Overview
The New Zealand Mathematical Olympiad (NZMO) is the main selection competition run by the New Zealand Maths Olympiad committee. It feeds the programme that selects and trains the New Zealand team for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
Who can apply
Round One is open to any New Zealand student. Round Two is by invitation only, based on Round One results.
Exam pattern
| Round | Format | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| NZMO1 | Take-home exam of 8 problems, about two weeks, solutions submitted online; no pre-registration | Starts in June |
| NZMO2 | Three-hour in-person exam, by invitation | August or September |
Marking and results
Gold, silver, bronze and honourable mention awards are given on Round Two results. Individual scores are not disclosed to participants.
Important dates
Round One starts in June and Round Two is held in August or September. See the event calendar on the official site for current dates.
After the exam
The results of both rounds are used to pick about 30 students for the January training camp the following year, plus a camp for female and non-binary students in May or June. These camps are the first step in choosing the six-student IMO team.
How to apply
No registration is needed for Round One; find the problems and submission instructions on the official site. No fee is mentioned on the page read.
Do I need to be invited to start?
No. Any New Zealand student can attempt Round One. Only Round Two is by invitation.