Schools ordering shipped materials for the Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge (COMC) 2026 have until 14 October. The Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) lists a later deadline of 21 October for PDF delivery, with payment due on 22 October. Students should check their school’s arrangements now.
This is a deadline reminder. CMS announced autumn competition registration in its 4 September 2026 bulletin; registration has not newly opened today.
Which deadline applies?
- 14 October: school orders for courier delivery.
- 21 October: school orders for PDF delivery.
- 22 October: payment deadline.
These dates come from the official COMC 2026 page. It does not specify a registration cutoff hour or time zone. One sentence gives an inconsistent weekday beside 21 October; the delivery table and September bulletin both repeat the numerical date. Check the organiser’s portal rather than assuming a midnight cutoff.
Shipped materials still require printing
The 2026 administration notice says courier orders contain response sheets; proctors must separately obtain and print the question PDF. Choosing courier delivery does not remove this task. Ask the teacher supervising your sitting to check both parts.
How students can enter
School staff normally place entries. If your school does not participate, use the independent-student route on the official page to check Open Writing Centre availability. A place is reserved after payment. Confirm any centre-specific arrangements before booking.
The official eligibility rules require an award-eligible contestant to be under 19 on 30 June 2026 and in full-time school or home education from at least 15 September. Approved supervision is required; phones, calculators and other electronic devices are prohibited. Read the full rules if your circumstances are unusual.
Exam date and Olympiad ambitions
The main schedule is 29 October in the Americas and 30 October elsewhere, with a 150-minute paper. The administration notice describes a special Thursday arrangement for eligible overseas entrants.
Students aiming for a Canadian Mathematical Olympiad invitation must check Competitive Division eligibility. It includes a permitted start window of 13:00–15:30 EDT (UTC−4), alongside official-contestant and citizenship, residency or Canadian-host conditions. Other official entrants compete in the Global Division. Entering COMC does not by itself secure a CMO invitation.
Use our Canada selection guide to connect entry arrangements with the later stages. For preparation, work through a past paper before checking its solutions, then revisit the topic behind each missed question using the free concept lessons.
Sources rechecked on 12 October 2026. This independent report summarises CMS guidance; follow any subsequent instructions from CMS or your approved host.