FAQs

Answer: The NCMC is a math competition for students in 3^rd through 8^th grades. The competition consists of three events, which focus on various mathematical concepts that students should master in each grade. The three events are: The Counting Game (tests students ability to count from any number, to any number, by any number), Magic Squares (students are awarded points for creativity in developing their own math problems) and Mental Math Workout (tests students Number Sense by asking them to solve given problems the ‘smart’ way without pencil and paper.)

Answer: Healthy Communities, a nonprofit organization, is the organizing entity of the NCMC. Healthy Communities provides and supports programs and initiatives that promote healthy minds and bodies. The mission of Healthy Communities is to provide healthy opportunities to individuals and communities, with an emphasis on youth, in the areas of education, health and wellness, community service and the arts. Mathnasium is the Local Competition Host Sponsor of the competition, and 9 of the Mathnasium Learning Centers throughout the state of North Carolina will serve as the host sites for all Local Competitions.

Answer: All students in 3^rd through 8^th grades (public, private, or home school) in North Carolina may participate. Participants may compete in one competition in their grade level or higher (one competition only.) Out-of-state participants may compete in the competition if they live within 100 miles of North Carolina and the closest Mathnasium Center in their state is located more than 100 miles from their home.

Answer: Prior to competition: All participants must register online at: www.NCMathCompetition.org. Online registration closes on Friday, October 7, 2011 at 5:00pm.
Day of competition: Participants may register on site at a participating Mathnasium Center the day of the competition, if space is available. Participants must pay the $30 day-of registration fee with cash.

Answer: The Local Competitions will take place on Saturday, October 8, 2011. The top 25 participants with the highest scores in each grade level will be invited to participate in the State Finals on Sunday, October 23, 2011.

Answer:  The Local Competitions (October 8, 2011) will take place in the 9 participating Mathnasium Centers across the state of North Carolina. Students may compete at the Mathnasium Center of their choice. The Mathnasium locations are as follows (alphabetical by city):

Note to students in the greater Raleigh area: the Cary Park or Durham Chapel Hill Mathnasium Centers are your closest participating Centers.

1. BURLINGTON: 1149-F St. Marks Church Road, Burlington, NC 27215,
   336-792-7000,
2. CARY PARK: 10120 Green Level Church Road, Suite 214, Cary, NC 27519,
   919-535-8892,
3. DURHAM CHAPEL HILL: 3604 Witherspoon Blvd, Suite 111, Durham, NC 27707,                919-490-5151, www.mathnasium.com/durham-chapelhill
4. GOLDSBORO: 2517 East Ash Street, Goldsboro, NC 27534,
   919-778-0112,
5. GREENSBORO: 1604-C Highwoods Boulevard, Greensboro, NC 27410,
   336-855-5558,
6. HUNTERSVILLE: 9630-A Sherrill Estates Road, Huntersville, NC 28078,
   704-896-8877,
7. LAKE NORMAN: Located in Mooresville Crossing 591-U River Hwy, Mooresville, NC  28117, 704-663-6284,
8. NORTH CHARLOTTE: 5342 Prosperity Church Road, Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28269,         704-837-1269,
9. SOUTH CHARLOTTE: 8133 Ardrey Kell Road, Suite 102, Charlotte NC 28277,              704-844-2717,

Answer: All competitors will receive a participation certificate, an official event T-Shirt and a goodie-bag. The students with the 25 highest scores in each grade level will also receive an invitation to compete in the State Finals on Sunday, October 23, 2011 on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, North Carolina.)

Answer: No! Anyone in grades 3^rd through 8^th may compete in the NCMC. Mathnasium students may register and compete at any participating Mathnasium Center (you do not need to register/compete at your current location, and not all Mathnasium Centers are serving as host sites.)

Answer:  100% of the registration fees assists with event hosting expenses, such as staffing, printing, participant prize money and school prizes.

Answer:  If you are registering prior to Friday, October 7, 2011 at 5:00pm you must register online and pay with a credit card over the secured network (PayPal) on the competition Web site: www.NCMathCompetition.org. If you are registering the day of the competition at a Mathnasium Center (if space is available), the registration fee increases to $30 which must be paid in cash. Mail-in registrations are no longer available.

Answer:  No. All problems during the competition are to be completed without the use of a calculator.

Answer:  No. You are not allowed to bring your own supplies. Participants will be provided with pencils, paper and all other necessary items for the competition.

Answer:  You do not need to bring anything to the competition. Simply be prepared to have a fun day!

Answer:  You must arrive 20 minutes prior to your registered competition time. Please arrive on time! Participants who arrive after the official registration time will not be able to compete and registration fees will not be refunded.

Answer: No. Parents are not allowed in the competition area while competition is taking place. Students need to be able to focus on the test.

Answer:  All students’ grades will be posted on the NCMC Web site, www.NCMathCompetition.org, according to their registration number for privacy on Tuesday, October 11, 2011. Winners will be announced on the front page of the site.

Answer: Download this PDF for a sample of the types of questions that will be asked for each test on the Local Competition page of the event Web site.