The MATHCOUNTS organization is a large nonprofit that pursues its mission of providing challenging math problems across the U.S. to improve the general attitudes and minds of students. They provide three excellent programs, with its main course being its national renown competition.
In this competition series, students nationwide compete on three different levels: Local, State, and Nationals.
"We cultivate talent in the nation's brightest young minds through the MATHCOUNTS Competition Series. We bring together students from all 50 states in a series of in-person contests—the only competition program of its kind..." - MATHCOUNTS
The competition series was first launched in 1983, and to its ends was a "big hit". It was known as "the" middle school math competition because of its questions that most people had never seen before. It made young kids want to think in new inspiring ways, which ultimately led to brighter minds. To understand this competition better, we must look through the three levels that this series offers.
Chapter Exam:
Before the Chapter exam, usually, your school will provide a "school exam" that comes beforehand. This will tell your MATHCOUNTS coach who to put on the team. Anyone can be part of the club, but only a limited number can be in the participating team representing your school. The teams are split into the A-Team and the B-Team. The A-Team determines whether if your school makes the State Competition or not, and the B-Team serves as more of an "experience" for students. The B-Team competition comes with a special recognition award that goes to the overall number one ranked B-Team student. Ranking is determined by two separate rounds:
Sprint Round:
The Sprint Round is an individual score that does not affect whether your team will go to States, however, will determine your overall individual score along with the Target Round. The Sprint Round is 40 minutes with 30 questions that are all no calculator and no multiple choice.
Target Round:
The Target Round is an individual score that does not affect whether your team will go to States, however, will determine your overall individual score along with the Sprint Round. The Target Round is 4 pairs of two questions each, with each pair being 6 minutes. Your coach will give you each pair one at a time after you finish the previous pair. This is calculator-based and also non-multiple choice.
Team Round:
The Team Round is an overall score for your school that is the sole factor of whether your school makes States or not. The Team Round consists of 10 questions with a 20-minute time limit. Calculators are allowed. The A-Team and B-Team both get this test, however, only the A-Team test will count towards state qualification. The Top Three teams with the highest scores go on to the States competition.
Countdown Round:
The Top 10 individuals that rank the highest within the Target and Sprint Round will enter the Countdown Round. It is an elimination process with a few "byes" involved with the very high top-ranked individuals in the Top 10. Two students will be facing off in a one-on-one with the first to three questions correct wins. An announcer will say the problem along with the problem presented on a big screen. When the announcer starts speaking a timer of 45 seconds counts down. Within that time, whichever student presses the buzzer in front of them first and answers the question correctly gets a point. If the student does not get the question correct, he or she may not answer again, and now it is up to the other student to answer the problem. If he or she answers the question correctly, then they will get the point. If no one answers correctly or can not figure the problem out by the countdown, no one gets the point. The winner of the Countdown Round is the #1 individual in the Chapter Competition.
Conclusion:
The Chapter Competition is a great way to refine your math skills, and in the end have a great experience!
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