What happens during the contest?
Contestants receive three problems on each of two consecutive contest days. Each session lasts four and a half hours. The six problems have a maximum of seven marks each, giving 42 marks in total.
Why proofs matter
The examiner needs a justified argument. A numerical answer, a diagram that looks convincing, or several examples is not generally a complete solution. Correct partial progress may earn credit according to the problem’s marking scheme; there is no universal rule awarding a fixed number of marks per line or method.
Working materials
The regulations restrict the materials and devices permitted in the examination. Calculators and electronic communication devices are not allowed. Check the applicable regulations for the complete list.
Awards
The jury determines medal boundaries for the competition. Gold, silver and bronze awards depend on that year’s results and regulations. Do not use last year’s score as a guaranteed medal target. The regulations also provide for honourable mentions for qualifying contestants with a fully solved problem.
Official competition regulations · Official past problems
Practise the whole task
Choose a released paper, work within the official time limit, and write solutions that another reader can follow. Afterwards, review both the mathematics and the clarity of your reasoning.
See actual papers and results
Official paper and shortlist guide · Historical medal boundaries
What does a complete solution look like?
A successful proof identifies its assumptions and explains why its conclusion follows in every case. The induction example shows the difference between checking a few cases and proving a claim. The geometry example demonstrates how to use a diagram without treating its appearance as proof. These examples illustrate reasoning, not official IMO marks.
Language of the paper and your solutions
Your delegation arranges the permitted paper-language requests. You may write your IMO solutions in your own language under the official regulations. National selection contests have their own language rules. Language guidance and source.