Rwanda Mathematics Competition (RMC)

The Rwanda Mathematics Competition (RMC) is a nationwide event that involves over 30,000 junior students (S1-S3) and over 8,000 senior students (S4-S5) from more than 900 high schools across the country. The competition is structured into three rounds, each consisting of a three-hour exam.

Competition Structure

Round 1:

• Participation: 30,000 juniors and 8,000 seniors.
• Format: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) marked centrally using a bot.
• Location: Held in schools.
• Advancement: The top 10,000 juniors and 4,000 seniors move to Round 2.

Round 2:

• Format: MCQs marked centrally using a bot.
• Location: Held in schools.
• Advancement: The top 600 juniors and 400 seniors move to Round 3.

Round 3:

• Format: More advanced exams.
• Location: Held in schools.
• Advancement: The top 50 juniors and 40 seniors are invited to a physical camp.

Final Training Camp:

• Participants: Over 90 students, including 50 juniors and 40 seniors.
• Objective: To provide continuous training to enhance their Olympiad mathematics skills.
• Equal Representation: The competition ensures equal representation of boys and girls at each stage.

Notes: The RMC reaches approximately 80% of secondary schools in Rwanda and we are still trying to increase this number of participants to +90% by 2026 . The competition is held between February and May each year, in collaboration with the University of Rwanda and the University of Waterloo, supporting the competition.

RwMO in-person and online camps:

The Rwanda Mathematics Olympiad hosts both online and physical camps, typically lasting one week at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS). These camps gather around 45 students to engage in open discussions and debates on various concepts and theorems. They aim to deepen understanding, enhance problem-solving skills, and make mathematics more accessible and exciting. For students unable to attend, resources are available on the Rwanda Mathematics Olympiad website to continue enhancing their problem-solving abilities and prepare for future competitions.

Additionally, every year, we support six students to participate in the International Summer Camp, further enriching their mathematical knowledge and skills on a global stage.

Our camps Structure

In-person camp:

• Participation: +50 juniors and +40 seniors equally boys and girls.
• Format: The students get the trainings face to face from the Olympiad coaches.
• Location: We mostly work from AIMS, Rwanda.
• Trainers: Rwanda Mathematics Olympiad Alumini/coaches
• Period: 14 days

Online Trainings:

• Participation: +50 juniors and +50 seniors equally boys and girls.
• Format: The students get the resources from our websites, but also can reach out to our coaches in case they need a help.
• Location: Online, the students work from their home.
• Trainers: Rwanda Mathematics Olympiad Alumini/coaches
• Period: 14 days,

At the end of the camp or Training:

At the end of the camp, students take mathematics exams to evaluate their progress and measure their improvemente

RwMO in-person and online camps:

The Rwanda Mathematics Olympiad hosts online mentorship to the students who are going for the international Mathematics Competitions.

Our students engage in self-directed learning to maximize their potential in mathematical problem-solving, focusing particularly on preparing for competitions such as the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). They utilize a blend of technological tools and traditional methods to enhance their learning experiences.

Here’s how we conduct our online training:

Enhancing Student Engagement with Remote Learning:

• Motivation Strategies: We design activities and materials to keep students motivated to learn remotely, leveraging upcoming competitions and events to inspire self-motivation.
• Cultural and Socioeconomic Considerations: We analyze and address cultural and socioeconomic factors influencing student engagement, tailoring our approaches accordingly.

Facilitating Remote Coach-Student Interactions:

• Communication Tools: We utilize various tools such as video calls, chat platforms, and forums to maintain effective communication between students and coaches.
• Collaborative Platforms: We use online collaboration tools to facilitate meaningful interactions, ensuring continuous support and guidance regardless of geographical distance.

• Platform Selection: We identify and evaluate online platforms suitable for students based on language levels, educational backgrounds, math proficiency, and access to technology.
• Usability and Accessibility: We assess the usability and accessibility of platforms to ensure they meet students' needs and enhance their learning experience.
• Resource Provision: We provide access to effective and user-friendly online learning platforms, forums, and educational resources.

Notes:By focusing on these areas, we create a robust and supportive online training environment that maximizes our students' potential and prepares them for success in mathematical competitions.

RwMO Invitational Selection Test:

The Rwanda Mathematics Olympiad hosts online mentorship to the students who are going for the international Mathematics Competitions.

The invitational selection test is designed for students who have demonstrated exceptional performance during our online mentorship program. This test serves as a recognition of their dedication and progress in mastering mathematical problem-solving skills. It provides them with an opportunity to further showcase their abilities and potentially advance to the next level of our specialized training, aimed at nurturing talent for competitive mathematics.

Our Test Structure

• Participation: +50 juniors and +40 seniors are invited to come at AIMS.
• Format: Deatiled questions, mostly 6 questions and 7 marks per each.
• Location: We mostly work from AIMS, Rwanda.
• Examiner: Rwanda Mathematics Olympiad coaches
• Period: 3 hours

Notes:Those who excel in this test may earn an invitation to our January camp, where they receive intensive training to further

Our story in International Mathematics competitions

Team Rwanda Mathematics Olympiad actively participates in several prestigious international Math Olympiads , including the East African Math Olympiad (EAMO), Pan-African Math Olympiad (PAMO), and International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). Additionally, we currently attend the East Africa Math Olympiad online and aspire to join the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad in the future. Each year, approximately 20 talented students are selected to represent Rwanda in these esteemed competitions, providing them with invaluable opportunities to showcase their mathematical abilities and passion.

Rwanda has swiftly risen to prominence among Africa's top-performing nations in these competitions, demonstrating remarkable progress year after year. Our achievements speak volumes:

• Achieving an impressive 4th place in PAMO 2023, following only Morocco, South Africa, and Algeria
• Securing 4 Silver, 5 Bronze medals, and earning 2 Honourable Mentions in PAMO over the past three years
• Garnering 4 Honourable Mentions in the IMO during the same period
• Excelling better than 24.3% of teams globally at the IMO
• Tying for 1st place in EAMO, even with our development team's participation

Highlighting our commitment to excellence, Rwanda proudly hosted PAMO 2023 in Kigali with just six months' preparation. This event not only showcased the exceptional talent of Rwandan and African participants but also marked a significant milestone:

• Expanding participation from 9 countries in 2022 to an impressive 31 countries and welcoming 180 students
• Introducing innovative additions to PAMO, including Virtual Participation, a Careers Fair, Excursions, Games Rooms, and Math on the Street
• Live-streaming the event to a global audience, shining a spotlight on African achievements in mathematics

Currently, our team leaders and deputies are selected from our pool of coaches, encouraging them to improve and providing leadership opportunities. We strategically choose younger or developing students for EAMO and PAMO to enhance their likelihood of performing strongly at the IMO in subsequent years.

These accomplishments underscore Rwanda's dedication to nurturing mathematical talent and promoting excellence on the international stage. We look forward to continuing our journey of success and inspiring future generations of mathematicians across Africa and beyond.