Frequently Asked Questions Foire aux questions

Question 1: What are Jury Problems ?

The "Jury Problems" are those shortlisted for consideration by the Jury at a particular IMO. They are chosen by a "Problems Commmittee" set up by the host country. Problems not shortlisted are returned to their source so that they could be used in other competitions.

The shortlisted problems are then printed in a booklet for the Jury. A solutions booklet is also produced. Six of these problems will form the two IMO papers.

At one time the whole book of problems was given out to students. The Jury then requested the host country not to do that, and every member of the Jury was asked not to publish this useful source of original problems for a year, so that they could be used in training programmes.

Question 2: How can my country join the IMO?

The procedure is as follows:

1. The Ministry of Education of your country, and/or your country's national Mathematical Association, should send a formal letter of application for an invitation to send an Observer to the IMO in the host country. The letter should be addressed to

Professor John H Webb
Secretary, International Mathematical Olympiad Advisory Board
Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
University of Cape Town
7700 RONDEBOSCH
SOUTH AFRICA

The application should include information on how your country plans to select and prepare your national team for the event. Copies of national Mathematical Olympiad papers, for example, should be included. Any other relevant information (such as participation in regional Mathematical Olympiads) should also be included.

2. The application is then considered by the IMO Advisory Board. If the application for Observer status is approved, the host country will issue an invitation to your country to send an Observer or Observers to the IMO. Your country will be responsible for paying all costs involved, including the travelling expenses of the Observer's, and the relevant accommodation costs as set by the host country. (When a country becomes a full member of the IMO, all accommodation costs of the Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader and the team members are covered by the host country.)

3. At the IMO the Observer will be able to gain a great deal of insight into how the IMO is run, the standards expected of participating countries, and how other countries select and train their teams.

4. Full membership of the IMO is then granted for the following year .

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