Rules & Information

There are two competitions during the olympiad, an individual and a team competition.

INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION:

• It will last for 5 hours.

• The test will consist of four problems (one from each of the following categories: Algebra, Combinatorics, Geometry and Number theory).

• The order of the problems will not depend on their difficulty.

• Each problem is worth 8 points.

TEAM COMPETITION:

• It will last for 5 hours.

• Students from the same country work as a team, and each team will have their own room to work in. 

• The test will consist of eight problems (two from each of the following categories: Algebra, Combinatorics, Geometry and Number theory).

• The order of the problems will not depend on their difficulty. However, in previous years it has been generally true that within each category, the second problem is harder than the first one (so usually Problem 2 is harder than Problem 1, Problem 4 is harder than Problem 3, etc.)

• Each problem is worth 8 points.

The following items will be provided for you:

• a transparent bag for your own allowed materials (a storage room will be provided for other belongings),

• one-sided sheets of paper (you may ask for more),

• one colorful folder for each problem of the competition,

• Q&A form for questions regarding the problems,

• information sheet containing all important info and rules,

• water and some snacks,

• colourful cards for getting the organisers' attention,

• the problems of the competition in up to two languages (after the start),

• the exact remaining time until the end of the competition.

The following items are allowed to be brought to the competition room in the provided transparent bag:

• writing and drawing instruments,

• rulers, compasses, protractors in any shape (and similar items),

• food and drinks,

• medical items,

• silent wristwatches,

• talismans.

The following items are strictly forbidden:

• your own paper of any kind,

• any type of calculator,

• any type of computer, phone, digital/smart watch or other electronic device (medical items are exceptions).

If you cannot decide whether you can bring in an item or not, ask the organisers or the jury before the competition.

• Each contestant may write solutions in the language of his/her choice, provided that the leader or the deputy leader of his/her team can translate from that language.

• Please write with a dark pen. (Your papers will be copied and/or scanned; Anything that is not visible on the copy/scan will not be graded!)

• Please only write on the front side of each paper. (Your papers will be copied one-sided; Anything that is written on the back side will not be graded!)

• Please use each piece of paper for working only on a single problem. (Each problem will be graded by a different team of coordinators, and we cannot give the same piece of paper to two people.)

• On each paper, please fill out the information at the top of the page including your contestant code (or country code at the team competition), number of the problem, number of the page and contestant name (country name at the team competition).

• For organizational reasons, it is not allowed to hand in the papers before the end of the competition (except if agreed with the Jury beforehand, or in case of medical emergencies).

• There will be given one folder for each problem. Please place your solutions in the appropriate folders. 

During the contest days, six special, coloured cards will be given to each student (or team). They are for your problems, questions and emergencies. When you need something, just raise the suitable card and an organiser will come to you. Please use them, so that you don't disturb others. Only leave your seat if an organiser tells you do to so.

Here are the cards:

• Water. If you need a new water bottle.

• Toilet. If you need to go to the toilet. Note that due to the limited number of toilets, you might need to wait a little before an organiser allows you to go. If you have a toilet emergency that cannot wait, raise the SOS card as well. You will not be allowed to leave in the last 30 minutes of the competition.

• Paper. If you need more paper.

• Maths question. If you have some questions regarding one of the problems from the competition. A special Q&A paper will be given to you (or you can use the one proivded to you beforehand), where you can submit your issue. This paper will be brought to the jury (by an organiser), and the jury's response will be given to you shortly after. This can be only done in the first hour of the competition.

• Other. If you have any other problem.

• SOS. If you have a medical or some other kind of emergency, which requires immediate attention.

If you have any questions, problems or comments during the competitions or in general during the whole week, please feel free to ask any organiser. They are happy to help!