SMC 2027 Registration is Now Live!
Discovering the next generation of Mathematicians.
The free contest is open to eligible students worldwide. Register by January 3, 2027 for the first-round online qualifying test on January 9, 2027 at 2:00 PM WAT.
Proudly Organized by
Special Maths Academy
Raising Mathematical Champions
In Partnership With
Free registration closes January 3, 2027
Registration and The First Round
The Junior Category is open to students in Grades 5-9. The Senior Category is open to students in Grades 10-12 and secondary-school graduates under 20 who have not started higher education. To register for free by January 3, 2027, create an account on the participant portal. The first round will take place online on January 9, 2027 at 2:00 PM WAT. Participants may use a laptop, desktop, Android phone, or Android tablet; iOS devices such as iPads are not supported. For more detailed information, review the SMC Guidelines Document.
Timeline
Online Qualifying Test
Participants will answer 25 input-answer questions in two hours, covering Algebra, Number Theory, Geometry, and Combinatorics. You may visit our YouTube channel to view video solutions to last year's problems.
Online Selection Test
Outstanding Round 1 participants will answer 25 multiple-choice questions online in two hours at 2:00 PM WAT. The test is proctored and covers Algebra, Number Theory, Geometry, and Combinatorics.
In-Person Olympiad Competition
Shortlisted participants will solve four Olympiad-style essay problems in five hours. The main competition is on March 20, 2027 at Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja. International qualifiers outside Nigeria will participate virtually.
Prizes
Awards recognize the strongest overall performances, leading Nigerian contestants, and the teachers who support them.
Overall prizes
Cash awards in US dollars
- 1st$450$300Gold medal
- 2nd$300$200Silver medal
- 3rd$200$100Bronze medal
Top Nigerian contestants
Senior winners receive laptops. Junior winners receive tablets.
- 1st₦500,000₦300,000
- 2nd₦250,000₦200,000
- 3rd₦150,000₦100,000
Each winner's teacher receives ₦50,000.
Special recognition
Top Nigerian female
A laptop and ₦75,000, plus ₦50,000 for her teacher.
Teacher award
₦500,000 for the teacher of the best-performing Nigerian student in SS3 or below.
Highlight from a Previous Edition
Below is a video of the in-person closing ceremony of the last edition of the Special Maths Contest.
About Special Maths Contest
Special Maths Contest (SMC) is an initiative of Special Maths Academy (SMA), an Olympiad training organization dedicated to identifying, challenging, and nurturing talented young mathematicians. The contest develops mathematical reasoning and creates pathways to advanced training, mentorship, scholarships, and national and international competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The group is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM WAT for registered participants to ask questions.
Mathematics only.
First Round: 25 input-answer questions (online)
Second Round: 25 multiple-choice questions (online)
Third Round: 4 essay questions (in person)
It is Olympiad-style Mathematics.
The contest consists of three rounds.
First Round: 25 input-answer questions (online)
Second Round: 25 multiple-choice questions (online)
Third Round: 4 essay questions (in person)
Yes, you may use an Android smartphone or tablet.
Yes, you may use an Android smartphone or tablet.
First Round: 2 hours
Second Round: 2 hours
Third Round: 5 hours
The Junior Category is for students in Grades 5-9. The Senior Category is for students in Grades 10-12 and secondary-school graduates under 20.
Both male and female students are eligible.
It is open to students in Grades 5-12 and eligible secondary-school graduates who have not started higher education, within the applicable age bracket of 8-20 years.
Yes. Primary-school students in Grades 5 and 6 are eligible.
Yes, provided they are between 12 and 20 years old.
Yes. The contest is open to Nigerian and diaspora students.
The exam cannot be taken on an iOS device such as an iPad. Android phones and Android tablets are accepted.
Sign in to the exam portal with your registration email and password at exam.specialmathscontest.com.
Select "Forgot Password" to reset it.
No. Each student must register with their own email address.
No.
No. Only outstanding students from the first round will be shortlisted for the second round. The same applies to qualification for the third round.
This depends on the percentage of participants who meet the pass mark.
This depends on the overall performance of participating students in the preceding round.
Nigerian participants will compete at Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja. International participants outside Nigeria will complete the third round online.
Transportation for students will be subsidized or fully covered. Teachers and guardians must cover their own transportation costs.
Note: Accommodation and meals will be provided free of charge throughout the program.
No.
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
All candidates will be monitored by proctoring software embedded in the portal. SMC receives real-time reports while students write the exam. Any breach of the rules or detected malpractice will result in disqualification.
Yes.
Only participants shortlisted for the third round will receive certificates of participation and medals.
Yes.
Yes. Access them on the Past Problems page.
Yes. Access the solution guides on the Special Maths Academy YouTube channel.
The European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad.