IMTA First Year Competition

The IMTA First Year Competition is one of the most accessible ways for a student in Ireland to meet competition mathematics soon after entering post-primary school. It is not an accelerated exam and it does not require students to know advanced algebra. Instead, the paper uses short problems to test whether a student can read carefully, notice a pattern and choose a sensible route when the method has not been demonstrated in class. The competition has been running since 1994 and is organised by the Irish Mathematics Teachers' Association. Its scale is now significant: the 2026 event involved 18,660 students from 280 schools, according to IMTA. That national reach gives the competition a useful purpose for schools as well as students. A child can see how their problem-solving compares with a large group of peers, while teachers can use the questions to identify curiosity and confidence that may not be visible in ordinary homework. The format is deliberately compact: 15 multiple-choice problem-solving questions in 40 minutes, delivered online since 2021 and available in English and Irish. The open-looking format should not be mistaken for a low standard. The strongest questions often depend on eliminating an attractive but incomplete idea, estimating before calculating or translating a word problem into a diagram. We view this as a strong introduction to competition mathematics rather than an Olympiad pathway in itself. It is best for students who are curious, willing to try unfamiliar questions and ready to discuss mistakes without treating one score as a judgement on their ability. Parent perspective: the best preparation is learning to think aloud, not completing a large stack of worksheets. ---