Competition · Math · CEMC, University of Waterloo

Canadian Senior and Intermediate Mathematics Contests

Two-hour CEMC contests for high school: CIMC for Grades 9–10 and CSMC for Grades 11–12. Written at school on November 18, 2026. Schools must order by October 22.

Last checked October 5, 2026 against the official page

What do I need to do?

Ask the math teacher to register your child by October 22

Who acts
Your child's school
Preparation
Some preparation Past CEMC contests are the best practice
Eligible grades
Grades 9–12
Format
On paper at school, 2 hours, written individually.
Cost
$14 per student, plus a $5 processing fee and $5 shipping per school order.
Official site
cemc.uwaterloo.ca

Key dates

  • ConfirmedSchool ordering deadlineThu, October 22, 2026Remind me
  • ConfirmedContest dayWed, November 18, 2026Remind me

Get a reminder before every deadline for your child →

Confirmed official date · Expected based on last year · Not announced yet

What it is

The Canadian Intermediate Mathematics Contest (CIMC) is for Grades 9 and 10. The Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest (CSMC) is for Grades 11 and 12. Motivated younger students may write either one.

Each paper has 9 questions: 6 where only the answer counts and 3 where students write full solutions. It's worth 60 points.

It's the main fall contest from CEMC for high school students, and a good warm-up for the spring contests.

A good fit if: High school students who did well on Pascal, Cayley or Fermat and want a harder contest with written solutions.

How to register

  1. Students can't register themselves. A teacher orders the contest for the school through the CEMC Contest Supervisor Portal. If your school doesn't take part, you can ask another local school to let your child write with them.
  2. The school ordering deadline is October 22, 2026, so ask your child's math teacher now.

How to prepare

  • Past contests and solutions are free at cemc.uwaterloo.ca/resources/past-contests.
  • Practise writing full solutions, not just answers. Part B is marked on the reasoning.

For grade-by-grade options see Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12.

Common questions

Which one should a Grade 10 student write?

The CIMC is for Grades 9 and 10. Strong younger students may write the CSMC instead, but awards are aimed at each contest's grades.

Are there prizes?

The top 25% get a certificate, school champions get a medal, and the top 5 Canadian students win cash prizes: $300 for CIMC and $500 for CSMC.

What comes next

Competition · Math

Fryer, Galois and Hypatia Mathematics Contests

Four-question CEMC contests where students write full solutions: Fryer (Grade 9), Galois (Grade 10) and Hypatia (Grade 11). Written at school on April 7, 2027.

Grades 9–11$12 per studentSome preparationCompetition · Math

Euclid Mathematics Contest

The University of Waterloo's senior contest for Grade 12, written at school on April 6, 2027.

Grade 12$18 per studentSignificant preparation

Sources

Last checked October 5, 2026. Dates can change, so always confirm with the organizer.