Last date to register is 26th April 2026.
Registrations for IKMC now open!
Competition date is 5th May 2026.

International
Kangaroo
Mathematics
Competition

Fee:                  BD 12 per student

International Kangaroo Mathematics Competition

Excel in Math Embrace the Challenge!

Founded in 1994 by mathematicians from 10 countries in Strasbourg, France, the International Kangaroo Mathematics Competition was formalized as Kangourou Sans Frontières (KSF) in 1995. Since its inception, the competition has expanded to involve over 120 countries and continues to advance in professionalism and digitalization.

Value

The IKMC is supported by leading educational experts and prestigious universities worldwide. It is designed to enhance students’ critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and mathematical skills.

Benefits for Students

The competition offers intellectual challenges through unique problems, providing international recognition and boosting confidence. It also aids in improving performance on higher education entry tests.

Benefits for Schools

Participating in the IKMC raises educational standards and grants international recognition to schools. It promotes a culture of excellence and intellectual curiosity, contributing to the overall educational progress of the institution.

Participating Countries

120+ countries are members of Kangourou Sans Frontières (KSF) and participate in the IKMC every year. To view the list of participating countries, please visit https://www.aksf.org.

  • All schools in Bahrain are invited to host the IKMC and register their students from grades 1 to 12 for participation. The IKMC will be held simultaneously at all participating institutions across the country on the same day and time. We encourage the participation of the maximum number of students from all public and private schools as well as private institutions. Schools should not refuse any student who is willing to participate in the competition.
  • Registration includes a fee of QAR 100 per student, which covers the costs of organizing the competition. There is no fee for school registration. The competition will be held at your own institution under the supervision of the Principal or a designated Lead Coordinator. Students participate at their grade level.
  • The competition takes the form of a multiple-choice test. For preparation, you may download and view past Kangaroo questions in the download section of this page.
  • At each level of participation, the first prize is awarded at the country level to the students who earn the highest sum of points at their level. Likewise, first prizes are also awarded at the school level. In addition, other prizes are awarded at each level of participation. All participating students receive a certificate of participation.
  • Students compete in six grade categories: Pre-Ecolier (grades 1 and 2), Ecolier (grades 3 and 4), Benjamin (grades 5 and 6), Cadet (grades 7 and 8), Junior (grades 9 and 10), and Student (grades 11 and 12).
  • The competition questions and problems are selected by the AKSF International Committee, which consists of AKSF country members from around the world and includes representatives from all participating countries. The representatives meet at an annual conference each fall, held in a different country each year, to shortlist math problems.
  • The competition consists of a single test; there are no preliminary or final rounds.

  • The competition is held annually in March, on the same day across all participating countries.

  • The test comprises a multiple-choice questionnaire with 24 to 30 questions, depending on the student’s grade level. Each question offers five possible answers.

  • The content of the competition aligns with the mathematics curriculum. Solving the problems requires creativity, logical thinking, and a different perspective, presenting a unique challenge.

  • The competition is conducted in English.

  • The use of calculators, mobile phones, or any other electronic devices is prohibited.

  • The problems are divided into three parts, with each part contributing different point values: 3 points for each problem in the first part, 4 points in the second part, and 5 points in the third part.

  • There is a penalty of 1 point for each incorrect answer. Unanswered questions receive 0 points. To avoid negative scores, students begin with a credit of 24 to 30 points, making the minimum possible score 0 points.

  • Pre-Ecolier Level (Grades 1 & 2): The competition for the Pre-Ecolier level lasts 2 hours. Students are required to solve 24 problems, divided into three categories: eight problems worth 3 points each, eight problems worth 4 points each, and eight problems worth 5 points each. Calculators are not permitted, but basic geometric tools may be used. The scope of the problems includes simple arithmetic operations with 1- and 2-digit numbers, recognizing basic geometric figures, understanding time and clocks, and knowledge of the number of days in a week and months in a year.

  • Ecolier Level (Grades 3 & 4): The competition for the Ecolier level lasts 2 hours. Students must solve 24 problems, distributed as eight problems worth 3 points each, eight problems worth 4 points each, and eight problems worth 5 points each. Calculators are not allowed; basic geometric tools may be used. Problems cover simple arithmetic operations with 1- to 4-digit numbers, recognizing geometric figures, solving a magic square with a sum of 15, understanding time and clocks, calculating the number of days in a week and months in a year, and performing basic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Students will also work with the intersection of sets and find the perimeter and area of squares and rectangles.

  • Benjamin Level (Grades 5 & 6): The competition for the Benjamin level spans 2 hours. Participants are tasked with solving 30 problems, divided into three categories: ten problems worth 3 points each, ten problems worth 4 points each, and ten problems worth 5 points each. The use of calculators is prohibited; basic geometric tools are permitted. The scope includes addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, solving magic squares, working with clocks and calendars, finding the perimeter of polygons, and calculating the area of rectangles and triangles. Students will also study lines, rays, cubes, rectangular solids, and angles (acute, right, and obtuse), and apply mathematical logic.

  • Cadet Level (Grades 7 & 8): For the Cadet level, the competition duration is 2 hours. Students solve 30 problems, divided into three categories: ten problems worth 3 points each, ten problems worth 4 points each, and ten problems worth 5 points each. Calculators are not allowed; basic geometric tools are permissible. Problems involve operations on rational numbers, powers of natural numbers, solving equations and inequalities, and systems of linear equations. Students will calculate the area of rectangles, triangles, and circles, and work with lines, rays, and apply the study of volume and surface area of geometric figures such as cubes and rectangular solids. They will also study angles (acute, right, obtuse), supplementary angles, and the sum of angles in triangles and quadrilaterals, while applying mathematical logic.

  • Junior Level (Grades 9 & 10): The Junior level competition also lasts 2 hours. Students are required to solve 30 problems, distributed as ten problems worth 3 points each, ten problems worth 4 points each, and ten problems worth 5 points each. Calculators are not permitted; basic geometric tools may be used. The scope includes operations on real numbers, functions, polynomials, equations, and inequalities. Students will explore sequences of numbers, elements of combinatorics, synthetic and analytic plane geometry.

  • Student Level (Grades 11 & 12): At the Student level, the competition duration is 2 hours. Students solve 30 problems, categorized as ten problems worth 3 points each, ten problems worth 4 points each, and ten problems worth 5 points each. Calculators are not allowed; basic geometric tools are permitted. The problems involve operations on real numbers, functions, polynomials, equations, and inequalities. Students will work with sequences, combinatorics, and both synthetic and analytic geometry, including both plane and space geometry.

CONDUCTED IN 110+ COUNTRIES

For Classes 1-10

MCQ Based

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Duration: 120 Mins

110+ Participant Countries

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Participation certificate Medals, Badges and other prizes

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BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION

For Students:

1. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: The competitions offer intellectual challenges through unique problems that require critical thinking, logical reasoning, and creativity, helping to develop robust problem-solving abilities.

2. Exposure to Diverse Topics: The competitions cover a wide range of subjects and themes, broadening students’ knowledge beyond standard curricula and sparking interest in new areas of study.

3. International Recognition: Participation leads to awards and recognition on an international scale, enhancing students’ resumes and university applications.

4. Boosted Confidence: Successfully tackling complex problems can significantly boost a student’s confidence in their academic abilities, encouraging a growth mindset.

5. Improving Performance on Higher Education Entry Tests: Engaging with challenging questions aids in improving performance on higher education entry tests, giving students an advantage in their academic pursuits.

6. Development of a Love for Learning: Engaging with innovative and fun problems can inspire a lifelong love of learning and curiosity, encouraging students to pursue further studies in STEM and linguistics fields.

7. Preparation for Future Competitions: Early exposure to competitive environments helps students build resilience and adaptability, preparing them for future academic and professional challenges.

8. Awards and Rewards: Every student participating in the International Kangaroo Competitions receives certificate of participation. The winners get medals, badges and certificates recognized worldwide in all member countries.

For Hosting Schools and Educational Institutions

1. Enhanced Reputation: Schools that participate in International Kangaroo competitions demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence, enhancing their reputation within the community and attracting potential students.

2. Recognition and Awards: Schools with high student participation and strong performance receive awards and recognition. Coordinators and principals also benefit from awards, reinforcing the aim to ensure that no student misses out.

3. Encouragement of STEM and Linguistic Education: Participation emphasizes the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and linguistic education, aligning with global educational trends and standards.

4. Engagement and Motivation: The competitions motivate students and staff, fostering a culture of engagement and enthusiasm for learning, which can lead to improved overall performance in the classroom.

5. Development of Critical Thinking Skills: Schools can promote the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students, preparing them for future academic challenges.

6. Professional Development for Educators: Coordinators and teachers involved in preparing students for the competitions may gain insights and skills that enhance their teaching practices.

7. Holistic Student Development: The competitions encourage a holistic approach to education, focusing on intellectual growth and personal development, which can benefit the school’s overall educational mission.

8. Data and Insights: Participation provides schools with valuable data on student performance and areas for improvement, informing curriculum development and teaching strategies.

Rewards

For Students:

  • International AKSF Certificates of Participation for all students across 110+ participating countries

  • Medals and badges for high-achieving students based on performance

For Educators:

  • Certificates of Appreciation for participating school coordinators and principals

HOW TO REGISTER?

Students may only register through their public, private schools and educational centres/ institutions only.

Instructions for schools to register for IKMC:

1) REGISTER YOUR SCHOOL:
Register your school (free) with official email, school details (Address, contact numbers, Principal and Coordinator information address etc) and set up a password.  Click below to register.

2) LOGIN TO SCHOOL PROFILE:
Once registered, click login (click “School Login on top menu” and enter). Once created, the same school profile should be used to participate in future contests. In case you forgot your password, click “forgot password” to get password change instructions on the registered email.

3) SELECT CONTEST:
Once on school dashboard, click “Contest” > “IKMC”.

4) ADD STUDENTS:
After selecting the desired contest, click “add students”. You need student name, father’s/ guardian’s name and grade/class. Once all students are added, you may proceed to payment.

5) MAKE PAYMENT:
Payments should be sent consolidated i.e BD 12 x total number of students registering for the competition. Payments to be made by the school in the following account via deposit or online transfer:

6) ATTACH PROOF OF PAYMENT:
Attach proof of payment within the contest page after adding all students and making the payment.

7) SUBMIT & CHECK CONFIRMATION EMAIL:
Once complete, submit your entries and you shall get an email confirmation of your participation details on the registered email.

Should you have any questions or require assistance in the registration, please feel free to reach us at info@kangarooBahrain.com and a representative will get in touch.

Downloads - IKMC

Past Exam Papers