In an era where the AMC is becoming increasingly difficult and the BMO has a high entry barrier, more and more high school students aiming for top STEM programs in the UK, US, and Canada are turning their attention to a "low-key yet high-impact" math competition: the Euclid Contest. Organized by the University of Waterloo, it avoids obscure or overly tricky problems, instead focusing on logic, process, and reasoning. More importantly, the top 25% globally receive a Distinction certificate, making it both accessible and highly valuable! It's no wonder people say: "The AMC is a stepping stone; Euclid is your passport."
I. Why Is Everyone Rushing to Take It? Three Core Advantages
1. High Recognition: Globally Respected by Top Universities
Canada: The University of Waterloo, University of Toronto (UofT), UBC, and others officially consider Euclid scores for admissions and scholarship decisions. For CS/Math/Engineering programs, 70+ is the baseline, and 85+ offers priority admission + scholarships.
UK/US: MIT, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, and others, while not requiring it, highly regard its academic rigor. It serves as a strong complement to the AMC.
Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong: The University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, NUS, and others also consider it strong proof of mathematical ability.
2. Moderate Difficulty: Achieving Distinction in 2–3 Months is Entirely Feasible
Stable knowledge scope: The contest covers core high school math content (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, sequences, probability, etc.) without exceeding the standard curriculum.
Structured question format: 10 long-answer questions. The first 7 are basic to intermediate—mastering them secures 60+ points.
Clear award thresholds:
Top 25% (Distinction) ≈ 68 points → Equivalent to solving the first 7 questions correctly + partial points from question 8.
Top 5% (Honour Roll) ≈ 85 points
Top 1% ≈ 95 points
Comparison with AMC: The top 5% in AMC 12 requires 100+ points (out of 150), with a fast-paced format and low margin for error. Euclid offers ample time (2.5 hours for 10 questions), making it better suited for students who prefer deep thinking.
3. Efficient Preparation: Individual Competition + Fast Results + Process Equals Ability
No need to form teams: It’s an individual contest, allowing you to prepare at your own pace.
Fast results: Scores are released 4–6 weeks after the exam, just in time for RD/UC application deadlines.
Direct skill development:
Enhances English reading comprehension and academic writing skills.
Develops rigorous logical expression and step-by-step solution habits.
Improves the ability to break down and model complex problems.
Ideal for:
Students with strong in-school math performance but limited contest experience.
Students who didn't perform well on the AMC and are looking for an alternative path.
Applicants targeting CS/Math/Engineering programs in Canada.
II. Awards: The Distinction Certificate is the "Gold Standard"
| Award | Global Percentage | Application Value |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Distinction | Top 25% | Most practical and cost-effective; can be directly listed on the Common App. |
| Honour Roll | Top 5% | Top-tier honor, key for Waterloo scholarships. |
| School Champion / Regional Award | School/Region | Background supplement, demonstrates leadership. |
| Participation Certificate | All candidates | Can be used as an activity record. |
III. Final Sprint Suggestions: Past Papers + Standardized Approach = High Score
1. Intensively practice past 5 years of papers, imitating the logic of official solutions.
Solve problems without time limits → analyze errors → compare with official marking schemes.
Focus on learning:
Which key phrases must be included (e.g., "By the Pythagorean Theorem...")
How to avoid point deductions for skipping steps.
English mathematical expression templates (e.g., "Let x be...", "Therefore, we conclude that...").
Remember: Over 50% of Euclid points come from the process! Being able to solve a problem does not guarantee scoring points.
2. Full-length mock exams + scientific answering strategy.
Goal allocation:
First 7 questions: Ensure full marks (≈60 points).
Questions 8-9: Aim for partial points.
Question 10: Attempt if time permits; otherwise, prioritize reviewing the first 7 questions.
Principle: Secure foundational points before tackling difficult problems.
IV. Three Key Points for Pre-Exam Skill Improvement
1. Strengthen your English math vocabulary.
Master high-frequency terms such as "quadratic," "congruent," "logarithm," "perpendicular" to avoid reading obstacles.
2. Train your ability to interpret complex problem descriptions.
When faced with long problem statements, use diagrams, tables, and variable annotations to extract key information.
3. Memorize core formulas and theorems.
Be able to recall formulas such as the law of cosines, geometric series sum, and change of base for logarithms effortlessly.
