Mathswell is an annual competition run by the Wellington Maths Association.  Students from year 5 to year 13 are invited to participate in teams of 6. Mathswell aims to promote the enjoyment of Mathematics and challenge our students

Entry fee 2024

• Entry for 2024 is $24 per team for WMA members.  If schools are not members they need to include the $30 membership fee.

• Schools may enter 1 or 2 teams per competition.  

• Email entries to Bruce Welsh: maths@welsh.co.nz

Multi-choice format 

• 2 rounds of 15 questions, 10 minutes each round. 

• The 15 questions are given out at once.  Students choose how to work on them. 

• A separate answer sheet will be provided on which will be recorded the answers for marking. 

• After 5 minutes, 5 answers must be given to the marker to mark while the other questions are being worked on. 

• No correspondence with the marker is permitted.

Problem solving format 

• 2 rounds of 13 questions, 15 minutes each round. 

• Questions are given out one at a time.  

• The team works together on the question and writes the answer for the marker to mark. If correct the next question is given. 

• If not correct the marker will say wrong (without explanation) and a second chance is provided. 

• After the second chance answer is provided the next question is given. 

• At any time the team can choose to pass on the question.  A passed question can not be returned to.

Prizes

• After the first round of multi-choice and problem solving questions, the teams will be ranked and the top half of the teams compete for the cup and the other teams compete for the plate. 

• Prizes are awarded at the completion of the competition to the top three teams in the cup and plate sections. In the event of a tie, a count back will be undertaken on the problem solving questions.  

• The team with the most first time correct answers will be declared the winner in the event of a tie.

General Information

• All competitions will be held at The Hub, Victoria University. Entry is from Gate 3, Kelburn Parade.

• Markers will be provided by Victoria University.

• There is no parking on site, and limited parking on adjacent streets. Teams are encouraged to use public transport where possible. 

• Submission of entry is taken as giving organisers permission to take photos of competitors.

• Schools are responsible to meet their requirements for student supervision. 

• Each school may enter two teams of 6 students per competition. In mixed year group competitions (Y5/6, Y7/8) any combination of year mixes of students is acceptable. For smaller schools, the team of six may be made up with students from lower years.  However, such students can only compete in one competition. E.g. a Y10 student is the 6th member of a Y11 team for school X.  This student can not enter the Y10 competition.

• For the first round three students do the multi-choice questions and the other three do the problem solving questions.  

• For the second round the teams of three remain the same but swap to the other question style they did not do the first time.  E.g. first round team A does multi-choice and team B problem solving.  For the second round B does multi-choice and A does problem solving. 

• Calculators may be used but without internet access. For the year 12/13 competition, calculators are not permitted. 

• Spectators are welcome but must not communicate with team participants during their competitions. 

• The organiser's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 

• The organisers reserve the right to refuse the second team from a school should the venue reach capacity.