First Mathematics Challenge

The First Maths Challenge (official website here) is a UK based maths challenge (but open to students all over the world) for ages 7-9 (or enthusiastic younger students) that runs annually in June.

It has 20 increasingly difficult multiple choice problems that must be solved without a calculator in 45 minutes. It’s excellent enrichment material for keen students and a great introduction to competition and challenge style mathematics.

Watch the video here for a full explanation of the competition and how to prepare.

You can practise real past paper questions from the First Maths Challenge with my video hints and solutions in this totally free course.

The FMC is meant to be fun so there’s no need to over prepare, but doing a little practice will help students enjoy the challenge, and improve their confidence by being familiar with the format and the questions.

The table below contains links to the AMiE’s available past First Maths Challenge papers. Questions from the most recent papers are available for free inside the the Mathsaurus FMC course along with video hints and solutions.

What are the grade boundaries for the First Maths Challenge?

Unlike the UKMT challenges for older students, the First Maths Challenge does not have fixed grade boundaries. Although the competition’s organisers do suggest possible boundaries for awarding certificates, it is up to each individual school to set the grade boundaries for their own students.

How do I register? (and other questions)

There is a page of further FAQs and practical information about the First Maths Challenge on the official website here. Whilst I try to provide useful and accurate information about preparing for the challenges at the Mathsaurus website, I am not directly affiliated with the competitions. I am happy to offer advice about preparing for the challenges but all organisational and other queries should be directed to the organisers of the competition.