Major Changes to UKMT Junior Kangaroo and Olympiad Competitions for 2025
The United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) has announced significant changes to its Junior mathematical competitions for 2025. These changes will affect how students prepare for and participate in the Junior Mathematical Olympiad (JMO) and Junior Kangaroo competitions, both scheduled for June 10th, 2025.
Junior Mathematical Olympiad: Major Format Revision
The JMO has undergone a restructuring:
Section A eliminated: The 10 short-answer questions have been removed entirely
New format: Only 6 Olympiad-style questions – all requiring full written solutions, just like the previous section B of the paper. Each question is worth exactly 10 marks (60 marks total) with most of the marks given for the quality of the written solution.
Duration unchanged: Still 2 hours to complete
This shift emphasises mathematical reasoning and proof-writing skills over quick problem-solving, challenging the top 1,200 participants (approx) from the Junior Mathematical Challenge as well as many more students making discretionary entries.
Junior Kangaroo: Enhanced Certificate Structure
While the Junior Kangaroo format remains the same (60-minute, 25 multiple-choice questions), the recognition system has been completely revised:
Gold Kangaroo Certificate: Top 10% of participants
Silver Kangaroo Certificate: Next 20% of participants
Bronze Kangaroo Certificate: Next 30% of participants
This replaces the previous system, where only the top 25% received Merit certificates, significantly expanding the opportunities for students to earn certificates.
How Will These Changes Impact Students?
The elimination of the multiple-choice component from the Junior Olympiad represents a significant shift toward valuing mathematical communication and proof-writing. Meanwhile, the expanded certificate structure for the Junior Kangaroo will recognise and motivate more students to participate in mathematical challenges.
At Mathsaurus, we’ve updated all our materials to reflect these important changes, helping students develop the specific skills needed for success in these prestigious competitions.
Mathsaurus Preparation Options
May Half Term Intensive Courses – Book Here
Each year in the May half term you can join Dr Kevin Olding for focused preparation for the Junior Kangaroo and Olympiad:
Junior Olympiad Preparation (Ages 11-13)
Regular Track: For first-time Olympiad participants, focusing on the key topics and earlier questions – Book here
Advanced Track: For experienced students aiming for Distinction or medals – Book here
Many students will attend both tracks.
Junior Kangaroo Preparation: Strategies for achieving Gold/Silver/Bronze certificates via mixed topic problem solving
Self-Paced Online Resources
Mathsaurus has comprehensive materials to help you prepare. There is a free course for each competition with video hints and solutions to a range of past paper problems, as well as links to more past papers, solutions and certificate and medal boundaries. Choose Kangaroo or Olympiad to see these now: