Math Kangaroo, one of the most popular international math competitions, attracts over 6 million participants from around the world each year. But what are the benefits of participating in Math Kangaroo? What are the trends in the exam content? And is your child ready to compete?

In a recent online seminar hosted by Think Academy, Audrey Chen, an experienced math competition coach, answered these questions in detail for parents. With a Master’s in Education from the University of Pennsylvania and years of coaching experience, Audrey delved into the core values of Math Kangaroo and shared practical preparation strategies to help parents lay a solid foundation for their children’s competitive journey.

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What is Math Kangaroo and Why is it Popular?

Math Kangaroo, or MK, is a math competition designed for students from grades 1 to 12. It emphasizes the development of diverse mathematical thinking skills, including reading comprehension, logical reasoning, spatial thinking, and observation. Unlike other competitions that focus strictly on advanced topics, Math Kangaroo prioritizes the application of foundational knowledge, making it a unique challenge that requires both solid understanding and flexible thinking.

In recent years, participation in Math Kangaroo has steadily increased, especially in the United States. Many well-known schools, such as The Nueva School and Basis Independent, actively encourage students to take part. Statistics show that grades 2-5 make up the majority of participants, though participation from younger grades (1st and 2nd) has been rapidly growing.

Why Should Kids Participate in Math Kangaroo?

Participating in Math Kangaroo isn’t just about winning awards—it’s about boosting confidence and nurturing a love for math. Here are some of the core benefits of the competition:

• Boost Confidence and Interest in Math
  Children who participate gain a sense of accomplishment, which sparks a deeper interest in math, helping them become more proactive in their future learning.
• A Stepping Stone for Advanced Competitions
  Math Kangaroo is an ideal entry point to more advanced competitions like AMC 8/10/12, AIME, USAMO, and even IMO. It helps children build a strong math foundation, familiarize themselves with competition formats, and steadily build confidence.
• Friendly Scoring System, Giving Every Child a Chance to Win
  Math Kangaroo’s exam format is more inclusive, with a friendly scoring system. With proper preparation, nearly every child has a chance to earn an award.

What Does Math Kangaroo Test? What Are the Key Areas?

Although the content of Math Kangaroo doesn’t go beyond the standard curriculum, it demands a high level of overall ability. The exam focuses on the following areas:

• Reading comprehension
• Information extraction
• Mathematical calculations
• Logical reasoning
• Spatial thinking
• Observation and analysis

In recent years, there have been some noticeable shifts in the exam content:

• The proportion of geometry questions has increased, especially with more emphasis on spatial geometry skills.
• The focus on word problems has grown, testing students’ ability to extract key information and solve real-world problems.
• Logical reasoning and geometry remain central to the exam, though the weight of these topics has been adjusted.

How to Prepare for Math Kangaroo Effectively?

To stand out in Math Kangaroo, a personalized preparation plan is essential. Think Academy’s three-step approach can help parents and children prepare more effectively:

Tailor the Plan: Customize for Your Child
Each child has different strengths and weaknesses, so parents should adjust the preparation plan based on their child’s needs. If your child struggles with fundamentals, prioritize reinforcing key concepts. If they have trouble understanding questions, focus on developing habits like careful reading and extracting essential information.

Set Clear Goals: Why Participate in MK?
Help your child understand the meaning and purpose of participating in MK—whether it’s to boost their confidence, gain competition experience, or lay the groundwork for more advanced contests. Having clear goals will motivate your child to stay focused during preparation.

Understand the Exam: What Does MK Test?
By studying past papers and understanding exam trends, help your child become familiar with the types of questions and key areas of focus. For instance, in recent years, the proportion of geometry and applied questions has increased, while logical reasoning and overall ability remain the primary focus.

Common Preparation Challenges and Solutions

During preparation, many parents and children may encounter common challenges, but these can be addressed with a well-structured plan:

Common Challenges	Think Academy Solutions
Incomplete knowledge coverage	Systematically cover all MK topics and reinforce learning through a mistake book. Think Academy Levels 1-2 course covers 85%+ of MK topics, while Levels 3-4 covers all topics.
Relying only on practice questions	Focus on summarizing key concepts and combine “explanation + practice” to help children master problem-solving strategies.
Difficulty with reading comprehension and question understanding	Build habits for underlining key information and use fun math reading materials to enhance language comprehension and logical thinking.
Insufficient practice and lack of diverse problem-solving experience	Increase exposure to a variety of problem types and use mock exams to identify areas for improvement, gradually boosting speed and test-taking abilities.

Think Academy’s Efficient Preparation Methods

1. Long-Term Class Learning: Follow a structured schedule to develop good study habits.
2. Mistake Book Accumulation: Eliminate “carelessness” and internalize key concepts.
3. Real Exam Practice: Set time limits and participate in high-quality practice sessions.
4. Mock Exam Practice:
   • Mock Exam Rounds 1-3: Identify gaps and get familiar with the exam format.
   • Mock Exam Rounds 3-5: Adapt to the exam environment and build resilience under pressure.

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.

Think Academy Online Testing Center & 2025 Math Kangaroo Preparation Group

Think Academy’s online testing center is now accepting registrations for the 2025 Math Kangaroo.
Registration Period: September 15, 2024 – December 31, 2024
Competition Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Important Reminder: Think Academy’s online testing center is based in California, so students registering here will compete for state-level awards within California.

Testing Center Name: Think Academy U.S. ONLINE

Exam Times & Invitation Codes:

• 1:00-2:15 PM PST: 2025Think1:00@2025MK
• 3:30-4:45 PM PST: 2025Think3:30@2025MK
• 6:00-7:15 PM PST: 2025Think6:00@2025MK

For more information, click here to download the registration guide.

WhatsApp MK Preparation Group: Think Academy’s 2025 Math Kangaroo WhatsApp group provides parents with access to past exams, preparation tips, and a platform for communication, making the preparation process easier.

The Significance of Math Kangaroo Beyond the Competition

Math Kangaroo is the first step in helping children build math confidence and improve their overall abilities. Whether through gaining a sense of accomplishment or laying the groundwork for more advanced competitions, this competition is well worth the effort. We hope this article helps parents better prepare their children for the 2025 Math Kangaroo!