Overview
The Sri Lankan Mathematics Competition (SLMC) is the first stage of the Sri Lankan Mathematical Olympiad (SLMO), run by the Sri Lanka Olympiad Mathematics Foundation. The Foundation describes it as the stepping stone to the SLMO, which ultimately selects Sri Lanka's representatives for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). The SLMO has run every year since 2004. The most recent edition whose page was readable for this review is SLMC 2024.
Who can enter
The SLMC is open to students from grade 3 to grade 13, in Sinhala, Tamil or English, and the Foundation says it is open to students from local and international schools. For 2024 there were five levels, and a student's level depended on date of birth:
| Level | Born |
|---|---|
| SLMC 4 | On or after 1 February 2015 |
| SLMC 5 | 1 February 2014 to 31 January 2015 |
| SLMC 8 | 1 February 2011 to 31 January 2014 |
| SLMC 11 | 1 February 2008 to 31 January 2011 |
| SLMC 13 | 1 February 2006 to 31 January 2008 |
Levels or stages
SLMC
The Foundation describes the SLMC as 30 multiple-choice questions, with a 90-minute limit described for the competition overall, set in situations students can relate to everyday life. The 2024 page splits video solutions into easy (questions 1 to 10), medium (11 to 20) and hard (21 to 30) groups. High distinction and distinction certificates go to strong performers, and students in grades 6 to 11 who score creditably can receive honourable mentions under a mark-distribution rule set by the Foundation.
Later stages
SLMCC (Sri Lankan Mathematics Challenge Competition): five essay-type problems in four and a half hours. The first 30 students in the SLMC are invited, all participants receive participation certificates, and the first six receive medals (one gold, two silver, three bronze). The top 10 to 15 SLMCC participants are invited to the IMO Team Selection Tests, which choose a team of at most six students for the IMO.
For 2024, the Foundation also listed a short-answer Sri Lankan Intermediate Mathematics Challenge Competition and Sri Lankan Junior Mathematics Competition, held in person, with entry to the essay SLMCC based on the intermediate challenge.
Important dates
For the 2024 edition:
SLMC (multiple choice): 22 December 2024, online. Registration closed on 10 December 2024.
Short-answer challenge competitions: 2 March 2025, in person.
SLMCC (essay): 27 April, in person.
IMO team selection tests: May, in person.
The Foundation's page for the current or next competition was out of date when reviewed, so check slmathsolympiad.org for later dates.
Fees
For the 2024 edition, the SLMC fee was LKR 2,000. The short-answer challenge competitions cost LKR 4,000, and were free for the top 25 in each of SLMC 4, 5, 8, 11 and 13. The SLMCC and the IMO team selection tests were free.
How to apply
Create an account on the Foundation's website, then submit an application for the competition from your account.
Preparation tips
Practise past SLMC papers for your level, in the language you will sit it.
Practise working through easy, medium and hard questions in order within the time limit.
Which language is the test in?
You can sit it in Sinhala, Tamil or English.
Is the SLMC online?
The 2024 SLMC multiple-choice round was online, while the later stages were in person. Check the current year's notice.