Think hard.
Solve beautifully.
Xola Math Challenge is a Singapore-based online problem-solving contest for curious students from Primary 5 to pre-university. Sit the exam from home on 17 January 2027.
How the Challenge works
Our impact in 2026
Scholarship fund 2027
0 of 400 places approvedScholarships cover the entry fee for students who need support. Apply through the registration form.
Why join?
Real thinking
Puzzles that reward ideas, not memorised formulas.
Take it from home
Both rounds are fully online, so there is no travel.
Medals and prizes
Gold, silver and bronze awards, with a second round for awarded students.
Open to all
Bursary places are available for students who need them.
Pick your division
Primary 5–6
Playful logic, patterns and number puzzles that reward patience.
Secondary 1–2
Algebra, geometry and counting problems with a twist.
Secondary 3–JC
Olympiad-style problems and number theory for serious solvers.
Trusted by schools and maths classes across Singapore
Some of our 120 partners.
Registration closes 30 December
Join thousands of students solving problems this January.
About the Challenge
Xola is based in Singapore. It started in 2016 with 60 students in one school hall. Today it is one of the region’s largest friendly math contests, and it now runs fully online. We believe maths is a way of thinking, and that every student can enjoy a hard problem.
Our mission
Make problem solving exciting, and find young talent early, whatever school they attend.
What we test
Reasoning, creativity and persistence. Questions need school maths plus a good idea.
What you win
Medals and certificates for awarded students, plus a place in Round 2.
Format
| Round | Date | Who | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 17 January 2027 | All registered students | Online |
| Round 2 | 20 February 2027 | Awarded students from Round 1 | Online |
Divisions
Pick the division that matches your current school level. Strong students may apply one level up with a teacher’s note.
Primary 5–6
Topics: number patterns, fractions, logic grids, simple geometry.
Secondary 1–2
Topics: algebra, ratios, angles, counting, divisibility.
Secondary 3–JC
Topics: number theory, inequalities, combinatorics, geometry.
Awards
Awards are given from Round 1 scores. Awarded students go on to Round 2.
| Award | Who gets it |
|---|---|
| Gold | Top 5% of each division |
| Silver | Next 10% |
| Bronze | Next 15% |
There is no award ceremony. Results and certificates are sent online.
How to apply
Any student in Singapore at the right school level can enter. Registration closes on 30 December 2026. It takes about five minutes.
Who can enter?
- Junior: Primary 5 or 6 students in Singapore
- Intermediate: Secondary 1 or 2 students
- Senior: Secondary 3 to 5 and junior college students
- Partner school or class students can register through their coordinator
- Other students can register on their own using this form
Choose your division
Check the Divisions page to match your school level.
Fill in the form below
Use the student’s full name as on their school ID. Add a parent or teacher email.
Pay the entry fee
The entry fee is $5.77 per student. Bursaries are free for students who need them.
Get your confirmation
We email your candidate number, practice papers and online exam instructions before 17 January.
Sit the exam online
Join from home on 17 January 2027 with a computer or tablet and a stable internet connection.
Register
Schedule
Everything runs online. We email registered students before each date.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 30 Dec 2026 | Registration closes |
| 17 Jan 2027 | Round 1 online exam for all registered students |
| End of Jan 2027 | Round 1 results and awards announced |
| 20 Feb 2027 | Round 2 online exam for awarded students |
| End of Feb 2027 | Final results announced. There is no award ceremony. |
Practice zone
Try a problem from each division. Type your answer and check it.
Junior
Intermediate
Senior
Registered students also get a full practice paper by email.
Our partners
Over 120 schools and maths learning centres across Singapore take part in the Challenge. Partners nominate a teacher or tutor as coordinator, share practice papers and register students in groups. Students from any school or class can also enter on their own.
Eligible schools
Primary, secondary and junior college students studying in Singapore. Students from maths enrichment classes and tuition centres are welcome too.
Become a partner
Any school or maths class can join. Email us and we will set up a coordinator account.
Partner benefits
Group registration, score reports for your students and extra practice sets for classes.
Find your school or class
Questions
Do I need to be a maths genius?
No. Many questions need only school maths and a clever idea. Practice papers help a lot.
How does the online exam work?
You join from home with a computer or tablet and a stable internet connection. Full instructions are emailed before the exam.
Can I use a calculator?
No. Keep pen and paper ready for your working.
Who goes to Round 2?
Students who earn an award in Round 1. Round 2 is on 20 February 2027, online.
When are the results?
Round 1 results are out at the end of January. Final results are out at the end of February.
Is there an award ceremony?
No. Results and certificates are shared online.
Is there help with the fee?
Yes. Bursary places are available. Email us and we will help.
Can I change my division after applying?
Yes, until registration closes on 30 December. Just email us.
Can homeschooled students enter?
Yes. Choose the division for your age and apply as normal.
Contact us
Questions from students, parents and teachers are all welcome. We reply within two working days.
hello@xolamath.example
Phone
+65 6000 0000
Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
Office
Xola Learning Hub
1 Example Road, Singapore