Prepare for future Math Kangaroo contests by diving into challenging problems from the 2025 Math Kangaroo Levels 1-2 and 3-4. This blog offers detailed questions and step-by-step solutions, revealing effective strategies for complex mathematical reasoning, logical thinking, and spatial visualization. Enhance essential skills for Math Kangaroo success.

2025 Math Kangaroo Level 1-2 Questions and Solutions

Below are the questions and solutions for Math Kangaroo 2025 Level 1–2, including detailed explanations for key and challenging problems.

Table 1: 2025 Math Kangaroo Level 1-2 Questions and Solutions

Q#	Ability Tested	Answer	Difficulty (Points)	Think Academy Long-Term Program Coverage
1	Number & Operation	C	3	PreK Fall L14 Subtraction in 10
2	Spatial Sence	E	3	K Summer L4 PuzzleG1 Summer L1 Jigsaw Puzzle
3	Spatial Sence	E	3	K Fall L3 Plane Shapes
4	Spatial Sence	A	3	K Summer L6 Compare and Rank
5	Spatial Sence	B	3	K Summer L9 Overlapping
6	Spatial Sence	C	3	K Spring L13 Counting Shapes
7	Reasoning	B	3	K Summer L5 Elimination
8	Spatial Sence	E	3	K Spring L3 Complex Pattern
9	Spatial Sence	A	4	G1 Fall L9 Counting Solid ShapesG2 Fall L2 Color Cubes
10	Spatial Sence	E	4	K Summer L9 Overlapping
11	Spatial Sence	D	4	K Spring L11 Identify Regular Shapes
12	Number & Operation	B	4	G1 Spring L1 Calculation with Shapes
13	Number & Operation	C	4	G1 Spring L12 Inverse Problems
14	Number & Operation	C	4	G1 Fall L5 Problems of LiningG2 Fall L7 Complex Lining-Up Problems
15	Reasoning	D	4	G1 Spring L15 Reasoning with Positions
16	Spatial Sence	D	4	G1 Spring L7 Building Blocks
17	Reasoning	B	5	G1 Fall L1 Patterns in Shapes
18	Number & Operation	D	5	G2 Fall L14 Find the Unit
19	Number & Operation	D	5	G1 Spring L9 Number Matrix
20	Number & Operation	B	5	G2 Spring L10 Age Problems
21	Reasoning	A	5	G1 Fall L10 Sudoku
22	Spatial Sence	C	5	G2 Fall L2 Color Cubes
23	Spatial Sence	A	5	G3 Spring L17
24	Number & Operation	C	5	G2 Fall L12 Worst-Case Scenario

Detailed Solution for Challenging Problems

Question 8

• Answer: E
• Solution: To solve this pattern matching problem, carefully observe the spatial relationships among the four decorations in the reference pattern. For example, the heart and the circle are separated by four small circles, with the pointed end of the heart facing the arch shape. Additionally, the opening of the arch faces toward the four small circles. Only option E correctly maintains all these spatial relationships, making option E the correct answer.

Question 10

• Answer: E
• Solution: To solve this spatial reasoning problem, carefully examine how each rectangular mat overlaps the others. A tile must be covered exactly three times, meaning three mats must overlap at that point. By checking the central overlapping area closely, we can identify that there are exactly 4 tiles meeting this condition. Thus, the correct answer is (E) 4.

Question 15

• Answer: D
• Solution: Start with the order White–Black–Gray. First, swapping the white and gray books gives Gray–Black–White. Then, swapping the gray and black books results in the final order: Black–Gray–White. Thus, the correct answer is (D). Drawing a step-by-step diagram can help students clearly visualize and understand this solution.

Question 17

• Answer: B
• Solution: This is an alternating pattern problem. Each block hides exactly five beads. To solve, carefully observe the visible beads to determine the hidden pattern: black and white beads alternate consistently. Maintaining this alternating logic, we can deduce the hidden beads’ colors by counting from the visible beads at both ends of each hidden section. Each hidden section contains exactly 3 white beads, resulting in 6 white beads hidden in total. Thus, the correct answer is (B) 6.

Question 22

• Answer: C
• Solution: The cubes in this problem follow an alternating color pattern—every gray cube has a white cube directly beneath it, and vice versa. To solve, students must carefully track each vertical column and maintain the alternating logic (testing logical reasoning and spatial visualization skills). Counting carefully from top to bottom, we label the number of white cubes clearly in each column, as indicated by the marked numbers in the image. Summing these up (2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 7 white cubes), the correct answer is (C) 7.

Question 24

• Answer: C
• Solution: This Math Kangaroo problem tests logical reasoning and understanding of the worst-case scenario—the unluckiest possible outcome. To guarantee that Sophia receives a white ball, we assume every non-white ball drops first. By carefully counting non-white balls beneath each white ball, we have: Column 1-3 black and gray balls, Column 2-1 gray ball, Column 3-2 black and gray balls, Column 4-4 black and gray balls. Thus, the total non-white balls that can fall initially is 3 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 10. After these 10 balls, the next ball—the 11th ball—must be white. Hence, Sophia needs at least 11 coins to guarantee getting a white ball.

2025 Math Kangaroo Level 3-4 Questions and Solutions

Below are the questions and solutions for Math Kangaroo 2025 Level 3–4, including detailed explanations for key and challenging problems.

Table 2: 2025 Math Kangaroo Level 3-4 Questions and Solutions

Q#	Ability Tested	Answer	Difficulty (Points)	Think Academy Long-Term Program Coverage
1	Geometry	A	3	G1 Fall Counting Solid Shapes
2	Number & Operations	E	3	G1 Summer Meaning of Addition and Subtraction
3	Geometry	E	3	K Summer Overlapping
4	Geometry	E	3	K Spring Complex Pattern
5	Geometry	A	3	G2 Spring Rolling the Dice
6	Geometry	B	3	G1 Summer Jigsaw Puzzle
7	Geometry	A	3	G1 Summer Direction and Position
8	Geometry	E	3	K Spring Complex Pattern
9	Number & Operations	E	4	K Spring Addition Strategy within 20G1 Spring Shape Math
10	Word Problems	C	4	G1 Spring Move it, Move it!
11	Combinatorics	B	4	G2 Fall Detective’s Notes
12	Geometry	B	4	G1 Summer Details Matter
13	Word Problems	B	4	G2 Spring Sum-Multiples Problems
14	Number & Operations	D	4	G2 Summer Division Dynamos
15	Combinatorics	C	4	G1 Spring L9 Number Matrix
16	Geometry	E	4	G1 Fall Snip
17	Word Problems	D	5	G1 Fall L8 Addition Elevator
18	Geometry	B	5	G3 Summer L6 Cutting and Rearranging Shapes
19	Geometry	D	5	G1 Spring L13 Three View Combination
20	Word Problems	D	5	G3 Fall L15 Calendar and Period
21	Geometry	B	5	G2 Spring L17 Strategies of Finding Perimeter
22	Combinatorics	C	5	G2 Fall L3 Figure Decipher
23	Combinatorics	A	5	G2 Fall L12 Detective’s Notes
24	Combinatorics	C	5	G1 Fall L12 Equivalent Substitution

Detailed Solution for Challenging Problems

Question 8

• Answer: E
• Solution: To solve this visual reasoning problem, analyze the structure of each rod:
  • Rod ① has a square and triangle on the same side → exclude A and C, which incorrectly separate them.
  • Rod ② has two triangles on the same side → exclude B and D, which show mismatched placement.
  • Rod ③ has a triangle and square on opposite sides → only E matches this combination correctly. Thus, only option E can be built using the three rods provided.

Question 13

• Answer: B
• Solution: There are 6 sheep. The smallest sheep eats twice as much as each of the other 5. That means the total food is split into 7 equal parts (5 sheep × 1 part + 1 sheep × 2 parts). So, 210 ÷ 7 = 30 grams per part. The smallest sheep gets 2 parts: 30 × 2 = 60 grams. Therefore the answer is B.

Question 18

• Answer: B
• Solution: This paper-folding and spatial visualization problem requires students to mentally reconstruct the unfolding process and identify symmetrical patterns. A helpful strategy is to use auxiliary lines—such as the two crossing red lines shown in the picture—to clearly visualize the symmetrical quadrants created by folding. Recognizing these symmetries helps students accurately reverse-engineer the cutting process. By applying this method carefully, it becomes clear that option (B) correctly shows the folded paper’s cut shape, maintaining the required symmetry and matching the final unfolded snowflake exactly.

Question 19

• Answer: D
• Solution: This geometry and spatial reasoning problem asks students to visualize the pyramid from above while carefully following an important color-placement rule: no two cubes of the same color may touch face-to-face (meaning cubes can’t directly share a flat side if they have the same color; corners or edges touching is allowed). In the given figure, one black cube is explicitly indicated. Therefore, any cube that directly touches this black cube face-to-face must be gray. Following this logic further outward, the next surrounding layer must alternate back to black cubes, making the cubes marked with blue lines black. Then carefully visualizing this color arrangement from above, the resulting pattern of black and gray cubes exactly matches option (D).

Question 21

• Answer: B
• Solution: This problem combines geometry, early algebra, and spatial reasoning skills. Students must carefully interpret the given dimensions (length: 100 cm; width: 60 cm) and determine the hidden dimensions of each brick. Vertically, the total width of 60 cm equals exactly 6 brick widths, thus each brick’s width is 60÷6=10 cm. Horizontally (along the left side), one brick length equals the total 60 cm minus two brick widths: 60−2×10=40 cm. Therefore, each brick measures 10 cm by 40 cm, making the correct answer (B).

Question 22

• Answer: C
• Solution: This logic and proportional reasoning problem involves careful step-by-step comparison and elimination. First, compare tubes 1, 2, and 3: since tube 3 contains the most balls among these three tubes, it will have the least water remaining after the balls are removed. Next, compare tubes 4 and 5: tube 5 contains more balls, so it will have less water remaining than tube 4. Finally, compare tubes 3 and 5: tube 5 initially has twice the water volume of tube 3 and also has exactly twice as many balls as tube 3. Therefore, after removing all balls, tube 5’s remaining water volume will still be twice as much as that in tube 3. Thus, tube 3 ultimately has the least water, making the correct answer (C).

Important Concepts and Abilities Tested in Math Kangaroo 2025

The Math Kangaroo 2025 assessment emphasized essential mathematical skills aligned with US Common Core standards, including logical reasoning, spatial visualization, reading comprehension in mathematics, and flexible problem-solving abilities. Instead of relying on memorization, students were challenged to apply their math knowledge creatively and logically to unfamiliar scenarios.

1. Mathematical Reading Comprehension

A prominent skill in Math Kangaroo 2025 was the ability to extract critical mathematical information from complex, text-heavy problems. Students were required to carefully interpret the problem statements, identify key conditions, and filter out distractions to accurately visualize mathematical scenarios. This aligns closely with the Common Core’s emphasis on understanding and solving word problems by identifying relevant quantities and relationships.

2. Spatial Reasoning and Geometry

Spatial thinking featured prominently, comprising 40–50% of questions at some grade levels. Students were expected to mentally visualize, rotate, combine, and deconstruct geometric shapes and objects. Tasks included interpreting diagrams, mentally reconstructing three-dimensional figures from two-dimensional views, and maintaining spatial orientation and proportional relationships—core Common Core geometry skills.

3. Logical and Proportional Reasoning

Math Kangaroo tested students’ logical reasoning extensively, focusing on step-by-step deduction, pattern recognition, and proportional relationships. Students faced logic puzzles and proportional reasoning tasks requiring careful step-by-step elimination and inference without direct calculation. These problems emphasized the Common Core standards of mathematical reasoning and using logic to analyze situations, draw conclusions, and solve problems strategically.

4. Flexible Problem Modeling and Endurance

At Levels 3–4, Math Kangaroo required students to demonstrate endurance, attention to detail, and flexible mathematical modeling. Problems combined arithmetic, early algebra, and geometry, where students needed to interpret visual information, reverse-engineer hidden variables, and manage multiple solution steps efficiently—key capabilities reflecting Common Core’s standards of mathematical practice.

Overall, Math Kangaroo 2025 prioritized skills and concepts foundational to long-term math success, reinforcing essential abilities aligned with US Common Core standards: interpreting complex scenarios, visualizing spatial relationships, applying logical reasoning, and adapting mathematical knowledge to creatively solve novel problems.

How to Effectively Prepare for Math Kangaroo 2026

Successfully preparing your child for Math Kangaroo 2026 involves clearly understanding their current performance, establishing achievable goals, following a structured preparation timeline, and utilizing the right resources. Below is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide based on proven strategies and aligned with Think Academy’s structured curriculum.

Step 1: Understand Your Child’s Performance and Set Realistic Goals

Effective preparation begins by evaluating your child’s current abilities—not just their scores but their skills and potential areas of growth. Tailor your strategies based on the detailed performance tiers below:

Grade 1:

• Top 20 Nationally (scores ≥75): Strong visual and pattern recognition.
  • Action: Continue practicing logic puzzles, pattern tasks, and spatial reasoning activities.
• Score <75: Developing number sense and spatial awareness.
  • Action: Engage in structured visual tasks and story-based problems to improve foundational reasoning and number recognition.

Grade 2:

• Top 20 Nationally: Strong logical reasoning and spatial skills.
  • Action: Practice advanced spatial tasks such as diagramming, paper-folding, and comparative logic activities.
• Score <75: Basic interest but requires better fluency in logic and visualization.
  • Action: Increase exposure to structured visual reasoning through puzzles, grid exercises, and simple geometric activities.

Grade 3:

• Top 20 Nationally: Shows accuracy in multi-step logical tasks and early abstraction skills.
  • Action: Utilize bar models, number lines, and structured visual aids for complex problems.
• Score <75: Can complete simple tasks but struggles with layered logic.
  • Action: Focus on visual methods like bar models and number paths to clarify complex relationships.

Grade 4:

• Top National Performers: Advanced abstract reasoning, ready for competitive math.
  • Action: Initiate training toward AMC 8, emphasizing timed practice and competition-level problem-solving.
• Top 20 Nationally: Ready to shift from fundamental reasoning to competition-level skills.
  • Action: Practice AMC-style geometric, logical, and algebraic reasoning problems regularly.
• Score <75: Needs to strengthen reasoning and structured problem-solving approaches.
  • Action: Consistently practice pattern recognition, geometry tasks, and structured reasoning exercises.

Step 2: Follow a Structured Preparation Timeline (September – March)

An organized timeline ensures steady progression and covers all aspects of the exam:

September to February: Mock Test Practice

• Regularly practice mock tests (monthly) to simulate the exam environment.
• Identify areas of improvement early and refine time management and accuracy.

October to November: Solidify the Basics

• Master fundamental concepts through consistent practice with “3-point” level problems.
• Strengthen number sense, basic arithmetic, simple logic, and spatial reasoning.

December to January: Intermediate Problem Mastery

• Progress to “4-point” questions that demand deeper logical reasoning and multi-step thinking.
• Develop stronger problem-solving stamina and analytical thinking.

February: Advanced Problem-solving (Sprint for Hard Problems)

• Intensively tackle challenging “5-point” problems.
• Practice perseverance and adaptability through complex reasoning tasks, recognizing there’s no penalty for wrong answers.

March: Comprehensive Review

• Address remaining knowledge gaps through detailed review sessions.
• Ensure balanced revision across all question types and practice strategies for quick recall and problem-solving accuracy.

Step 3: Utilize Think Academy Math Kangaroo Series and Resources

Maximize preparation with Think Academy’s targeted Math Kangaroo resources:

• Informational Blogs and Materials: Explore related online resources for Math Kangaroo to learn detailed competition rules and review historical performance data.
  • Math Kangaroo 2025 Results: What’s New and What’s Next?
  • All About 2025 Math Kangaroo: Your Ultimate Guide to Top FAQs
  • Math Kangaroo 2024 Analysis and 2025 Preparation Guide
• Structured Curriculum: Comprehensive courses covering over 90% of the Math Kangaroo test question types, clearly explained in engaging live classes.
• Online Mock Exams: Realistic simulation tests to assess readiness, track progress, and build test-taking confidence.
• Trial Lessons with Personalized Evaluation: Free personalized assessments to identify your child’s strengths and areas for improvement.
• Customized Preparation Courses: Tailored preparation courses designed specifically by grade-level specialists, strategically aligned with Math Kangaroo competencies.
• Scientific Review Based on the Forgetting Curve: To make preparation more efficient, Think Academy has developed a scientific review schedule based on the “forgetting curve”:
  • Review class notes within 10-20 minutes after the lesson to reinforce memory.
  • Review homework 24 hours later to deepen understanding.
  • Do extended practice 7 days later to check for retention.
  • Review key topics 30 days later and consolidate through mock exams.

About Think Academy

Think Academy, wholly owned by TAL Education Group, specializes in preparing students for the Math Kangaroo competition. Each year, over 300 Think Academy students win Math Kangaroo awards, including 35% of all Level 1 perfect scores nationwide. Supported by world-class resources and expert coaching, we empower students to achieve exceptional results in international mathematics competitions.

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