Intermediate Mathematical Challenge

Competition date: Wednesday 27th January 2027

A 60-minute, 25-question multiple-choice Challenge designed to encourage mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency. The problems on the Intermediate Maths Challenge are mostly accessible but also provide challenges for more experienced students, promoting careful thinking and problem-solving.

How it works

Purchase entries

Sit challenge

Receive results

For full information on how to host the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge please visit the Competition Handbook.

Instructions

The use of blank paper for rough working is allowed; squared paper, calculators and measuring instruments are forbidden.

Use a B or an HB non-propelling pencil.

Do not expect to finish the whole paper in the time allowed. The questions in this paper have been arranged in approximate order of difficulty with the harder questions towards the end. You are not expected to complete all the questions during the time. You should bear this in mind when deciding which questions to tackle.

The questions on this paper are designed to challenge you to think, not to guess. You will gain more marks, and more satisfaction, by doing one question carefully than by guessing lots of answers. This paper is about solving interesting problems, not about lucky guessing.

To accommodate candidates in other time zones, please do not discuss any aspect of the paper on the internet until 8am GMT on Friday 30th January 2026. Candidates in time zones more than 2 hours ahead of GMT must sit the paper on Thursday 29th January 2026 (as defined locally).