HKIMO Past Papers with Answers - Practise Online

The Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad (HKIMO) is an annual mathematics competition for students from kindergarten to Grade 12, run by the Olympiad Champion Education Centre (OCEC) in Hong Kong. Every grade sits its own paper of short-answer questions in five topic areas. Students first take a Heat Round in their own country or region, and medal winners are invited to the Final Round in Hong Kong or online.

With a fixed structure, clear topic areas and one paper per grade, HKIMO past papers are a straightforward way for students to measure their level and track progress from year to year.

Overview

According to the official HKIMO website, the papers were developed by Wong Tin Chun, a former team leader of the Hong Kong Mathematical Olympiad team. HKIMO belongs to the OCEC family of competitions, together with the Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad (TIMO), Big Bay Bei (BBB) and the Hong Kong International Science Olympiad (HKISO). Students register through an HKIMO partner in their country or region, who also runs the Heat Round.

The official site notes that every answer sheet is marked by two senior examiners and one chief examiner. Results for both the Heat and the Final are published on the official site from 2018 onwards. Gold medalists of the HKIMO Final Round are also invited to the World International Mathematical Olympiad (WIMO), which brings together Final gold winners from HKIMO, TIMO and Big Bay Bei.

Levels and grades

The official structure has one kindergarten group, one paper for each grade from Primary 1 to Secondary 3, and a Senior Secondary group for Secondary 4 and above.

Rounds

In most countries, students take the Heat Round and those who win gold, silver or bronze are invited to the Final Round. A few countries add their own stages. In Vietnam, students usually sit an online qualifying round first, then a national final, before the international Final Round.

Exam format and scoring

Each paper covers five areas: Logical Thinking, Arithmetic (kindergarten and primary) or Algebra (secondary), Number Theory, Geometry and Combinatorics. Questions are short answer: students write the final answer only.

Papers are offered in English and in the student's regional language. The published structure does not mention any deduction for wrong answers. Partner pages describe fixed Heat Round award bands: 80 and above for gold, 60 to under 80 for silver, 40 to under 60 for bronze, and 20 to under 40 for a merit certificate. Extra national stages, such as Vietnam's qualifying round, may use their own format, so read your partner's rules.

When is it held

HKIMO follows an academic-year cycle. Heat Round dates are set by each partner and differ between countries, while the Final Round has typically been held around August in recent seasons. Registration is done through the HKIMO partner in your country or region, often via schools or learning centres. Exact dates are announced each season.

How to prepare with past papers

• Start with your own grade. Because each grade has its own paper, the difficulty is matched to what students learn at that age. Begin there before moving up.
• Track scores by area. Five questions per area in the Heat Round make it easy to see where marks are lost, for example combinatorics or geometry.
• Watch the clock. The Heat Round gives about three and a half minutes per question; the Final gives four minutes, but the problems are harder. Practise full papers in one sitting.
• Double-check answers. There are no options to compare against, so a small calculation slip costs the whole question. Leave time to re-check.
• Answer every question. The published structure has no penalty for wrong answers, so a reasoned estimate is better than a blank.
• Use TIMO and Big Bay Bei papers as extra practice. They come from the same organizer and use the same five areas.

On Edupiad you can take HKIMO past papers online with a timer, get automatic marking and review each question afterwards. Available years and grades grow over time, and not every question has a written solution yet.

Frequently asked questions

What grade is HKIMO for?

HKIMO is open from kindergarten to Grade 12. There is a kindergarten group, one paper per grade from Grade 1 to Grade 9, and one Senior Secondary paper for Grades 10 to 12.

Is HKIMO multiple choice?

No. The official Heat and Final Rounds use short-answer questions where students write the final answer. Some national qualifying rounds may use a different format.

Does HKIMO deduct points for wrong answers?

The official structure lists only points for correct answers: 4 per question in the Heat Round and 5 in the Final. It does not mention a penalty.

Where is the HKIMO Final held?

The Final Round is held in Hong Kong, with an online option for students who cannot travel.

What is the difference between HKIMO and TIMO?

They are sister competitions from the same OCEC family, with the same five topic areas and a similar structure. HKIMO's Final is held in Hong Kong, while TIMO's Final is held in Thailand.

Sources

• HKIMO official website
• HKIMO exam structure
• WIMO, on the HKIMO website
• Olympiad Champion Education Centre (OCEC)
• HKIMO Heat Round, Indonesian partner page
• HKIMO, Canadian partner page