Math Contests

We are excited to share that the Ben Franklin PTA will be hosting several math contests this year! These contests are a great way for students to strengthen their problem-solving skills, challenge themselves, and build confidence in math. Come show off your skills and see how much you can grow! Stay tuned for details on contest dates and participation opportunities.

Important Registration & Policy Guidelines

• First-Come, First-Served: Due to limited space and the popularity of the contests, once all the seats are filled, we will have to close registration right away! Make sure you sign up for our math email list to know when we open math contest registration.
• PTA Member Priority: Priority registration will be given to Franklin PTA members when space is limited, so don't forget to join the PTA!
• Mandatory Parent Volunteer Policy: All parents are required to volunteer in at least one math contest to register their kids, since all of our math contests rely on parent volunteers.
• Strict No-Refund & Same-Day Testing Policy: Once a child is registered for a math contest, we will not offer any refund for any reason. Please check your schedule carefully before signing up — we do not offer testing on alternative dates. All students must take the exam on the same day as scheduled.

2026–2027 Math Contests Lineup

• Noetic Math Contest (Fall) — Grades 2–5 — Saturday, November 14 (backup: Nov 12–13) — 20 word problems, 45 minutes
• Math Kangaroo Team Contest — Grades 1–5 — Tuesday, November 17, after school — Teams of 2–4, 60 minutes
• Math Kangaroo (Individual) — Grades 1–5 — 3rd Thursday in March — 24–30 multiple choice questions, 75 minutes
• Noetic Math Contest (Spring) — Grades 2–5 — Saturday, April 3 (backup: Apr 1–2) — 20 word problems, 45 minutes
• Math Is Cool — Grades 4–5, off campus — 5 teams per grade (20 students) — challenging team competition; registration priority based on past contest scores

Contest Details

1. Noetic Math Contest (Fall)

The Noetic Learning Math Contest (NLMC) is a semiannual problem-solving contest for elementary and middle school students, designed to encourage students' interest in math, develop their problem-solving skills, and inspire them to excel in math.

• Registration Window: September–October
• Eligibility: Grades 2–5
• Contest Date: Saturday, November 14 for all grades (backup: Thursday, November 12 for Grades 2 & 4, Friday, November 13 for Grades 3 & 5, pending school space confirmation)
• Format: 20 word problems, 45 minutes

2. Math Kangaroo Team Contest

This collaborative competition allows students to experience math challenges alongside peers, building communication and teamwork skills in addition to mathematical reasoning.

• Registration Window: September 1–15, for a maximum of 25 teams (100 students); closes once full
• Contest Date: Tuesday, November 17, after school
• Team Format: Teams of 2–4 members, each with one parent serving as team coach; teams choose their own name. The PTA is not able to assist with team formation.
• Eligibility: Grades 1–5
• Test Format: Multiple Choice and Short Answer Questions — 24 questions for Grades 1–4, 30 questions for Grade 5. Duration: 60 minutes.

3. Math Kangaroo (Individual)

The Math Kangaroo individual competition encourages creative problem-solving and logic through engaging, multi-step math questions.

• Contest Date: 3rd Thursday in March
• Eligibility: Grades 1–5
• Format: 75 minutes; 24 questions for Grades 1–4, 30 questions for Grade 5

4. Noetic Math Contest (Spring)

The spring edition of the Noetic Math Contest gives students a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the growth and skills they've developed throughout the school year.

• Registration Window: January–February
• Eligibility: Grades 2–5
• Contest Date: Saturday, April 3 for all grades (backup: Thursday, April 1 for Grades 2 & 4, Friday, April 2 for Grades 3 & 5, pending school space confirmation)
• Format: 20 word problems, 45 minutes

5. Math Is Cool

Math Is Cool is a competition designed mainly for Grade 4 and Grade 5 students. It's more challenging than the Noetic and Math Kangaroo competitions, requiring advanced mathematical reasoning and collaborative problem-solving skills.

• Eligibility & Capacity: Mainly Grades 4–5; strictly limited to five teams (20 students) per grade level (10 teams / 40 students total across Grades 4 and 5)
• Priority Registration: Awarded to top scorers from the Noetic and Math Kangaroo contests offered at our school
• Open Registration: Once the priority period ends, registration opens to all interested Grade 4 and 5 students on a first-come, first-served basis
• Refund & Testing Policy: No refunds once registered, for any reason

Questions?

Chairpersons: Sabrina Chen & Moli Zhang — mathcontest@mybenfranklinpta.org