The University of Waterloo runs Canada’s most widely sat mathematics competition programme — a series of contests that begins in Grade 7 and runs through Grade 12, with each level preparing students for the next. For parents who have heard about the University of Waterloo math contests but aren’t sure exactly what’s involved, which contest applies to their child, or whether their child is ready, this guide covers the full picture clearly and practically.
What are the University of Waterloo math contests?
The University of Waterloo math contests are a series of competitions organised by the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC) at the University of Waterloo in Ontario. The CEMC is the largest mathematics and computing outreach organisation of its kind in Canada, with over sixty years of history. Its contests reach more than 300,000 students in over 85 countries each year.
The contests are designed for students from Grade 7 through Grade 12. They are designed by teams of expert mathematicians and educators and are a great fit for students across a range of abilities — from learners who want to explore math and develop their confidence to advanced students who want to stretch their limits.
What makes the University of Waterloo math contests distinct from a school exam is the type of thinking they test. Rather than measuring whether students have memorised curriculum content, they test mathematical reasoning — the ability to approach unfamiliar problems, spot patterns, and work through multi-step solutions without a prescribed procedure to follow.
Every University of Waterloo math contest, explained
Gauss Contest — Grades 7 and 8
The Gauss is the entry point to the University of Waterloo math contest series. It is the most widely sat of all CEMC contests, with separate versions for Grade 7 and Grade 8. Both consist of 25 multiple choice questions completed in 60 minutes, scored out of 150. For a complete guide to the Gauss including topics, scoring, and preparation, see our Gauss Math Contest guide.
The Gauss is where most Canadian students begin their competition mathematics journey. It introduces the style of problem-solving the whole series builds on, and performance on the Gauss is a useful early indicator of whether a student has the mathematical instincts to progress through the series effectively.
Registration for the 2026/27 Gauss opens September 2026. The contest takes place in May 2027.
Pascal Contest — Grade 9
The Pascal is the natural step after the Gauss for students entering Grade 9. It follows the same format — 25 multiple choice questions, 60 minutes, scored out of 150 — but covers more advanced topics and requires stronger algebraic reasoning. The Pascal Contest may be written by any participant in Grade 9 or below. For full preparation detail, see our Pascal Math Contest guide.
Students who prepared seriously for the Gauss and performed well are well positioned for the Pascal with continued preparation. The jump in difficulty between Gauss and Pascal is noticeable but not overwhelming for a student who has been working consistently on competition mathematics.
Cayley Contest — Grade 10
The Cayley follows the same format as the Pascal and is designed for Grade 10 students. It introduces more advanced algebra, coordinate geometry, and harder geometry problems. The Cayley Contest may be written by any participant in Grade 10 or below. For full preparation detail, see our Cayley Math Contest guide.
Fermat Contest — Grade 11
The Fermat is the final multiple choice contest in the series, designed for Grade 11 students. The Fermat Contest may be written by any participant in Grade 11 or below. It covers the broadest range of topics of the three intermediate contests and is the last preparation step before the Euclid. For full preparation detail, see our Fermat Math Contest guide.
The Pascal, Cayley, and Fermat contests all take place in February each year. The 2026/27 contests are scheduled for February 2027, with registration opening September 2026.
Euclid Contest — Grade 12
The Euclid is the flagship contest in the series and the most significant for university admissions. Unlike every other contest in the University of Waterloo math contest series, the Euclid requires full written solutions — students must show their working and reasoning, not just select an answer. It runs for 150 minutes and consists of 10 questions with multiple parts. For a complete preparation guide, see our Euclid Math Contest guide.
The Euclid contest result is used by the University of Waterloo in admissions and scholarship decisions for mathematics, computer science, and engineering programmes — some of the most competitive in Canada. The 2026/27 Euclid takes place in April 2027.
The full contest ladder at a glance
| Contest | Grade | Format | When (2026/27) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gauss | 7–8 | 25 multiple choice, 60 min | May 2027 |
| Pascal | 9 | 25 multiple choice, 60 min | February 2027 |
| Cayley | 10 | 25 multiple choice, 60 min | February 2027 |
| Fermat | 11 | 25 multiple choice, 60 min | February 2027 |
| Euclid | 12 | 10 full-solution questions, 150 min | April 2027 |
Why the Waterloo contests matter for Canadian students specifically
For students targeting Canadian universities — particularly the University of Waterloo — the CEMC contest series carries more direct admissions weight than any other mathematics competition. The Euclid contest result is used by the University of Waterloo as part of its admissions and scholarship process for mathematics, computer science, and engineering programmes. A strong Euclid score can directly influence scholarship offers and admissions decisions for some of the most competitive programmes in Canada.
The University of Toronto also considers contest performance as part of its assessment for competitive programmes.
This is meaningfully different from school grades, which cannot easily differentiate between students who are all performing at a high level. A strong Euclid result provides exactly the kind of external, objective benchmark that selective university programmes find useful.
The pathway matters as much as the destination. A student who begins at Gauss level in Grade 7 and builds consistently through Pascal, Cayley, and Fermat arrives at the Euclid in Grade 12 with five years of competition problem-solving behind them. That foundation is visible in their performance — and it cannot be replicated by students who begin preparation in Grade 11 or 12.
How to register for a University of Waterloo math contest
It is not possible for students to individually register for a contest — all students must participate through their school. Registration is handled by the school’s math teacher or department head through the CEMC Contest Supervisor Portal.
The practical steps for parents:
In September, ask your child’s math teacher whether the school is registered with the CEMC and whether it plans to offer the relevant contest this year. This is the single most important action — the most common reason students miss a Waterloo math contest is a missed registration deadline.
If the school doesn’t participate, two options exist: ask the teacher to register (some will do so for a single motivated student), or find an independent registered centre. If your own school is not participating, students can look for another local school that will allow them to join as a participant.
Registration for 2026/27 opens September 2026 for all contests. Do not wait until October or November — deadlines close earlier than most families expect.
What preparation looks like for Waterloo contests
Preparation for the Waterloo math contests is different from studying for a school test. The skills that determine performance — number theory, combinatorics, non-routine algebra and geometry — are not taught in standard school curricula. They are built through deliberate, focused practice on competition-style problems over months, not weeks.
The most effective preparation approach:
Start with past papers. The CEMC publishes free past papers and full solutions for every contest at cemc.uwaterloo.ca. Working through past papers systematically — not just completing them, but reviewing every question including those answered correctly — is the most valuable single preparation activity.
Identify topic gaps. Past paper review reveals which topic areas are producing lost marks. Number theory and combinatorics are the most common gaps for students who have done well in school without specific competition preparation.
Begin in September, not in April. Students who begin preparation in the autumn have six to eight months before the contest. Students who begin in March have six weeks. The difference in outcomes is significant, not marginal. For a broader look at what structured mathematical enrichment looks like alongside contest preparation, see our guide to math enrichment for high-performing students.
How Think Academy Canada supports Waterloo contest preparation
Think Academy Canada works exclusively with motivated, high-performing students across Canada from Grade 1 through Grade 12. Our competition mathematics programmes cover the full Waterloo contest series — Gauss through Euclid — with instruction built specifically around the problem-solving skills each contest level rewards.
Our approach starts with a free diagnostic. Every new student completes a short assessment and receives a personalised feedback report showing exactly where their mathematical reasoning currently stands. For families trying to decide which contest level is appropriate for their child, or whether their child is ready to begin structured preparation, the assessment gives a specific, objective answer — not a guess based on school grades.
Registration for the 2026/27 Waterloo contests opens September 2026. Families who want their child to be genuinely prepared — not just enrolled — should start in September.
FAQ
What are the University of Waterloo math contests?
The University of Waterloo math contests are a series of competitions run by the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC) at the University of Waterloo. The main contests for students in Grades 7–12 are the Gauss (Grades 7–8), Pascal (Grade 9), Cayley (Grade 10), Fermat (Grade 11), and Euclid (Grade 12).
Are the Waterloo math contests only for top students?
No. The CEMC contests are designed for students across a range of abilities — from learners who want to explore math and develop their confidence to advanced students who want to stretch their limits. The earlier questions on each contest are accessible for well-prepared students at the relevant grade level.
How do I register my child for a Waterloo math contest?
Registration is handled through your child’s school. Ask the math teacher or department head in September whether the school is registered with the CEMC. Registration for the 2026/27 contests opens September 2026.
When do the University of Waterloo math contests take place?
For 2026/27: Pascal, Cayley, and Fermat in February 2027; Euclid in April 2027; Gauss in May 2027. Registration opens September 2026 for all contests.
Does the Waterloo math contest affect university admissions?
The Euclid Contest specifically is considered in University of Waterloo admissions and scholarship decisions for mathematics, computer science, and engineering. The University of Toronto also considers contest performance for competitive programmes. The earlier contests (Gauss through Fermat) build the foundation for strong Euclid performance.
What is the difference between the Gauss and the Euclid?
The Gauss is a 25-question multiple choice contest for Grades 7–8, completed in 60 minutes. The Euclid is a 10-question full-solution contest for Grade 12, completed in 150 minutes. The Euclid requires written mathematical arguments, not just correct answers, and carries direct university admissions weight.
Can a Grade 7 student write the Gauss Contest?
Yes. The Gauss has separate versions for Grade 7 and Grade 8. Exceptional participants may elect to write a contest beyond their actual grade level. Motivated younger students may also participate.
What score is needed to get a Certificate of Distinction?
The CEMC does not publish fixed score thresholds — the cutoffs are set each year based on the cohort’s performance. Generally, scores in the top 25% of all participants receive a Certificate of Distinction.
How is the Waterloo contest different from school math?
School math tests whether students have met a curriculum standard. The Waterloo contests test mathematical reasoning — the ability to approach unfamiliar problems without a prescribed procedure. A student who performs well in school will still find the later Waterloo questions challenging without specific competition preparation.
How can Think Academy Canada help with Waterloo contest preparation?
Think Academy Canada offers a free diagnostic assessment for students in Grades 1 to 12. The assessment shows exactly where a student’s mathematical problem-solving ability currently sits, giving families a specific starting point for Waterloo contest preparation. Free practice resources matched to the results are also provided.
About Think Academy Canada Think Academy Canada is a K-12 mathematics tutoring programme, part of TAL Education Group. We work exclusively with motivated, high-performing students across Canada from Grade 1 through Grade 12, with a focus on competition mathematics including the full CEMC contest series and AMC. All lessons are delivered online. Follow us on Instagram at @thinkacademyca.
