Category: Blog

The 2025-26 season has concluded, and results and certificates have been announced; the 2026-27 season registration and exam dates have not yet been officially announced by SIMCC, but typically registration opens around September 2026 and the exam is held in March-April of the following year.

I. First, Understand the Score Structure of Your Failure

Don't start by blaming "I'm bad at math." First, break down the 85 points: 15 points starting score, 30 points Section A, 40 points Section B. Where you lost points becomes immediately clear.

Section	Points	Common Signal of Lost Points
Starting Score	15 points	Everyone gets these; does not reflect ability
Section A Multiple Choice	15 questions × 2 points = 30 points	Too many wrong guesses, mixed concepts, stuck on English terminology
Section B Short Answer	10 questions × 4 points = 40 points	Many blanks, broken steps, no geometric intuition
Perfect Score	85 points	Section A stable + Section B earns step marks + geometry does not collapse

Fill in this diagnostic table first during review:

Section A: How many correct, how many wrong guesses, how many blank

Section B: How many attempted, how many earned step marks, how many completely blank

Which area are lost points concentrated in: arithmetic, logic, geometry, or word problems

Was it "didn't know how," "misread the word," "miscalculated," or "ran out of time"

How many geometry problems were stuck because "no auxiliary line was drawn"

II. What Does It Look Like When Section B Is Not Conquered?

Section B has no penalty for wrong answers, but it is the most demanding in terms of "non-routine problem solving." Many students who fail to win an award did not collapse in Section A—they left 3-4 questions blank in Section B.

Types of Point Loss in Section B

Afraid to write: Thinking "if I didn't get an integer answer, there's no credit"—but setting variables and listing relationships also has value

Weak modeling: Sum-difference-multiple, age, chicken-rabbit, periodic, and pigeonhole principle problems have not formed routines

Geometry blanks: Area dissection, equal-area transformation, symmetry, and auxiliary lines have never been practiced

Time eaten by Section A: Spent too long guessing earlier, leaving only 10 minutes for Section B

Broken expression: Knowing the approach but unable to write coherent steps of "given → derivation → conclusion"

Section B Rescue Principles

Wrong answers do not lose points; write at least three lines per question: set up, list, derive

Keep non-integer intermediate results; they may be useful later

For geometry problems, supplement the diagram first: mark midpoints, parallel lines, perpendiculars, and equal sides

For number theory/logic problems, try small examples first, then induce the pattern

In the last 5 minutes, don't switch to new problems; filling in half a step for a blank question is worth more than forcing a calculation

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III. How to Judge If Geometry Auxiliary Line Practice Is Lacking

SASMO geometry does not test complex proofs, but it loves "reading the diagram and explaining it." Auxiliary lines are not mysticism—they turn hidden relationships into visible ones.

Phenomenon	Underlying Problem	How to Fix Next Season
Can't move even with a diagram	Only memorizing formulas, not practicing figure relationships	Draw 5 diagrams per week, marking side and angle relationships
Area problems all blank	No feel for dissection, translation, rotation	Start with rectangle/triangle dissection
Angle problems rely on guessing	Weak on vertical angles, parallel lines, triangle angle sum	Do 20 basic angle relationship problems as foundation
Confused by folding/symmetry	Spatial imagination not built from 2D first	Fold paper first, then draw, then write the equivalence relation

Auxiliary Line Training Sequence

First practice "connecting lines": midpoints, diagonals, center to chord

Then practice "drawing parallel/perpendicular": turning diagonal relationships into right angles or parallelograms

Then practice "extending": constructing similar triangles, exterior angles, completing the figure

Finally practice "dissection": converting irregular figures into rectangles + triangles

For every geometry error, redrawing the diagram once is more useful than recalculating ten times

IV. How to Set Goals for Next Season That Are Not Empty

Don't write outcome words like "win a gold award"; write process words like "fewer guesses in Section A, no blanks in Section B, how many geometry problems to practice per month."

Layered by This Result

Participation/Honorable Mention: First ensure no blind guessing in Section A, write three steps per question in Section B

Bronze Award edge: Supplement Section B modeling problems, open a separate module for geometry auxiliary lines

Silver Award edge: Increase timed training volume, control wrong answers in the first 15 questions to within 2

Gold Award edge: Practice non-routine Section B problems from past years, train "can derive even if never seen before"

Perfect Score pursuit: Train both speed and accuracy, revise short answer format according to marking standards

The 2026 SASMO season has concluded — the global exam was held on April 12, 2026. SIMCC released Batch 1, Batch 2, and Overall Final Results before July 2026, with approximately 61,730 students worldwide receiving awards. The official registration and exam dates for the 2027 season have not yet been announced by SIMCC. Based on historical patterns, registration typically opens around September 2026, with exams held in March–April 2027. Right now is the "golden window" for locking in your level and laying a solid foundation with the CPA pedagogy.

I. 2026–27 Season Key Timeline

SASMO is organized by the Singapore International Math Contest Centre (SIMCC). Founded in 2006, it is one of the largest mathematics Olympiads in Asia. The 2026 season dates have been confirmed, while the 2027 season dates are subject to official announcements on the SIMCC website and authorized test centers in China.

Phase	2026 Season (Concluded)	2027 Season (Estimated)
Registration Opens	September 1, 2025	To be announced by SIMCC; expected around September 2026
Registration Deadline	March 29, 2026, 23:59	Expected late March 2027
Official Exam	April 18, 2026 (Online)	Expected March–April 2027
Results Release	Batch releases from late May 2026; Overall Final Results before July	To be announced officially
Certificates & Medals	Mailed June–July 2026	To be announced officially

Note: The 2026 season dates are compiled from SIMCC's official registration page and announcements from authorized test centers in China. The 2027 season dates have not yet been officially released by SIMCC; the "Estimated" column is for planning reference only. Final dates are subject to the SIMCC official website (sasmo.simcc.org) and announcements from authorized test centers in China. Students in China must register through partner schools or officially authorized organizations; individual direct registration is not supported.

II. Twelve Levels from G1 to G12 and Level Selection Strategy

SASMO is divided into 12 independent groups according to the student's current grade. Each grade has its own unique paper, with 25 questions to be completed in 90 minutes. Students are allowed to register for a higher grade group (jump up), but registration for a lower grade group is prohibited — this is the first principle of level selection.

Stage	Group	Exam Duration	Core Topics & CPA Weight
K2–G2 Foundation	K2	60 min, 15 questions	Concrete manipulation + pictorial thinking; bar model modelling accounts for ~70%
	G1–G2	90 min, 25 questions	Basic arithmetic, shape recognition, simple logic; bar model modelling drops to ~70% (G2)
G3–G6 Primary	G3–G4	90 min, 25 questions	Comprehensive word problems, basic geometry; bar model modelling accounts for ~60–65%
	G5–G6	90 min, 25 questions	Ratio, percentages, basic equations; bar model modelling accounts for ~50–55%
G7–G9 Middle School	G7–G8	90 min, 25 questions	Linear equations, introductory geometry proofs; bar model modelling accounts for ~30–35%
	G9	90 min, 25 questions	Quadratic functions, circles and trigonometry; bar model modelling accounts for ~10–15%
G10–G12 High School	G10–G11	90 min, 25 questions	Advanced functions, introductory derivatives, complex numbers; abstract reasoning dominates
	G12	90 min, 25 questions	Introductory calculus, vectors, probability and statistics; difficulty approaches AMC 10

1. Registration Requirements and Competition Rules
   • Eligibility: K2 and G1–G12 students; register for the group corresponding to the current grade; the system automatically assigns the correct paper.
   • Jump-Up Policy: Students may register for a higher grade group; registration for a lower grade group is prohibited.
   • Exam Format: Bilingual (Chinese and English), individual competition; multiple-choice and short-answer questions; calculators are prohibited throughout.
   • Scoring Rules: Section A: 15 multiple-choice questions, +2 for correct, –1 for wrong, 0 for unanswered. Section B: 10 short-answer questions, +4 for correct, 0 for wrong or unanswered. Starting score: 15; total possible score: 85.
   • Advancement Path: SASMO → SIMOC (Singapore International Math Olympiad Challenge) → IJMO (International Junior Math Olympiad) → IMO. Bronze award and above are invited to SIMOC.
2. Grade-by-Grade Level Selection Recommendations
   • K2–G2: Must select the group for the current grade; the "Concrete" stage of the CPA pedagogy is key — build number sense using physical manipulatives like blocks and counters.
   • G3–G6: Bar model modelling accounts for 50–70% and is the most central skill tested in SASMO. Register for the current grade; cross-grade advancement requires careful assessment.
   • G7–G9: Transition from bar models to abstract algebra. Jumping from G9 to G10+ carries significant risk; it is advisable to stay in the current grade.
   • G10–G12: Difficulty approaches AMC 10. At the high school level, SASMO is best used as a warm-up for AMC; cross-grade advancement offers little benefit.
   • Criteria for Jump-Up: Only consider jumping to a higher grade if the student has already systematically completed the mathematics curriculum for that higher grade. Otherwise, "choose the lower grade" is the safer strategy.

III. Award Structure and Registration Pathways

SASMO awards are allocated based on global ranking percentages. Overall, approximately 40% of participants can achieve Bronze or above. In China, individual direct registration is not supported; students must use one of three compliant pathways.

Award	Global Ranking Percentage	Advancement / Benefits
Gold	Top 8%	Advances to SIMOC; Silver and above advance to STEAM AHEAD–IJMO
Silver	9%–20%	Advances to SIMOC
Bronze	21%–40%	Advances to SIMOC
Honourable Mention	41%–50%	No SIMOC advancement
Participation	Remaining 50%	Participation certificate

1. Three Registration Pathways in China (No Individual Direct Registration)
   • School Group Registration: If the school is an official SASMO test center, registration is handled through the school; the school coordinates with the organizing committee.
   • Authorized Agency Registration: For students whose schools are not partner test centers, this is the standard compliant channel. Registration fee in China is approximately RMB 300–400.
   • Direct Registration via Official Website or Mini-Program: Register independently through the SASMO official website or the "Eureka Events Registration" WeChat mini-program (supported in China).
   • Key Reminder: The 2026 season registration deadline was March 29, 2026, with no make-up opportunities after the deadline (some test centers may offer a supplementary registration channel). Registration for the 2027 season is expected to open around September 2026; it is recommended to secure a seat on the first day.

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IV. Autumn Preparation Plan Using the CPA Pedagogy

SASMO questions are deeply integrated with Singapore's unique CPA pedagogy (Concrete–Pictorial–Abstract), emphasizing logical reasoning and real-life applications. From August 2026 to the exam in March–April 2027, there are about 7–8 months. The core autumn actions are "CPA three-stage foundation building + grade-specific question-type breakthroughs."

CPA Stage	Time Window	Core Tasks
C – Concrete	August–October 2026	K2–G2: Use blocks, counters, ten-frames, and other manipulatives to build number sense. G3+: Use concrete objects to help understand abstract concepts like fractions, ratios, and negative numbers.
P – Pictorial	October–December 2026	Core training: bar model modelling. G1–G6: at least 3 bar model practice sessions per week. G7+: gradually transition to letters and equations.
A – Abstract	January–March 2027	Use algebraic symbols and equations to express problems. Complete 2 timed past-paper sets per week (90 minutes, 25 questions).

1. Autumn CPA Training Focus by Grade
   • K2–G2: The C stage is the absolute core — understand addition, subtraction, and comparison through hands-on activities. 15–20 minutes of parent-child math games per day is more effective than drilling.
   • G3–G4: The golden period for P-stage bar model modelling. Master three foundational bar models: Part-Whole, Comparison, and Equal Groups.
   • G5–G6: Bar model modelling accounts for ~50–55%. Master fraction bar models, ratio bar models, and area models. Simultaneously transition toward A-stage algebraic thinking.
   • G7–G9: Bar model modelling drops to ~30–35%; gradually replace with algebraic equations. However, P-stage pictorial thinking remains a powerful tool for solving word problems.
   • G10–G12: Abstract reasoning dominates; deep A-stage training. Bar models serve only as a supplementary tool; focus on functions, geometric proofs, and probability & statistics.
2. Bar Model – The "Singapore Secret" for Winning SASMO Awards
   • Part-Whole Model: Represents the relationship between a total and its parts. The most frequently tested type for G1–G3 word problems.
   • Comparison Model: Represents the magnitude relationship between two quantities. The standard approach for "how many more/less" problems.
   • Equal Groups Model: Represents repeated addition and introductory multiplication. A core topic for G2–G4.
   • Fraction & Ratio Model: Dividing a bar into equal parts to represent fractions and ratios. The key differentiator for G5–G6.
   • Area Model: Uses rectangular areas to represent multiplication and the distributive law. A core tool for G5+ geometry and algebra crossover problems.
3. Exam Strategy Under the "Starting 15 Points + –1 for Wrong Answers" Scoring System
   • 90 minutes for 25 questions = an average of 3.6 minutes per question. Section A has 15 multiple-choice questions worth 30 points — this is the baseline for a Gold award.
   • Section A Strategy: +2 for correct, –1 for wrong, 0 for unanswered. Under the "–1 for wrong" rule, blind guessing is worse than leaving a question blank, unless you can eliminate at least two incorrect options.
   • Section B Strategy: 10 short-answer questions worth 40 points, +4 for correct, 0 for wrong or unanswered. You must attempt these; leaving them blank means forfeiting 4 points each.
   • Meaning of the Starting 15 Points: Even if you leave everything blank, you have 15 points as a safety net, reducing frustration for younger students. However, to compete for Gold, you need Section A accuracy ≥80% and Section B accuracy ≥70%.
   • Calculators Are Prohibited Throughout: Long division, fraction operations, and percentage conversions must be done manually with fluency.
4. Registration and Preparation Reminders
   • Registration for the 2027 season is expected to open around September 2026 (based on historical patterns). The exact dates are subject to announcements on the SIMCC official website and authorized test centers in China. It is recommended to secure a seat on the first day.
   • In China, individual direct registration is not supported. You must register through school group registration, an authorized agency, or directly via the SASMO official website / "Eureka Events Registration" WeChat mini-program.
   • Jump-up registration is only allowed for higher grade groups; registration for lower grade groups is prohibited. Carefully assess any knowledge gaps for the higher grade before deciding to jump.
   • Bronze award and above qualify for advancement to SIMOC in Singapore — this is a core attraction of SASMO's "young-learner-friendly" design.
   • In the 2026 season, approximately 61,730 students worldwide received awards. With the top 40% overall receiving awards, SASMO is a low-threshold international competition accessible to students across all grades 1–12.
   • The core of autumn preparation is building a foundation with the CPA pedagogy — especially bar model modelling for G1–G6. The weighting decreases with grade (G2 ~70%, G5–G6 ~50–55%) and is the true differentiator for winning awards.

SASMO, as one of the largest mathematics Olympiads in Asia, integrates "school mathematics + Olympiad thinking" with the CPA pedagogy. It is an excellent training ground for students in grades 1–12 to strengthen their word-problem skills through mathematical modelling and to progress toward more advanced competitions like AMC. The 2026 season has concluded, with global results released in batches. Registration for the 2027 season is expected to open around September 2026, with exams held in March–April 2027. The 7–8 month window from now perfectly matches the complete cycle of "CPA three-stage foundation → bar model specialisation → timed past papers → full mock exam". Understanding the cross-grade rules for the twelve levels from G1 to G12 and mastering the "starting 15 points + –1 for wrong answers" scoring system are essential to truly have the strength to compete for Gold and beyond in the March–April 2027 exam.