Questions and Answers

Questions from school teachers or administrators who are new

Q: Who can register for the contest?

• Any schools, home-school associations or after-school institutions can register for the contest.

Q: Is the contest online?

• For the year 2021-2022, we will continue supporting various learning modes and offering the contest in two formats: traditional paper-pencil and online.

Q: My students are learning online this semester. Can we still participate in the contest?

• Yes. For the year 2020-2021, in order to support various learning mode, the team leader can choose to administer the contest in-person, online, or mixed the two options.

Q: Some of my students are virtual and some of my students are in-person. Can I administer the contest differently for these two types of students?

• Yes. For the year 2020-2021, in order to support various learning mode, the team leader can choose to administer the contest in-person, online, or mixed the two options.

 Q: What is the min/max number of students allowed on a grade-level team?

• You can have at most 30 students on a grade-level team. There is no minimum requirement. Since we use the sum of the top 6 scores to calculate the team score, your chance of winning the Team Achievement Award will be impacted if you don't have 6 students on your team. However, it won't impact your students' chance to win the National Honor Roll and Team Winner Medals.

Q: We cannot take the contest on the official testing date. Can we use the make-up dates instead?

• The registered school may choose any date within the make-up time frame to administer the contest. However, the deadline to submit scores remains the same. 

Q: Do I need student names during registration?

• No. During registration, we only need to know the lead teacher's contact information and the number of teams you would like to register.

Q: Where will the exam take place?

• For the year 2020-2021, in order to support various learning mode, we are giving teams both options: take the test online or take the test in person at each registered school.

Q: Do you accept purchase orders?

• Yes. We accept credit cards (online), checks, and purchase orders. If you need a copy of our W-9, send us an email request at . 

Q: How can our district central office pay for the registration for all schools?

• Ask teachers to register online, click on Pay by Check/P.O. option, then forward the district office their registration forms. Once the district office collects all registration forms, the office can mail us the payment along with a copy of all registration forms. 

More questions? Please contact us at

Questions from registered team leaders

Q: How can I prepare my students for the math contest?

• All registered team leaders will have access to two sets of contest problems and solutions.

• You may also purchase additional sets from our website.

• Students are encouraged to participate in Challenge Math Online, a weekly practice program that offers advanced problem-solving questions. Note: 1) Challenge Math Online membership is NOT included in the Math Contest registration fee. 2) Challenge Math Online is not available for grade 7 & 8 students. 

Q: When will I receive the actual tests?

• You will be able to download the actual tests 2-3 days before the testing day. Please log on to your account and click on 'Procedures'. The document lists all the important dates: the date you will receive the contest problems, the alternative dates to host the contest, the last date to enter student scores, and etc. The document also answers many of your questions and it helps new team leaders get started. Please read it at your earliest convenience.

Q: I cannot schedule the test on the official contest day. Can I schedule the tests on one of the make-up days?

• Definitely! That is why we have make-up dates. Simply make sure all of your participating students take the test on the same day.

Q: A student is sick during the contest day. Can he/she make up the test during one of the make-up dates?

• The make-up dates can ONLY be used for an entire team, not individuals. If an individual misses the test for any reason, no make-up test should be scheduled.

Q: Can a student participate in the contest at a different grade level?

• A student can only choose the same grade level he/she is currently in or a higher level.  For example, a second-grade student can choose to participate in a third-grade contest, but a third-grade student cannot choose to participate in a second-grade contest. However, one student can only participate in one level.

Q: How should we administer the contest to special needs students who have a 504 plan or an IEP?

• For special needs students, please follow the same procedures for other standardized tests and allow for any accommodations agreed upon within the students' plan.

Q: Do you have the tests in Spanish?

• No, we don't. If you would like to provide your students with the contest in Spanish or another language,  you must translate the tests on your own in advance.

Q: Do I need to delete absent students from the roster?

• You can, but you don't need to. We treat all students with a score of 0 as absent.

Q: How do you calculate team scores?

• We use the sum of the top 6 scores in a team as the team score.

Q: Do I need to buy medals for winning students?

• No, you don't need to pay for the medals. The registration fee covers the medal cost.  Click here to see the awards we issue.

More questions? Please contact us at

Questions from Parents

Q: I am interested in having my child participate in the contest, but my child's school won't offer it. Can I register my child for the contest on your website?

• Yes. However, it will be more fun and exciting for your child to participate with schoolmates and get recognized in school. So please explore the possibility of registering your child through his/her school. If the school teachers/administrators are not aware of this opportunity, pass the contest information to your principal and teachers, and urge them to host the contest in your school!  Budget shortage and time constraints are the two main reasons a school is not interested in. Offer your help by paying for the registration fee and holding practice sessions for students. 

Q: How do I register my children as individual participants?

• Go to the NLMC registration page, choose a parent/guardian to be the team leader, choose the registration type as 'Individual', register one team for each of your children.

Q: If my child participates as an individual, what medals/ribbons will my child be able to earn?

• Your student can earn 'National Honor Roll' medal and 'Honorable Mention' ribbon. However, your student will not be able to earn the 'Team Winner' medal.  

Q: How can I prepare my students for the math contest?

• The best way is to study the problems and solutions from the previous tests. You may purchase 2 sets of contest problems and solutions from our website.

• Students are also encouraged to participate in Challenge Math Online, a weekly practice program that offers advanced problem-solving questions.

More questions? Please contact us at