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About APMOPS
The Asia Pacific Mathematical Olympiad for Primary Schools (APMOPS) is an annual maths olympiad for upper primary pupils, organised by Hwa Chong Institution in Singapore. It is aimed at Primary 6 pupils (around Grade 6), with a limited number of Primary 5 pupils from Singapore schools also taking part, and it is held in Singapore and at overseas centres across the Asia Pacific region.
APMOPS past papers are well known among olympiad students for their non-routine problems, and they are used widely for training even by students who do not sit the competition. This page explains who APMOPS is for, the two rounds, the exam format and scoring, and how to prepare.
Overview
APMOPS began in 1990 as the Singapore Mathematical Olympiad for Primary Schools (SMOPS). In 2002 it was renamed APMOPS to include overseas centres from Asia Pacific countries. Older papers and many study materials still use the name SMOPS, and they refer to the same competition.
Hwa Chong Institution runs the competition every year. Its stated aim is to generate greater interest in mathematics among primary school pupils and to sharpen their problem-solving skills. Overseas centres have included Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines, and the list can change from year to year.
APMOPS levels and grades
| Level | Grades | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Grade 5-6 | One paper for all candidates. Primary 6 pupils take part everywhere; Primary 5 pupils may enter only through Singapore schools |
There is only one paper per round. Primary 5 pupils sit the same paper as Primary 6 pupils, so it is pitched at the end of primary school.
Rounds
- Round 1. Held in April at schools in Singapore and at overseas centres. In recent editions it is an online competition taken through a web browser.
- Invitation Round. Held at Hwa Chong Institution in Singapore, usually in late May. The top 50 Primary 6 participants from the Singapore competition are invited, along with up to 10 top participants from each overseas centre (with roughly one invitation per 50 participants at that centre).
APMOPS exam format and scoring
The format below is the one published for recent editions. Older papers, including SMOPS papers, may follow a different structure.
Round 1: 30 questions in 2 hours, 150 marks in total.
| Questions | Marks each |
|---|---|
| 1-10 | 4 |
| 11-20 | 5 |
| 21-30 | 6 |
There is no deduction for errors or omissions.
Invitation Round: 14 questions in 2 hours, 100 marks in total.
| Questions | Marks each | Working |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | 4 | Not required |
| 5-8 | 5 | Not required |
| 9-12 | 6 | Not required |
| 13-14 | 20 | All working must be shown |
Calculators, mathematical sets and mathematical tables are not allowed. The syllabus covers arithmetic and algebra, number theory, geometry, combinatorics and counting principles, number patterns and puzzles, word problems and logic problems.
When is it held
Round 1 takes place in April, and the Invitation Round in late May. Round 1 may be held on two different days in the same week, for example one day for Singapore Primary 6 pupils and another for Primary 5 pupils and overseas centres. Schools register their pupils through the official APMOPS portal, and overseas pupils register through their local centre. Check the official APMOPS website for the current year's dates.
How to prepare with past papers
- Expect non-routine problems. APMOPS questions rarely look like textbook exercises. They often need a clever way of counting, a hidden pattern or a well-chosen diagram. After each paper, write down the key idea behind each question you missed.
- Pace yourself across 30 questions. Two hours for 30 questions is about four minutes per question, but the last ten take much longer. Aim to finish the first 20 with time to spare.
- Answer everything. Since Round 1 has no deduction for wrong answers, always submit an answer, even a best estimate.
- Strengthen number theory and counting. Divisibility, remainders, digit problems, systematic listing and the pigeonhole principle appear often at this level.
- Practise written solutions for the Invitation Round. Questions 13-14 are worth 40 of the 100 marks and are marked on the working shown. Practise writing clear, step-by-step solutions.
- Work without a calculator. Train mental and written calculation so that arithmetic does not slow you down.
On Edupiad you can take APMOPS past papers online with a timer, get automatic marking for questions with a fixed answer when you submit, and review each question afterwards. Problems that require full written working cannot be marked automatically. Available years and solutions depend on what has been added to the library.
Frequently asked questions
What grade is APMOPS for?
APMOPS is for Primary 6 pupils, roughly Grade 6. Singapore schools may also enter Primary 5 pupils, who sit the same paper. On Edupiad it is listed as Grade 5-6.
Is APMOPS the same as SMOPS?
Yes. The competition started in 1990 as SMOPS and was renamed APMOPS in 2002 when overseas centres joined. Older papers labelled SMOPS belong to the same competition.
Does APMOPS have negative marking?
No. The organisers state that there is no deduction for errors or omissions in Round 1.
How do you qualify for the APMOPS Invitation Round?
The top 50 Primary 6 participants in Singapore are invited, together with up to 10 top participants from each overseas centre, based on Round 1 results.
Is APMOPS hard?
It is challenging. The first questions are within reach of strong Primary 6 pupils, but most of the paper requires problem-solving strategies beyond the school curriculum, and full marks are rare.