Registrations for IKMC now open! Last date to register is 5th March 2026. Competition date is 14th April 2026.
Excel in Math
Embrace the Challenge!
History
Founded in 1994 by mathematicians from ten countries in Strasbourg, France, the International Kangaroo Mathematics Competition was established to make mathematical thinking accessible, enjoyable, and intellectually stimulating for students worldwide.
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In 1995, the initiative was formally organised under Association Kangourou Sans Frontières (AKSF), creating a global, non-profit network dedicated to promoting problem-solving and creative reasoning in mathematics.
Since then, IKMC has grown into the world’s largest school-based mathematics competition, with participation from over 120 countries and millions of students each year, while continuously evolving in quality, fairness, and international coordination.
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A defining feature of the competition is its academic rigour and integrity. In 2025, over 250 mathematicians and mathematics educators from AKSF member countries gathered in Istanbul to collaboratively design, review, and democratically approve the official IKMC problems—ensuring that each year’s competition reflects the highest international standards of mathematical thinking and educational value.
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Value
The International Kangaroo Mathematics Competition is guided by a simple but powerful philosophy:
mathematics should inspire curiosity, confidence, and joy in thinking.
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IKMC problems are carefully crafted by international experts to go beyond routine calculations. They encourage logical reasoning, creativity, and insight, helping students view mathematics not as a subject to memorise, but as a language to explore.
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The competition is widely supported by leading educators, mathematicians, and academic institutions across the world and is respected for its consistency, transparency, and educational purpose.
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Benefits for Students
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Engages students with non-routine, thought-provoking problems
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Builds confidence through international benchmarking and recognition
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Develops reasoning and problem-solving skills valuable beyond the classroom
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Supports long-term preparation for higher education entry tests and academic challenges
Benefits for Schools
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Enhances a school’s academic profile through international participation
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Promotes a culture of critical thinking and intellectual curiosity
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Provides students with meaningful enrichment beyond the regular curriculum
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Aligns schools with a globally recognised educational initiative
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Participating Countries
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More than 120 countries are official members of Kangourou Sans Frontières (AKSF) and participate in the International Kangaroo Mathematics Competition each year.
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The full list of participating countries is available at:
https://www.aksf.org
CONDUCTED IN OVER 120 COUNTRIES
For Classes 1-12
120 + Participant Countries
MCQ Based
Participation certificate
Medals, Badges and other prizes
Duration: 120 Mins
BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION
For Students:
1. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: The competitions offer intellectual challenges through unique problems that require critical thinking, logical reasoning, and creativity, helping to develop robust problem-solving abilities.
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2. Exposure to Diverse Topics: The competitions cover a wide range of subjects and themes, broadening students’ knowledge beyond standard curricula and sparking interest in new areas of study.
3. International Recognition: Participation leads to awards and recognition on an international scale, enhancing students' resumes and university applications.
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4. Boosted Confidence: Successfully tackling complex problems can significantly boost a student’s confidence in their academic abilities, encouraging a growth mindset.
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5. Improving Performance on Higher Education Entry Tests: Engaging with challenging questions aids in improving performance on higher education entry tests, giving students an advantage in their academic pursuits.
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6. Development of a Love for Learning: Engaging with innovative and fun problems can inspire a lifelong love of learning and curiosity, encouraging students to pursue further studies in STEM and linguistics fields.
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7. Preparation for Future Competitions: Early exposure to competitive environments helps students build resilience and adaptability, preparing them for future academic and professional challenges.
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8. Awards and Rewards: Every student participating in the International Kangaroo Competitions receives certificate of participation. The winners get medals, badges and certificates recognized worldwide in all member countries.
For Schools
1. Enhanced Reputation: Schools that participate in International Kangaroo competitions demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence, enhancing their reputation within the community and attracting potential students.
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2. Recognition and Awards: Schools with high student participation and strong performance receive awards and recognition. Coordinators and principals also benefit from awards, reinforcing the aim to ensure that no student misses out.
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3. Encouragement of STEM and Linguistic Education: Participation emphasizes the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and linguistic education, aligning with global educational trends and standards.
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4. Engagement and Motivation: The competitions motivate students and staff, fostering a culture of engagement and enthusiasm for learning, which can lead to improved overall performance in the classroom.
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5. Development of Critical Thinking Skills: Schools can promote the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students, preparing them for future academic challenges.
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6. Professional Development for Educators: Coordinators and teachers involved in preparing students for the competitions may gain insights and skills that enhance their teaching practices.
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7. Holistic Student Development: The competitions encourage a holistic approach to education, focusing on intellectual growth and personal development, which can benefit the school’s overall educational mission.
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8. Data and Insights: Participation provides schools with valuable data on student performance and areas for improvement, informing curriculum development and teaching strategies.
120+ countries with thousands of schools and millions of students participate in the IKMC every year. To view a list of the participating countries, click here
For participating students:
Participation in IKMC connects students to one of the world’s most prestigious mathematics competitions, recognised worldwide. Medals, badges, and certificates are awarded according to performance, with every student receiving an official certificate. These internationally recognised credentials carry strong weight in university admission applications, showcasing both academic excellence and global competitiveness.
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For coordinators: As a reward to maximise participation in the competitions, coordinators are eligible for appreciation certificates, cash awards and trips.*
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* terms and conditions apply
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Download School Poster
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Click to download poster. If you want a printed poster to be sent to your school, please email us at info@kangarooqatar.org
HOW TO REGISTER?​
Students may only register through their public, private schools
and educational centres/ institutions only.
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Instructions for schools to register for IKMC:
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1) REGISTER YOUR SCHOOL
Register your school (free) with official email, school details (Address, contact numbers, Principal and Coordinator information address etc) and set up a password. Click below to register.
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2) LOGIN TO SCHOOL PROFILE
Once registered, click login (click "School Login on top menu" and enter). Once created, the same school profile should be used to participate in future contests. In case you forgot your password, click "forgot password" to get password change instructions on the registered email.
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3) SELECT CONTEST
Once on school dashboard, click "Contest" > "IKMC".
4) ADD STUDENTS
After selecting the desired contest, click "add students". You need student name, father's/ guardian's name and grade/class. Once all students are added, you may proceed to payment.
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5) MAKE PAYMENT
Payments should be sent consolidated i.e QAR 100 x total number of students registering for the competition. Payments to be made by the school in the following account via deposit or online transfer:
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Bank: UNITED BANK LIMITED
Branch: CORNICHE BRANCH (0908)
Account title: ACUMEN EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANCY
Account No: 400125974
IBAN No: QA27 UNIL 0000 0000 0000 4001 2597 4
Swift Code: UNILQAQA
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6) ATTACH PROOF OF PAYMENT
Attach proof of payment within the contest page after adding all students and making the payment.
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7) SUBMIT & CHECK CONFIRMATION EMAIL
Once complete, submit your entries and you shall get an email confirmation of your participation details on the registered email.
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Should you have any questions or require assistance in the registration, please feel free to reach us at info@kangarooqatar.org and a representative will get in touch.
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