Is your middle schooler ready to take their math skills to the next level? MAPC (Mr. Ahn’s Perfect Circle) is a unique math competition program designed for students who are passionate about math and are eager to tackle challenging problems and develop critical thinking skills. Whether your child is new to math competitions or looking to fine-tune their strategies, MAPC offers a structured environment where students can build confidence and excel. 

With weekly sessions that go beyond traditional classroom learning, our students solve complex puzzles, participate in mock competitions, and develop the mental perseverance necessary to thrive in high-pressure environments. 

With MAPC, your child will be on the road to competition success. And our program works, as this year, the MEK math team excelled at the AMC 8!

Congratulations to the following students:

Krishang I. got a PERFECT SCORE and ranked as one of the top 100 AMC 8 students in the world! In total, 5 students from the MEK Math Team scored in the top 5%: Marcus W., Cayden K., Isaiah S., Akshat M., and Krishang I.

You all did great, and MEK is so proud of you!

MAPC: An overview 

At MEK, we believe that success in math competitions comes from consistent practice. Our MAPC program is designed to prepare students for the rigor and difficulty of competitions through our specialized curriculum created right here at MEK. Not only do we focus on mathematical skills, but we also cover test-taking skills. This will prove beneficial in the competitions as well as any and all educational areas. 

Each week, students will attend a 90-minute session, broken down into 3 sections of class: 

1. Review of last week’s take-home assignment. 
2. A mock competition quiz to continually hone our students’ skills. 
3. A review of the mock quiz after it is submitted. 

The truth of the matter is that competitions are long. Many are designed in such a way that students are not actually expected to finish all the questions. That’s why we also want to build the mental fortitude to get through as much of the exam as possible. 

What MAPC courses does MEK offer? 

MEK offers two different MAPC courses, depending on your child’s math skills and grade level. 

MAPC Rookie 

Who should take MAPC Rookie? 

MAPC Rookie is designed for 6th and 7th grade students who are new to math competitions, or younger students in 4th and 5th grade who show aptitude in math contests. 

How is the class structured, and what will students learn? 

Each week, students will complete an 8-question in-class quiz and a 4-question take-home assignment. The assigned math problems cover a wide range of topics, including algebra, number theory, geometry, and more. 

MAPC Rookie introduces students to the level of rigor they’ll encounter in math competitions, while also encouraging them to think creatively. Math competitions do not have a single topic or lesson that they stick to, but rather, they encourage students to use the tools and skills they already have in new and interesting ways. 

Students will learn how to solve problems using theorems, and they’ll learn tricks to make their work significantly easier. By the end of the course, students will be able to easily see the ways they can creatively apply the lessons they’ve learned in school to new and unique problems. 

Each month, parents will receive a report on their child’s progress throughout the course. This will include test scores, official competition results, homework progress assignments, and any general comments or feedback. If your child is particularly excelling, we may recommend that they move up to MAPC Junior. 

Which math competitions can an MEK Rookie join? 

MAPC Rookie students are ideal candidates for CML grades 6 or 7, Math Kangaroo grades 6/7, and MathCon grades 6/7. 

MAPC Junior 

Who should take MAPC Junior? 

MAPC Junior is designed for 7th and 8th grade students who are familiar with math competitions and ready to tackle the AMC 8. We also accept younger students who show significant aptitude for math. The course prepares students for the AMC 8. 

How is the class structured, and what will students learn? 

Each week, students will complete a 12-question in-class quiz and a 10-question take-home assignment for homework. Material for this course is pulled exclusively from the AMC 8 and The American Junior High School Mathematics Examination (AJHSME). 

The purpose of MAPC Junior is to introduce students to the level of rigor that the AMC demands. Progress is measured based on a student’s readiness for the AMC 8. 

Like MAPC Rookie, each month, parents will receive a report on their child’s progress throughout the course. This will again include test scores, official competition results, homework progress assignments, and any general comments or feedback. 

Are you ready to compete? 

When you register for MAPC, your child will also have the opportunity to register for real math competitions during class time! MAPC instructors will help students register for these competitions throughout the year. If your child does well, they will be eligible to compete on MEK’s official math team!  

Check out the full list of math competitions below:  

The Continental Math League (CML) 

The Continental Math League was one of the first competitions offered at MEK, and it has become a favorite of students and staff alike. CML’s math competitions occur once each month from November to March. They consist of monthly meets that include a 6-question, 30-minute quiz. Students registered in MAPC will take these quizzes during class time, in place of our regularly scheduled quiz. 

We will distribute 5 certificates and 2 medals to the highest performing students throughout the CML meets. And if the MEK math team does well enough, students can go on to receive Regional or National awards! 

Math Kangaroo 

Math Kangaroo is a yearly math competition for grades 5 through 12, offered in March. The competition consists of a 75-minute, 30-question multiple choice exam. The exam will occur on March 20th during scheduled MAPC class time. 

Each student participating in Math Kangaroo is eligible to receive a free gift bag and a participation ribbon/badge. Anyone with a top 20 score nationally or a top 3 score state-wide will also receive further recognition from the Math Kangaroo program, including medals, ribbons, magnets, and other prizes. And best of all, students who take the competition yearly and score consistently top rankings for several years in a row will be eligible for college grants once they reach their Senior year of high school. 

So don’t wait! The best time to start preparing is now! 

MathCON 

MathCON is a two-round math competition for students from 4th to 12th grade. The first round of MathCON consists of a 50-minute online test with 8 Algebra questions, 8 Combinatorics questions, 8 Geometry questions, and 8 Number Theory questions. 

In addition, students registering for MathCON through MEK are eligible to receive 16 weekly practice tests administered through the online MathCON portal. MEK’s final session for students to take the official MathCON exam is March 5th, outside of the regularly scheduled MAPC class time.  

After the online test, the 628 top scoring students in 4th-12th grade will qualify for the MathCON Finals Competition in Chicago on May 10th. During the finals, students will take another 32-question test and participate in a wide variety of other activities and competitions. 

MathCounts 

MathCounts is a prestigious math competition for middle-school students. MAPC offers comprehensive competition preparation for MathCounts, covering the same types of advanced math problems students will find in the competition. Through MAPC, our expert instructors are ready to help students prepare for the abstract problem-solving and complex math challenges presented to them on the MathCounts exam. 

While MAPC is committed to helping students prepare for success in this competition, we’d like to note that according to MathCounts’ current guidelines, non-school groups like learning centers and tutoring clubs are not eligible to directly register students for the competition series. Students must register through their official school, if they offer MathCounts. If your school does not offer MathCounts, students can register individually as a non-school competitor (NSC), listing their parent or guardian as their official “Coach” to serve as the point of contact for that student’s test-taking. However, MAPC is here to provide everything else you need for success. We can also assist parents and students with any questions they have about registering as an NSC, ensuring a smooth and easy process. 

MAPC is here to help you prepare and excel! 

American Math Competition (AMC) 

The American Math Competition, offered in January, is one of the most important and highly respected math competitions for students in the United States, and MEK offers the official exam directly through our center! We are an official testing center for the AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12.  

• AMC 8: for any students up to grade 8 (recommended mostly for grades 7 and 8) 

• AMC 10: for students up to grade 10 (recommended for grades 9 and 10) 

• AMC 12: for students up to grade 12 (recommended for grades 11 and 12) 

At MAPC, we take our AMC prep seriously. Therefore, our classes will help you master the exact types of problems you’ll encounter on these tests. Additionally, competitors who do well enough on their preliminary AMC tests could also be eligible to join more advanced contests hosted by the Mathematical Association of America, such as the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) and ultimately the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO). 

For students in middle school interested in the AMC 8, MAPC is the course for you! For older students who are interested in AMC 10 and/or AMC 12, please inquire about individual tutoring opportunities from our math competition experts at MEK. 

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

Register for MAPC today to get your child on the path to success! You can also sign up for individual math competitions here. Contact us to learn more.