Category: Blog

I. Basic Contest Information (2026 Season)

Item	Details
Organizer	CEMC, University of Waterloo, Canada
Registration Deadline	March 5, 2026 (Schools are advised to complete registration 1–2 weeks in advance)
Exam Date	• North & South America: March 31, 2026 (Tuesday) • Other regions (including China): April 1, 2026 (Wednesday)
Exam Format	Paper-based offline exam (organized by authorized test centers)
Duration	2.5 hours
Question Types & Scoring	10 short-answer questions, total 100 points • Some questions contain sub-questions (a)(b) • Full solution process required (answers alone receive no credit)
Score Release	5–6 weeks after the exam (expected mid-to-late May 2026)

II. Target Audience

Goal-Oriented Students:

Planning to apply to Canada's Top 5 universities (University of Toronto, UBC, McGill, Waterloo, McMaster).

Interested in applying to Waterloo's Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, Actuarial Science, or Business programs.

Hoping to leverage contest results for undergraduate scholarships (Waterloo has clear scholarship thresholds for Euclid scores).

Profile Enhancers:

Students in Grades 10–12 who want to add a high-value academic credential to their applications to UK, US, and Canadian schools.

Students with a solid math foundation (equivalent to Chinese Grade 12/Canadian Grade 12 level) who have not participated in advanced competitions like AIME.

Value Seekers:

Compared to AIME (average score only 4–5/15), achieving 75+ in Euclid is more attainable, and its recognition in Canada is extremely high.

III. Exam Content & Weight Distribution

The knowledge points of the Euclid contest are highly stable, focusing on core high school mathematics + logical expression:

Module	Weight	High-Frequency Topics
Plane Geometry & Analytic Geometry	≈35%	Triangle properties, Power of a Point theorem, coordinate method for area calculation, vector applications, ratio and proportion proofs
Algebraic Operations	≈30%	Equation solving, inequalities, function properties, sequences (arithmetic/geometric), polynomials (factorization, relationship between roots and coefficients)
Combinatorics & Probability	Always tested	Fundamental counting principles, probability models (often combined with number theory/algebra, appearing in Q5–Q10)
Trigonometry	≈1 question	Trigonometric identity transformations, solving triangles (a strength for Chinese students)
Number Theory	1–2 questions	Prime numbers, GCD/LCM, modular arithmetic, Diophantine equations (mostly in Q9–Q10)
Functions & Logarithms	Interspersed	Inverse functions, composite functions, change of base formula for logarithms

Question Features:
- Calculus, complex numbers, and solid geometry are not tested.
- Emphasis on process writing: even if the answer is wrong, clear logic can earn partial credit.
- Highly integrated final problems: Q8–Q10 often combine 2–3 modules (e.g., "sequences + number theory," "geometry + algebra").

IV. Answer Strategies by Question Type (Step‑by‑Step Breakthrough of the 10 Questions)

Q1–Q4: Foundational Questions (Goal: Perfect Score)

Features: Direct application of formulas, mainly computational.
Strategies:
- Strengthen speed training; aim to complete the first 4 questions within 10 minutes.
- If English reading is challenging, preview the questions from the past 5 years' exams in advance and build up high‑frequency expressions.

Q5–Q7: Intermediate Questions (Goal: Score 70%+)

Features: Require simple modeling or case classification.
Strategies:
- Sub‑questions are independent: if stuck on (a), skip to (b) directly.
- Avoid brute‑force calculation: complicated equations always have a clever method (symmetry, substitution, factorization).
- Write standard solutions: even when stuck, write down the given conditions and the direction of your attempts.

Q8–Q10: Final Challenging Questions (Goal: Snatch Process Points)

Features: Highly integrated, requiring deep thinking.
Strategies:
- Prioritize securing correctness for the first 7 questions before tackling the final problems.
- Write down key steps clearly, e.g., "Let the common ratio be r," "By the Pythagorean theorem…".
- Time allocation: ≤15 minutes per question; if time runs out, stop and return to check the foundational questions.

I. Euclid Contest Basic Format

Aspect	Details
Organizer	University of Waterloo (CEMC)
Exam Format	Written (paper or computer-based, depending on center)
Duration	2.5 hours (150 minutes)
Number of Questions	10 long-answer questions, each with 2–3 parts
Total Score	100 points (10 points per question, awarded step‑by‑step)
Answer Requirements	Short-answer + full-solution: full reasoning required; answers alone receive no credit
Language	English (scratch work may be in any language, but final answers must be in English)

Key Features:
- First 5 questions are basic, last 5 are advanced, with a stepwise difficulty progression.
- The final challenging problems (Questions 9–10) often involve Olympiad-level thinking, separating top students.
- High step‑by‑step scoring weight: "Write everything you know" – you can still earn points even if you don't reach the final answer.

II. Six High-Frequency Core Question Types (Based on the Last 10 Years of Past Papers)

Euclid covers core areas of high school mathematics. The following six question types appear almost every year:

Question Type	Key Topics	Weight	Student Pain Points
1. Logarithms & Exponents	Laws of logs, change of base, exponential equations	≈15–20 points	Confusing log properties, neglecting domain restrictions
2. Functions & Equations	Polynomials, quadratic functions, equation solving, function graphs	≈15 points	Missing casework, incomplete solutions
3. Analytic Geometry	Equations of lines/circles, distance formulas, intersection points	≈10–15 points	Calculation errors, unclear geometric interpretation
4. Trigonometry	Simplification, identity proofs, solving trigonometric equations	≈10–15 points	Weak area for most students, confusion of formulas
5. Sequences & Series	Arithmetic/geometric sequences, recurrence relations, summation techniques	≈10 points	Difficulty modeling recurrences, limited summation methods
6. Circle Geometry	Power of a point, tangent properties, angle relationships	≈10 points	Unable to draw auxiliary lines, rigid application of theorems

Exam Trends: In recent years, cross-module integrated problems have increased, such as "using trigonometry to solve geometric optimization" and "sequences combined with function iteration."

III. Difficulty Gradient of the 10 Questions

Question Range	Difficulty	Skills Required	Target Score
Questions 1–5	Basic	Mastery of in-class knowledge and basic calculations	Goal: Perfect score (50 points)
Questions 6–8	Intermediate	Flexible application + multi-step reasoning	Goal: 6–8 points per question
Questions 9–10	High difficulty	Creative thinking + Olympiad techniques	Goal: Solve part (a) (2–4 points per question)

Key to Winning an Award: Steadily score 70+ points on the first 8 questions, then earn step‑by‑step points on the last 2 → A total of 80+ points puts you in the global top 5%!

IV. Awards and Prestige

Award	Description	Prestige
Certificate of Distinction	Top 25% globally	Important credential for applying to top Canadian universities like Waterloo, University of Toronto, UBC
Honour Rolls	Separate lists for Canadian official and unofficial participants, plus international participants	For international students, making the list proves top-tier mathematical ability
Contest Medal	Awarded to the top student at each school	Highest honor within the school
Plaque + Cash Prize	Top 5 in Canada: CAD 500; 6th–15th: CAD 200	Only for official Canadian participants

Value for University Applications:
- University of Waterloo: Euclid scores are directly used in admissions assessments for Engineering, CS, and Mathematics programs.
- UK/US Universities: Can serve as supplementary academic evidence for STEM applicants (especially useful for those without AMC scores).
- Global recognition: Complements AMC12 and AIME, showcasing rigorous mathematical literacy.