When it comes to international math competitions, many parents immediately think of high-difficulty, high-investment contests like AMC and AIME, and assume that their child—"not a competition-oriented student"—probably stands no chance. But in fact, the Euclid Mathematics Contest is precisely the opposite: it does not demand advanced problem-solving tricks or raw talent; it rewards consistency and a solid grasp of fundamentals. If you are still weighing whether to enroll your child in an international math competition, or worry that heavy preparation might not yield an award, Euclid may be the most suitable choice.
I. Three Groups of Students Who Are Especially Suited for Euclid
1. Students with a strong foundation in school mathematics, but without traditional competition training
The Euclid contest does not blindly pursue advanced competitive techniques; instead, it places greater emphasis on mathematical fundamentals and logical reasoning ability. For students in Grade 10 or 11 who perform well in regular math courses, think clearly and logically, but lack systematic competition training, Euclid offers an excellent entry point.
2. Students with good English skills who intend to study in North America (especially Canada)
Euclid scores are highly regarded by North American universities and serve as a "hard currency" for STEM applications. For students targeting the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Mathematics and Faculty of Engineering in particular, Euclid results are a core reference in admission decisions and entrance scholarship awards.
3. Students seeking high cost-effectiveness and a quick boost to their competition profile
Compared to high-intensity contests such as AMC12 and AIME, Euclid is notably more moderate and stable in difficulty—overall positioned between AMC10 and AMC12. The preparation cycle is short and the return on investment is exceptionally high: the top 25% globally receive a Certificate of Distinction. For students with strong math test-taking skills, just a short period of targeted training—adapting to North American mathematical logic and English expression—can yield impressive results with relatively low time investment, adding significant weight to college applications.
II. Difficulty Positioning: Between AMC10 and AMC12, Top 25% Earn an Award
Many parents ask: just how difficult is Euclid? Objectively speaking, Euclid's difficulty falls between the AMC10 and AMC12.
The contest is scored out of 100 points, with a duration of 2.5 hours. It consists of 10 long-answer questions, each containing 2–3 sub-questions, progressing from easy to challenging.
More importantly, the award threshold is relatively accessible—scoring in the top 25% earns a Certificate of Distinction. For Chinese students, whose mathematical test-taking ability is generally strong, achieving this certificate is not particularly difficult after short-term training to become familiar with North American problem-solving logic and response conventions.
Looking at historical cutoff scores, Euclid's scoring system is remarkably stable. Based on data from 2019 to 2026, the fluctuations in the average score and the top-25% cutoff have consistently remained within 1–3 points, ensuring both the value and fairness of the awards remain intact:
- Certificate of Distinction (Top 25% globally): 66 points
- Global average score: 52.2 points
- School Medal Champion (School Champion Award): 52 points
The slight decline in the 2026 cutoff is not because the questions became easier, but rather a natural consequence of adjustments in the question design style.
III. 2026 Euclid Trends: What's Changing?
The 2026 Euclid contest has revealed clear trends in question design. Future test-takers should prepare accordingly:
Signal 1: Emphasis on understanding, not rote techniques
Questions are moving away from the direct application of single知识点 (knowledge points) and instead require students to truly grasp mathematical definitions and derivation processes, rather than relying on template-based problem-solving. This means that the strategy of "brute-force practice of question types" is becoming less effective—understanding the essence of concepts is the key to scoring.
Signal 2: Cross-topic integration
Euclid is breaking down the barriers between algebra, geometry, probability, and other modules. The proportion of questions that combine multiple knowledge areas has increased significantly. For example, there are now more questions that integrate analytic geometry with probability, closer to the thinking patterns of university-level mathematics. Students need to develop the ability to "call upon knowledge across modules."
Signal 3: Geometry questions are moving away from fixed models
Common fixed geometric models found in traditional competitions are being reduced. Instead, students are expected to perform rigorous derivations by setting up coordinate systems and using proportional relationships. This places higher demands on spatial imagination and the completeness of logical chains.
IV. Advice for Parents and Students
If you match any of the following profiles, Euclid is worth prioritizing:
- Above-average math grades at school, but no competition background
- Targeting Canadian or North American undergraduate programs and needing academic profile enhancement
- Limited time, hoping to exchange 3–6 months of preparation for a highly recognized certificate
In terms of preparation strategy, avoid the old "drilling endless problems" approach. Instead:
- Focus on understanding core concepts and derivations rather than memorizing problem templates
- Practice cross-topic questions to build flexible thinking
- Get familiar with the English mathematical expression and North American style of problem presentation
- Work through past papers to understand the progression of difficulty within each long-answer question
