Känguru der Mathematik or Mathematical Kangaroo is an international mathematical competition held in 92 countries across the world. There are six levels of the competition from grade 1 to grade 12. Grade 1 and 2 competitors will take the same test, grade 3 and 4 students will take their test (which is distinct from grade 1 and 2’s test), and similarly, up to grade 11 and 12. The test will check the student’s application of knowledge and not just use formulae. The competition is hosted by different countries each year and each of the countries have the official association of Mathematical Kangaroo in the respective countries. In the US, the highest scoring student will also be awarded as a state winner.
From the name “Kangaroo”, you could probably guess that it first started in Australia. A team of mathematicians from Australia had this idea to start a competition that celebrates the joy of solving mathematical problems in a fun and creative way. So, a multiple choice test was created for the first time in 1978. Multiple choice questions (MCQs) of all types are formed in this mathematical test for children of all ages from grade 1 to grade 12. The skills that are required and are tested in children are logical thinking, computational thinking, mathematics knowledge, creative thinking, and perseverance.
Personally, we feel this is a really good test for children. and we appreciate the test makers for the same. This is a great promotion for mathematics and often countries participate in this competition under the olympiad banner.
Some of the sample questions that appear on the test for grade 4 and 5 are as below:
Question 1:
Each of the ball weighs 10 or 20 or 30 or 40 grams.
Which ball weighs 30 grams?
Question 2:
The sum of the ages of a boy and his sister is 25.
The product of their ages is 150. Find their present ages.
Registration & Eligibility
Any student that is currently enrolled in grades 1 through 12 (or homeschooled equivalent) is eligible to participate. They must register to a center several months prior to the testing date and pay a small participation fee. After the registration deadline students may still compete, but the fee increases and does not guarantee a spot. Students must take the contest at the registered center. The center they register does not have to be in their home state or country, so competitors often register for a testing site that is the closest or most convenient for them despite being outside of the state.
Competitors will automatically be placed in a specific level according to their grades. For example, someone in grade 5 will be placed in level 5.
Kangaroo Mathematics – Test Format
Levels 1 through 4 tests are made up of 24 problems, each multiple choice with 5 possible answer choices. The remaining levels have tests with 30 problems, each multiple choice with 5 possible answer choices.
The tests are divided into three parts – easy, moderate, and difficult. Most of the questions you will see will be around discrete mathematics (number theory, counting, and probability), geometry, and especially three dimensional geometry. There are no problems on the topics trigonometry and calculus.
Kangaroo Mathematics – Sample Test Paper
Download the Sample Grade 3 & 4 Test Paper
At UnicMinds, we provide online tutoring for kids preparing for the Kangaroo Mathematics exam for all ages and levels. To book a trial class, click here.
To learn more about US Kangaroo Math, watch the below video.
Hope this useful, thank you.
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