Each category consists of 6, 8, or 10 problems.
- Group A problems are worth three points
- Group B problems are worth four points
- Group C problems are worth five points
There is a penalty of one point for each incorrect answer. If the question is left unanswered, it is worth 0 points. The maximum score attained is 90, 120 or 150 points. To avoid negative scores, each student begins with 18, 24, or 30 points. Hence, the minimum score possible is 0 points.
CMKC Results and Awards:
Contest results are released and award status announced approximately 1 month or so after the competition. This can be viewed by logging into student's account. Winners lists and answer keys are available around mid-April.
Students who write the in-person contest are eligible to receive national or regional awards. While students who participate online are only eligible for the regional awards given there is no official supervision.
An awards ceremony is generally held in late May or early June and is open to all award winners and their families. Details are emailed to winners in early May.
CMKC Details for March 2024:
Competition Date (online and in-person): Sunday March 24, 2024
Registration Fee: $17 - $25, although some schools may cover cost, subsidize or have access to discounts for their students. All student participants must be signed up by deadline through a family or teacher account.
Timing: Check-in and start times may be different based on location. It is recommended to check your account carefully and watch for emails from your location organizer closer to the date of the test.
Check-in Process: Please follow instructions sent by your host organizer and arrive by designated time to get your student registered and seated in time for contest instructions. Students must bring a form of ID during check-in (ie. Report Card, Student Card, Drivers License, Passport, etc.)
Check-out Process: Parents and guardians are asked to be mindful of the contest duration. Students will be released as soon as they finish the test or ask to be released. Please plan accordingly. Students in Grades 1 – 6 should have a parent/guardian at the door for pickup. Students in Grades 7 and up will be dismissed on their own after the contest writing is done. Families of students grades 1 – 4 are asked to bring a form of ID for verification upon pickup.
In-Person Participating Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest Locations:
Alberta Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest Locations
Calgary
Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6
Renert School at Royal Vista in northwest Calgary, 14 Royal Vista Link, NW Calgary, AB T3R 0K4
Camrose
University of Alberta, Augustana Campus, 4901 - 46 Avenue, Camrose, AB T4V 2R3
Concordia University of Edmonton, 7128 Ada Boulevard Hole Academic Centre Building, Edmonton, AB T5B 4E4
MacEwan University, 10700 - 104 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2
Fort McMurray
Keyano College, 8115 Franklin Ave, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2H7
Grande Prairie
Northwestern Polytechnic, 10726-106 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4C4
Lethbridge
University of Lethbridge, Department of Math and CS, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4
Parkland
Spruce Grove Public Library, 35 5 Ave, Parkland County, AB T7X 2C4
British Columbia Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest Locations
Castlegar
Selkirk College, 301 Frank Beinder Way, Castlegar, BC V1N 4L3
Okanagan College, Kelowna Campus, 1000 K.L.O Road, Kelowna, BC V1Y 4X8
Prince George
University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9
Douglas College, New Westminster Campus, 700 Royal Ave, New Westminster, BC V3M 5Z5
Hillhouse Education Inc., Suite 110, 3479 Dunbar Street, Vancouver, BC V6S 2C3
YES Education Centre, 204 - 2112 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2C8
Manitoba Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest Locations
Brandon
Brandon University, 270 18th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
Winnipeg
University of Manitoba, 420 Machray Hall 186 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9
New Brunswick Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest Locations:
Sackville
Mount Allison University, 230 Dunn Building, 67 York St, Sackville, NB E4L1E4
Saint John
University of New Brunswick, Saint John Campus, Ganong Hall 100 Tucker Park Rd, Saint John, NB E2L 4l5
Newfoundland & Labrador Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest Locations:
St. Johns
Memorial University of Newfoundland, Dept. Math and Stats, 230 Elizabeth Ave, St. Johns, NL A1C 5S7
Nova Scotia Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest Locations:
Halifax
Dalhousie University, the Chase Building on Lord Dalhousie Drive, 6316 Coburg Road, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
Ontario Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest Locations:
Blue Sky: An Acton Academy, 581 Cheryl Street, Cornwall, ON K6K1N5
Humber College, Lakeshore Campus, 3199 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Toronto/Etobicoke, ON M8V 1K8
Toronto Metropolitan University, Dept. of Math, 350 Victoria Street, ON M5B 2K3
University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4
University of Toronto, St. George Downtown Toronto Campus, Bahen Centre for Information Technology, 40 St. George St. Toronto, ON M5S 2E4
York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3
University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus, 3359 Mississauga Road, Deerfield Hall, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6
University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1
ArcelorMittal Dofasco, 1330 Burlington Street East, Hamilton, ON L8N 3J5
McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton (McMaster), ON L8S 4K1
Kingston
Queen’s University, 64 Bader Lane, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
Western University, Western Science Center, Room 262, London, ON N6A 5B7
North Bay
Nipissing University, 100 College Drive, North Bay, ON P1B 8L7
Orillia
Lakehead University, Orillia Campus, 500 University Avenue, Orillia, ON L3V 0B9
Oshawa
Trent University, Durham GTA Campus, 55 Thornton Road South, Oshawa, ON L1Y 5Y1
Ottawa
Carleton University, School of Mathematics and Statistics, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6
Trent University, Peterborough Campus, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 0G2
Sarnia
Lambton College, 1457 London Rd, Sarnia, ON N7S 6K4
St. Catherines
Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1
Laurentian University, Dept. of Math & Computer Science, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6
Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B5E1
Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5
University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4
Prince Edward Island Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest Location:
Charlottetown
University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3
Quebec Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest Location:
Montreal
Concordia University, John Molson School of Business, 1450 Guy Street, Montreal, QC H3H 0A1
Saskatchewan Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest Location:
Regina
University of Regina, 3737 Wascana ParkwayRegina, SK S4S 0A2
Saskatoon
Walter Murray Collegiate, 1905 Preston AvenueSaskatoon, SK S7J 2E7
*It’s recommended to check official contest website and your student account closer to date to confirm full details. Participating host locations may also post instructions on their websites, such as University of Toronto, Western University, and University of Northern British Columbia.
We hope this blog has been helpful to learn more about this math enrichment opportunity for Canadian students. Wishing all of our math students the best of luck!
