SASMO (Singapore & Asian Schools Math Olympiad) is an international mathematics competition open to students worldwide. Its core positioning is to allow students from Primary 1 to Senior High 12 to participate at a difficulty level matching their cognitive abilities through grade-specific papers. The competition uses strict grade-level grouping, with separate papers for each grade. Students are not permitted to register for a grade lower than their current one, but may choose to challenge a higher grade paper. The exam lasts 90 minutes with 25 questions, provided bilingually in Chinese and English, and calculators are prohibited throughout. Non-Singapore students can register through school group registration, authorised official channels, or the official website / designated online portals. Specific channels are subject to the official announcements for each region and season. Registration opening, closing, and exam dates are subject to official announcements for each season — the overall schedule is relatively stable, with exams typically held during specific periods and registration windows opening several months in advance. This article, based on the official SASMO rules, explains the target audience, G1–G12 level selection, and registration pathways for new families. It is worth noting that the top 40% of SASMO participants have the opportunity to receive a Bronze award or higher, making it an excellent choice for younger students to start their competition journey.
I. Who Is SASMO For?
1. Three Core Target Groups
- Lower Primary – G4 Students: SASMO is one of the few high-value international mathematics competitions available for younger age groups. The questions integrate Singapore's CPA (Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract) teaching method, emphasising logical reasoning and real-life application, making it an ideal competition for beginners to develop an interest in mathematics.
- G5–G10 Students with a Balanced Mathematics Foundation: At this level, questions begin to introduce algebraic thinking, geometric reasoning, and statistical probability, serving as an excellent benchmark for assessing extended learning beyond the school curriculum.
- Upper Secondary Students Targeting International Admissions: Certificates from the G11–G12 level are among the most prestigious international competition credentials at the primary and secondary level. The SASMO → SIMOC → IJMO → IMO progression pathway builds a bridge to the international mathematics stage. The competition is open to students in Grades 1–12 worldwide, with registration based on current grade level. Students may register for a higher grade group but cannot register for a lower one.
II. How to Choose Between G1–G12 Levels?
1. Core Assessment Focus for the Twelve Grade Groups
| Level Group | Core Assessment Focus | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|
| G1–G4 (Lower Primary) | Arithmetic & Statistics, Geometry & Measurement, Model Method for Word Problems, Non-Routine Problem Solving (number grids, divisibility, spatial imagination, logic puzzles, simple cryptarithms) | Register for your current grade by default; ideal for competition beginners |
| G5–G6 (Upper Primary) | Arithmetic & Statistics, Geometry & Measurement, Model Method / Algebraic Method for Word Problems, Non-Routine Problem Solving | Register for your current grade by default; may attempt a 1-level jump |
| G7–G8 (Lower Secondary) | Arithmetic & Algebra, Geometry / Graphs / Measurement, Pythagorean Theorem, Statistics, Non-Routine Problem Solving | Register for your current grade by default |
| G9–G12 (Upper Secondary to High School) | Arithmetic & Algebra, Geometry / Graphs / Measurement, Pythagorean Theorem & Trigonometry, Statistics & Probability, Non-Routine Problem Solving | Register for your current grade by default; certificates carry high value |
Note: The above topic distribution is compiled from the official SASMO syllabus. The competition features 12 independent groups for students from Primary 1 to Senior High 12, with separate papers for each grade to ensure difficulty matches cognitive levels at each stage.
There are two core rules for level selection: first, default to your current grade level; second, cross-grade registration is allowed, but only for higher grades — you cannot register for a lower grade. In other words, you can only "move up," not "move down." A 1-level jump is a feasible challenge, but jumping 2 or more levels is not recommended, as the gap in question style can be discouraging.
2. Competition Format and Scoring Rules
- Exam Duration: 90 minutes, individual competition, bilingual paper (Chinese and English).
- Question Types and Quantity: 25 questions in total, divided into two sections.
- Section A: 15 multiple-choice questions, 2 points each. Correct answer: +2, incorrect: –1, unanswered: 0. Total: 30 points.
- Section B: 10 short-answer questions, 4 points each. Correct answer: +4, incorrect or unanswered: 0. Total: 40 points.
- Starting Points Mechanism: To avoid negative scores, each student starts with 15 points. Total possible score: 85 points.
- Equipment Rules: Calculators are prohibited throughout. Scratch paper is permitted.
- Award Ratios: The top 40% of participants have the opportunity to receive Bronze or above. Awards include Perfect Score, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Honourable Mention, and Participation.
III. How Can Non-Singapore Students Register?
1. Three Officially Recognised Registration Channels
- Channel 1: School Group Registration. For students at SASMO officially certified test centres, registration is organised by the school.
- Channel 2: Authorised Official Channel Proxy Registration. Students from non-test-centre schools can register through officially authorised educational institutions or regional authorised contacts.
- Channel 3: Official Website / Designated Online Portal Self-Registration. In eligible regions, individual registration is supported through the official website or designated online portals. Specific regions and channels are subject to official announcements for each season. Registration requires identification (ID card or passport), proof of enrolment (student ID or certificate of attendance), and an electronic passport-style photo. All participants must register for the grade level corresponding to their current school grade. Submissions that do not meet the minimum requirements will be automatically voided or cancelled without refund.
2. Five-Step Individual Self-Registration Process
- Step 1: Enter the registration system. Visit the SASMO official website or the designated online registration portal and click the registration entry.
- Step 2: Information registration. Fill in the student's name, grade, ID/passport number, contact details, and guardian information. It is recommended to use pinyin for the name field to ensure consistency between Chinese and English.
- Step 3: Select the level group. The system will automatically match the group based on the student's current grade. Confirm the selection and submit. If the school name field is not mandatory, follow the system prompts.
- Step 4: Online payment. Fees are subject to the real-time display on the registration page. After successful payment, the system will automatically generate an electronic confirmation letter.
- Step 5: Confirmation notice. Check the registration confirmation email or in-system notification, and verify the candidate number, exam time, and test centre arrangement. Information can be modified free of charge before the registration deadline; modifications after the deadline incur an additional fee and can only be made within the specified pre-exam period.
3. Key Registration Rules and Pitfall Avoidance Tips
- Grade selection is a one-time decision: Register for your current grade. You may move up but cannot move down. Changing the grade after the deadline requires a fee and submission of proof of enrolment.
- Cross-region registration: For non-Singapore students whose schools are not partner test centres, check the official website for regional authorised contacts to register on your behalf.
- Online exam equipment: Online candidates must ensure a stable internet connection and follow system requirements to adjust camera and other equipment, with全程 video monitoring.
- Prohibited items: Calculators and communication devices are strictly prohibited. Scratch paper will be provided by the test centre or prepared according to system requirements.
- Seasonal timelines: Specific registration opening, closing, and exam dates are subject to official SASMO announcements for each season. It is recommended to monitor the official website for updates.
IV. Preparation Advice for Beginners
- Tip 1: Stick to your grade level and do not blindly jump levels. SASMO's twelve-level grouping is itself a scientific difficulty gradient. Participating at your current grade level best reflects the student's true mathematical ability.
- Tip 2: Familiarise yourself with the "starting points + penalty for incorrect answers" mechanism. In Section A, incorrect answers incur a –1 penalty, so prioritise accuracy over rushing to answer. In Section B, incorrect answers incur no penalty, so try not to leave any questions blank.
- Tip 3: Pay attention to non-routine problem solving. All grade levels include number grids, divisibility, spatial imagination, logic puzzles, cryptarithms, and other non-routine question types. Build problem-solving intuition through past paper practice.
- Tip 4: Practise with past papers thoroughly. The official website provides past paper resources. It is recommended to complete timed practice with papers from the last 3–5 years for your grade level before the exam. The 40% award rate means that "serious preparation" and "going in unprepared" yield significantly different results.
