vieAustralian Mathematics Competition (AMC) is an international math competition organized by the Australian Mathematics Trust (AMT). It is one of the largest and most prestigious math competitions in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of students from many countries each year.
The AMC was first held in 1978. The goal of the competition is to encourage students to love mathematics and develop their mathematical thinking skills. This competition not only focuses on mathematical knowledge but also enhances students’ creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
This is the second year that Edufly Education Technology Joint Stock Company has been authorized by the Australian Mathematics Trust to organize this competition in Vietnam. Particularly, the southern region has welcomed nearly 1,000 contestants from Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces to compete and interact, specifically at Nam Uc Scotch AGS.
The opening ceremony of the Australian Mathematics Competition AMC 2024 featured Dr. Do Viet Tuan, Head of the Australian Mathematics Olympiad Organizing Committee in Vietnam, Dr. Douglas Foster, Representative of the Southern Regional Organizing Committee, and the Chairman of the Nam Uc Scotch AGS School Board.
Regarding the exam paper, the structure includes 30 multiple-choice questions, divided into three parts with increasing difficulty across five levels. The questions require students to use logical thinking and mathematical skills to find solutions. The usual exam time is 60 minutes for elementary students and 75 minutes for secondary students.
Mr. Pham Viet Duy Kha, Technical Director and Head of the Mathematics Department at Stemhouse Education Center, said the attraction of the AMC exam lies in the fact that even though it is held in Vietnam, the exam paper is not translated and remains in its original form with 100% English. This presents a challenge for students who need to both prepare for the exam and improve their vocabulary to understand the questions. It also provides a stepping stone for students to experience international exam models and prepare for future study abroad plans. Additionally, the age range for AMC registration spans from elementary to high school, allowing many students to participate.
“The structure of the exam is not academically difficult or requires students to have extensive knowledge. The core focus is on thinking ability, flexibility, creativity, and applying learned mathematics to solve real-life problems,” Mr. Duy Kha added.
Accompanying her child on the exam day, Ms. An Ha, mother of Ha Linh, a 4th-grade student at Truong Vinh Ky Primary-Secondary High School, Dong Nai, said she wanted her child to participate to test her math skills and problem-solving abilities.
“I do not care about the awards. The main goal of bringing my child to the AMC is for her to experience an international exam and enhance her analytical and thinking skills. Additionally, it is an opportunity for her to interact and learn from other talented students in the region.”
Agreeing with Ms. An Ha, Ms. Phuong Nguyen, whose child is currently studying at Phan Chu Trinh Primary School, Ho Chi Minh City, said that summer is a time for children to participate in extracurricular activities, including academic competitions, to experience and test their abilities. The two main benefits of registering her child for the AMC are that the child will have more time to improve her English and the family will become closer as both parents and children study math together.
With a duration of 75 minutes for 30 questions, Minh Khang, a student from the High School for The Gifted, VNUHCM, shared that he felt pressured by the time even though the exam was manageable. He noted that the uniqueness of Australian mathematics is its focus on logical thinking and practical application. This helps students feel engaged, as the knowledge learned is useful.
Manh Dung and Hung Tai, 12th-grade students from Tri Duc Secondary-High School, Ho Chi Minh City, excitedly shared that this competition is an opportunity to test their abilities with a challenging international math exam and improve their English skills before entering their final year. With thorough preparation, the two students are confident they can secure 70% of the exam points.
Lastly, Thanh Dung, an 11th-grade student from the High School for The Gifted, VNUHCM, offered advice for students participating in the AMC next year:
“Start preparing early, about 30 days before the exam, to solve all types of problems and build up your vocabulary to avoid being unfamiliar with an international exam like the AMC.”
