Competition Math with MAPC

What is MAPC?

MAPC (Mr. Ahn’s Perfect Circle) is a unique MEK math program that emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving skills, and pushing your limits with competition-level math problems. Our purpose is to expose students to the higher difficulty realm of math competitions so that they can go on to successfully participate in all types of math competitions offered throughout the year.

Each session of our class is planned with puzzles and problems in mind that go beyond a standard school’s curriculum, providing students with the skills needed to excel in these competitive environments. In addition to the math topics involved in a competition, we emphasize our students’ skills in mental perseverance – getting from the front to back of a competition is a tough skill! The time crunch is real, so we prepare our students for that as well.

MAPC is primarily geared towards middle school students who are passionate about math and want to express that by going above and beyond to perform in math competitions. Whether your student is just starting out with competitions or looking to sharpen their skills, we have levels ready for you! 

Our program offers weekly sessions where students: Solve a wide range of problems, engage in mock competitions, and receive personalized feedback. For those students who are engaged in mathematics beyond just what they learn in the classroom, MAPC is here to guide you toward success!

What Does MAPC Offer?

In MAPC, we believe that success in math competitions comes from consistent practice. Therefore, our program is designed to prepare students for the rigor of competitions via our curriculum, which was artfully designed in-house at MEK. 

Each week, students will attend a 90-minute session at MEK. For a normal week, this is broken down into 3 sections of class:

1. 1. 1. Review from last week’s take-home assignment, typically a homework problem set.
      2. A mock competition quiz to continually hone your student’s skills.
      3. A review of the mock quiz after it is submitted.

Through this process, we acquaint students with the level of difficulty and rigor present in these competitions. We don’t only want to focus on the mathematical skills present on the exams, but test-taking skills as well, applicable to all educational fields. The truth of the matter is that math competitions are long. Many are designed in such a way that students are not expected to finish the entire test. In addition to the abstract problem solving skills and hardline mathematical lessons, we focus on building mental fortitude to get through as much of the exam as possible. 

Opportunities to Compete

In addition to normal test days, MAPC is also offering students opportunities to register in real math competitions during class time! A brief overview of competitions offered to our students during class time are:

• • • -Monthly Continental Math League competitions, offered on the 1st of each month from November to March
    • -Math Kangaroo, offered in March
    • -And of course, the highly competitive American Math Competition (AMC8), offered in January

Students signed up for MAPC receive assistance in registering for these competitions through our program and throughout the year. If your student does well, they are eligible to be selected as MEK’s official Math Team, including all of the rewards and recognition offered by these competitions for their performance!

MAPC Math Competitions  

MEK offers access to several math competitions. The following is a brief description of each.

Continental Math League (CML)

The Continental Math League was one of the very first competitions offered at MEK, and it has been one of our favorites ever since we started at the beginning of the decade. 

CML Features:

• • • Competitions offered through monthly meets (first Thursday of each month)
    • A 6-question quiz that takes 30 minutes to complete
    • Rookie and Junior-level classes

As an MEK math team, we will receive 5 certificates and 2 medals to distribute to the highest performing students throughout the CML meets. If the MEK math team does well enough, we will also receive Regional or National awards to recognize our team’s performance!

We hope you’ll join us for CML! Additional information for the Continental Math League can be found through their website.

Math Kangaroo

A more recent addition to the MEK roster of Math Competitions, Math Kangaroo, has proved to be a quick favorite among our students!

Math Kangaroo Features:

• • • Yearly math competitions
    • Grades 1 – 12 can participate
    • Grades 5 – 12 take a 75-minute multiple choice exam, consisting of 30 questions
    • Grades 1 – 4  take a shorter exam, consisting of 24 questions
    • Exam date is March 20^th
    • Participants eligible to receive various prizes, ranging from ribbons & medals to college grants for seniors (if they have participated yearly and achieved consistent high rankings)

The best time to start is now! Additional information for Math Kangaroo can be found through their website.

We hope you’ll join us for Math Kangaroo!

Last Year’s Math Kangaroo Crew (above)!  <3

MathCON

Brand new to MEK this year is MathCON! MathCON is a two-round math competition that allows students from 4th to 12th grade to participate.

MathCON Features:

• • • Round 1, 50-minute (grade appropriate) online test with problems types including: Algebra, Combinatorics, Geometry, and Number Theory
    • MEK-registered students receive 16 weekly practice tests on the MathCON portal, through competition date
    • MEK offers three test sessions (1/15, 2/12, 3/5)
    • The 628 top students (4^th – 12^th grade) will qualify for MathCON Finals, held in Chicago on May 10^th

We hope you’ll join us for this brand new offering! More information can be found on their website.

MathCounts

MathCounts is another prestigious math competition for middle school-aged students that our MAPC students have shown a direct interest in. With MAPC, we are committed to helping students prepare for success with this competition should they want to participate!

*Importantly, current guidelines don’t allow learning centers, hagwon or tutoring clubs to register students. Students must register through their official school’s page (assuming the school offers MathCounts. Or, students can register individually as a Non-School Competitor, and list a parent or guardian as their official “Coach” who will serve as the point of contact for that student’s test-taking.  

What MAPC Provides for MathCounts:

• • • Comprehensive competition preparation
    • Coverage of advanced math problems
    • Abstract problem solving and complex math challenges
    • Guidance through the registration process

Don’t let registration hurdles stop you from pursuing MathCounts! If your school doesn’t offer MathCounts participation, then the organization encourages individual students and parents to talk to their school about forming a team. Otherwise, students may take advantage of the NSC option. Either way, MAPC is here to help you prepare and excel. 

Find more information about MathCounts at their website.

American Mathematics Competition (AMC)

Our best MAPC students have both a passion for mathematics and a drive to succeed. This is why the American Mathematics Competition (AMC) is so important to us. As one of the most important competitions that exist to students in the United States, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of joining us at MEK to take the official AMC exam through our center!

Competitors who excel may be eligible to take the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) or the Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO)

AMC at MEK:

• • • MEK is an official testing center for the AMC and proudly offers all levels: AMC (8/10/12)
    • Our MAPC classes prepare you for the exact type of problems on the test
    • WE take AMC preparation seriously

For students in middle school interested in the AMC8, MAPC is the course for you! For students in high school or middle school further interested in the AMC10 and AMC12, please inquire at MEK for individual tutoring opportunities from our math competition experts. 

Schedule:

• • AMC 10A and AMC 12A, offered on November 6th, 2024
  • AMC 10B and AMC 12B, offered on November 12th, 2024
  • AMC 8, offered on January 23rd, 2025 – (Highly recommended for our MAPC students!)

Find more information about the AMC at their official website.

We hope you’ll join us for the largest test event of the year!

Please contact us for more information or schedule a consultation today.