Recently, Think Academy hosted an engaging online webinar featuring International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) renowned coach Chen Chen and medalist Binwei Yan. Combining their professional expertise and personal experiences, the speakers offered an in-depth exploration of the pathways and strategies for excelling in U.S. math competitions. Packed with practical advice and inspiration, this interactive session was a treasure trove of insights—let’s revisit the key takeaways together!

Guest Speakers

Chen Chen
Known as the “gold medal coach,” Chen Chen serves as the head coach at Think Academy with 13 years of experience in competitive math training:

• 2003 CMO: National 3rd place
• Coached students to win 20+ IMO Gold/Silver Medals
• Coached 120+ CMO Gold Medalists
• Mentored 60+ students to the Chinese National Training Team
• Since 2020, coached national team members from the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, and Australia
• Expertise in competition strategies across various levels and age groups

Binwei Yan
Yan’s remarkable achievements can only be described as “stellar”:

• Tsinghua University & MIT graduate
• IMO: Asia’s Best Female Contestant Award, Silver Medal
• Chinese Math Olympiad (CMO): Gold Medal, 1st place, Full Score
• Putnam Math Competition: Elizabeth Lowell Putnam Prize (Top Female Contestant in the U.S.)
• International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) – Regional Champion
• Chinese Collegiate Programming Contest: Gold Medal, 3rd place

Binwei Yan’s Journey to Math Olympiads

Yan shared her inspiring journey to the global math stage and offered valuable advice for aspiring contestants:

1. Start Early
   Yan emphasized the importance of starting math competition preparation early. The earlier you begin, the greater your advantage.
2. Structured Learning with Consistent Practice
   Achieving success requires a comprehensive learning system and consistent, rigorous practice.
3. Math Competitions Lay the Foundation for STEM Success
   Participation in math competitions is not only a ticket to top STEM universities but also a great way to hone problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

Coach Chen Chen’s Expert Advice

From a coach’s perspective, Chen Chen offered deep insights into why and how students should approach math competitions.

Math Competitions with AIME as the Goal

Chen Chen broke down the stages of North American math competitions:

• AMC 8: An entry-level competition to spark interest and build problem-solving skills, which is helpful for middle and high school applications.
• AMC 10/12: Top 2.5% of AMC 10 contestants (approximately 120 points) and top 5% of AMC 12 contestants (approximately 100 points) advance to the AIME and receive the Honor Roll certificate.
• AIME: A critical reference for college admissions. Scoring 7–10 out of 15 provides a significant advantage for applications, and scores above 10 typically qualify for USAMO.
• USAMO: Winners may join the U.S. team for the IMO (open to U.S. citizens only).
• IMO: The ultimate global challenge for elite math competitors.

For most students, qualifying for the AIME is already an outstanding achievement and a significant milestone.

What Kind of Students Are Suited for Math Competitions?

Chen summarized the key traits for math competition success:

• Passion: Genuine enthusiasm for math and problem-solving.
• Focus: The ability to stay concentrated on complex problems for extended periods.
• Perseverance: Determination to sustain long-term effort throughout the challenging journey.
• Intelligence: Only IMO-level competitions require exceptional intellectual ability. For most contests, effort and smart planning matter more.

Long-Term Development for Competition Success

Chen Chen outlined strategies for nurturing mathematical talent across different age groups:

• Ages 0–4: Ignite Curiosity
  Encourage curiosity and foster creative thinking habits during early childhood.
• Ages 5–12: Build a Solid Foundation
  At this stage, a structured learning system is essential. The learning process should form a loop: attend classes, complete homework, review regularly, and engage in problem-solving discussions. Teaching others can also solidify understanding.
• Ages 12 and Up: Provide Ongoing Support
  At this stage, mental support and doubt clarification are key. For most students, mastering competition concepts makes qualifying for the AIME achievable. Regular testing and post-exam reflections can help students build resilience and adapt to the highs and lows of competition.

How to Plan for Long-Term Math Learning?

In North America, with careful planning and consistent effort, it’s possible to achieve great results. Chen Chen recommended an efficient weekly learning routine:

• Preview Before Class: Pre-study to spark interest and gain a basic understanding of new concepts.
• Active Participation in Class: Engage in discussions and ask questions to deepen comprehension.
• Practice After Class: Reinforce learning through extensive practice, identifying and addressing weaknesses.
• Utilize Office Hours: Make use of Q&A sessions to resolve doubts and deepen understanding.
• Periodic Review: Regularly revisit learned material to maintain familiarity and uncover new insights.

Chen also noted that competition has become more intense over the years, making early preparation even more critical:

• AMC 8: Follow a steady learning plan to build foundational skills; early preparation pays off.
• AMC 10/12: Focus on targeted preparation to qualify for the AIME. Early, dedicated study is crucial for success.

Striving for the AIME qualification is a high-return goal. Chen emphasized that the first step to achieving it is long-term competition planning. The earlier students start their journey, the more advantages they will have. For those aiming to excel and go further in math competitions, now is the time to act and plan for long-term success!

Think Academy’s Comprehensive Competition Planning

Think Academy offers personalized 1-on-1 long-term competition planning tailored to each student’s needs. From Math Kangaroo (MK) to AMC and AIME, expert coaches provide targeted guidance to identify weaknesses and craft effective study plans. This not only boosts competition results but also strengthens top university applications.

Think Academy’s students in the U.S. have consistently achieved impressive results in competitions like Math Kangaroo, AMC 8, and AMC 10. Schedule your personalized evaluation today and create a customized competition plan to help your child’s math competition dreams soar to new heights!