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  Mathematics Division

FAQ - Excellence in Mathematics High School Competition

1. How do I register students to participate in this event?

Online registration must be received by October 25th, 2008. (below).

Register online

See downloads for a printable version.

2. Why are you charging a $5.00 entry fee?

The five dollar fee is to help defray the cost of the event. This fee helps us to be able to provide students with lunch and beverages. It also helps defray the cost of the awards, trophies, and supplies associated with the event.

See downloads for participation fee forms.

3. How many students are allowed per grade level?

Each school may register a maximum of 24 students.

  • Level I students must be currently enrolled in pre-calculus or higher classes with one to twelve students participating.

  • Level II students must be currently enrolled in classes below pre-calculus with one to twelve students participating.

  • Every student will participate in the individual multiple choice competition and in the team competition. 

  • For the team project, students will be divided into teams of four, or fewer if there aren't twelve students.

  • 4. Where do I check-in the students on the day of this event?

    Check-in will be held outside the Student Center building near the Student Pavilion on the CGCC campus. You will be asked to confirm that the students that you registered online are in attendance. If you need to make substitutions, you must report this during the check-in process. To insure that the process goes smoothly, we ask that only the sponsor/proctor check-in the students from your school. During check-in the sponsor/proctor will be given the following information:

  •  Room assignments for all students. Substitutes should go to the room assigned to the original student registered.

  • Room assignments and instructions for proctors.

    Please arrive early enough so that you can familiarize yourself with the procedures.

  • 5. Where can I park?

    The parking lot most convenient to the check-in area is located on the west side of campus in lot 6. If you are not familiar with the CGCC campus please refer to the map.

    6. When are awards given out?

    The awards ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m. Parents are welcome to attend this portion of the contest. Awards will be given separately for both levels of competition as well as for individual, team project, and top school.

    7. How does the Individual Competition Test work?

    The individual competition tests will be multiple-choice and machine scored. Each test will consist of 40 questions. Students will have 60 minutes for the test. Pencils and scratch paper will be provided. Students are permitted to use a graphic calculator during the test. In other words, Texas Instrument (such as the TI-8X) or other graphic calculators will be allowed.  However graphic calculators with wireless transfer capabilities are not allowed. 

    The contest questions are sometimes quite difficult and often non-traditional. If your students are unable to do some of the problems, please tell them to not be discouraged and to do their best!

    Awards will be given to the top ten individuals in each level.

    8. How does the Team Project work?

    Each school will divide their students into teams of four students to compete in a collaborative group problem solving / writing activity. This part of the competition will last for 60 minutes.  Please remember to designate your team competitors in the online registration form.

    Research in mathematics education has shown that collaborative group projects/problem solving activities can be used to:

  • Pose more difficult and open-ended problems that are more rich and demanding than problems of simple low-level skills.

  • Require the students to explain and discuss the concepts with each other thereby helping them to learn.

  • Present math problems in context and ask the students to provide solutions in context too.

  • Help students learn math at a deeper level of understanding at both the conceptual and skill levels.

  • Aid the students in feeling more comfortable using technology as a tool to solve mathematics problems.

  • 9.      What is the Top School Award?

    By level, each school's points will be tallied by participant.  Each student's individual test score and team project score will be used to determine the award.

    10.     How many sponsors should be there?

    Each school must provide at least one faculty sponsor per level to help proctor the tests. Please list the proctors' names in the appropriate space on the registration form.

    10. What should we bring?

    PHOTO RELEASE FORM - Please have each student that you bring fill out a photo release form. This form must be signed by their parent/guardian so it is necessary to download this form prior to the day of the event. We would like to take pictures of award winners and post them on the college's website and need this documentation in order to do so.

    See downloads for a copy of this form.


    CALCULATOR - Remember to have students BRING THEIR OWN graphic calculators. Pencils and scratch paper will be provided.