Senior Mathematical Challenge

Competition date: Wednesday 7th October 2026

First Round Challenge: A 90 minute first round Challenge, with 22 multiple choice questions and three 000-999 digit questions*, aimed at students year 13 or below. The problems on the Senior Maths Challenge are designed to make students think. Stimulating problems for both beginners and experienced problem-solvers.

*New for 2026!

This year we are trialling a change for the last three questions of the SMC. Instead of the last three questions being multiple choice, they will be in 000-999 format, where students will have to choose three digit answers.

Example answer sheets will be available soon so you can help your students prepare.

How it works

Purchase entries

Sit challenge

Receive results

For full information on how to host the Senior 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 Saturday 11th October. Candidates in time zones more than 2 hours ahead of GMT must sit the paper on Friday 10th October (as defined locally).