Go for Gold in Maths Challenges (ages 16-18)
Learn all the topics you’ll need to get Bronze, Silver or Gold in the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge and similar contests around the world.
What’s included:
- Video lessons and quizzes on every essential Senior Maths Challenge topic
- 75 original challenge-style practice questions, arranged into 3 practice papers
- A video hint and a full video solution for every question
- Questions written by Kevin exclusively for this course
What students say:
Why SMC Preparation Is Different
The Senior Maths Challenge isn’t just school maths. It tests the “hidden curriculum” of topics that sit at the edge of what you learn in class. Indices and surds, prime factorisations, last-digit problems, clever factorisations – these are the topics that separate Bronze from Silver, and Silver from Gold.
Most students preparing for the SMC either:
- ❌ Just practise past papers without understanding the underlying concepts
- ❌ Try to learn from scattered resources across the internet
- ❌ Pay £50-100/hour for private tuition
Go for Gold gives you systematic, expert teaching on the topics that matter, then 75 original questions to apply them to – at a fraction of the cost of private tuition.
Master the SMC “Hidden Curriculum”
This course teaches the topics that come up again and again in the Senior Maths Challenge. Each topic includes:
- Worked examples and problem-solving strategies
- A teaching video breaking down the concept
- An interactive quiz to check your understanding
🧮 Indices and Surds
Work confidently with powers and roots, and simplify surd expressions that look far worse than they are.
You’ll tackle questions like: “Which of these equals this tower of indices?” and “Simplify this expression involving nested roots.”
🔢 Number Theory
Prime factorisations including square and cube numbers, last digit problems, and reasoning with the digits of a number.
You’ll learn techniques like: reading a number’s factor structure straight off its prime factorisation, and finding a last digit without doing the whole calculation.
📊 Algebra
Useful factorisations, difference of two squares problems, and the algebraic manipulation that unlocks challenge questions.
You’ll learn techniques like: spotting a difference of two squares in disguise, and choosing the factorisation that makes a hard problem easy.
📐 Geometry, Logic and Problem Solving
These are not taught as separate tutorials, but they run right through the three practice papers, which is where the Senior Maths Challenge really tests you.
Every one of those questions has a video hint and a full video solution, so the geometry and logic problems are worked through with you rather than left for you to puzzle out alone.
Then Apply What You’ve Learned
This is the heart of the course. Three complete original papers, written by Kevin for this course and not available anywhere else.
- 75 original questions across three Senior Mathsaurus Challenge papers
- A video hint for every question, if you want a nudge rather than the answer
- A full video solution for every question, showing Kevin’s approach
- Every question in this courses is original and unique so you won’t use up any real past papers questions to practice on
About Your Teacher
Expert Teaching from Dr. Kevin Olding
After obtaining First Class undergraduate and Masters degrees in Mathematics from Magdalen College, Oxford, Kevin taught at Westminster School and Dulwich College. He later completed his PhD in Mathematics at the University of Bath while founding Mathsaurus.
Kevin’s students have achieved places at leading UK schools and universities, with many earning Olympiad medals. Over 50,000 students have taken Kevin’s courses, with a combined social media following of over 65,000 across YouTube and TikTok.
Is this course right for you?
✅ A good fit if you:
- Are preparing for the Senior Maths Challenge (age 16-18)
- Want to be taught the topics properly, not just handed past papers
- Learn well at your own pace with video lessons
- Are aiming for Bronze, Silver or Gold, or to qualify for the follow-on rounds
✅ Also suitable for:
- Strong younger students working ahead of their year group
- Students preparing for similar challenges around the world
- Anyone who enjoys a hard maths problem
What You’ll Achieve
🎯 Master the topics that matter
Stop guessing which topics to focus on. This course teaches the number and algebra techniques that come up again and again in the Senior Maths Challenge.
🧠 Become a confident problem-solver
Learn to think mathematically, not just memorise techniques. You’ll develop the problem-solving skills that help you tackle unfamiliar questions.
🏆 Improve your SMC performance
Students using these courses have gone from Bronze to Silver, Silver to Gold, and qualified for the Senior Kangaroo and BMO.
😊 Enjoy mathematics
These problems are meant to be appreciated and enjoyed, not just drilled. You’ll finish the course with more confidence and enthusiasm for mathematics.
How the Course Works
Step 1: Learn the Topics
Work through the topic sections at your own pace. Watch the teaching video, then test yourself on the quiz that follows it.
Step 2: Practise with Original Papers
Sit three complete practice papers, 75 questions in total, written in the style of the real challenge.
Step 3: Review with Video Solutions
Stuck? Watch the hint first. Want the full method? Every single question has a worked video solution.
Ready to Start?
Gold Membership includes this course and every other Mathsaurus self-paced course for ages 11-18, with new ones added as they are made. Cancel any time.
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Gold Membership
BEST VALUE
Yearly
£12.99
per month
£155.88 billed once a year
MORE FLEXIBLE
Quarterly
£19.99
per month
£59.97 billed every three months
Your membership will be added to the email address you enter at the checkout
Please check it carefully. It is not filled in automatically, and it is not necessarily the address you are logged in with. If you already have a Mathsaurus account, use that same address. If no account exists for the address you enter, one will be created for you, and you can set a password and log in afterwards.
Gold Membership does not include the 11+ Maths course, or any live taught classes and their recordings.
Or buy this course on its own
£99
One year’s access to Go for Gold 16-18 only.
A single payment that does not repeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
I already have access to this course. How do I open it?
Whether you have Gold Membership or bought this course on its own, there is nothing further to pay. Open the course here and sign in with the email address you used when you bought it. If it still asks you to pay after you have signed in, email hello@mathsaurus.com and we will sort it out.
How long does it take to complete the course?
Most students work through the teaching content in 4-6 weeks, then use the practice papers over the following weeks. You have 12 months access (or unlimited with Gold Membership), so you can work at your own pace.
Is this suitable for beginners or only advanced students?
The course is designed for students at all levels preparing for the Senior Maths Challenge. Whether you’re aiming for your first Bronze or targeting Olympiad qualification, the content will help you improve.
Can I access the course on mobile/tablet?
Yes, the course works on any device with internet access.
What if I get stuck on a problem?
Each introductory section has a teaching video and a solution to every question in the quiz. Every practice question includes video hints to point you in the right direction, plus full video solutions showing Kevin’s complete approach.
Do I need any textbooks or additional materials?
No, everything you need is included in the course.
Can I ask questions?
The self-paced course doesn’t include direct Q&A, but if you want real-time interaction, consider joining our live Senior Maths Challenge classes which run throughout the year.
What’s the difference between the standalone course and Gold Membership?
The standalone course gives you 12 months access to just this Senior Maths Challenge course. Gold Membership gives you unlimited access to this course PLUS the JMC and IMC courses, GCSE/A-Level content, and future additions to the membership.
Ready to go for gold?
You’ve seen what’s included. Here is what other students said about it.
Not sure yet? Try the free Senior Maths Challenge course first to see how Kevin teaches, or read more about the competition on the main Senior Maths Challenge page.