Primary Mathematics Challenge

Thanks to all the schools who entered pupils into the November 2012 Challenge, and well done to all the children.



Parents and pupils - try the PMC paper Live on line
or buy the PMC book!

February 2013 PMC Finals results available from 9th March

Have you tried Primary Maths Problems live online?

NEWS FEED

Over 70 000 pupils in 1875 schools took part in the PMC this year and a large number achieved excellent results. An amazing 268 pupils scored 25/25. Don't tell us that the teaching of primary mathematics is not improving! As the results of the November paper were so good over 1600 pupils were invited to sit the Bonus Round in February. 522 of these were awarded medals. You can see the list of medal winners by clicking HERE.

Here are some of the pupils' comments from the feedback sheets:

There were no questions where I thought 'I can't really do this.. but some of them took me a long time to figure out.'
Question 24 was a brain scratcher but I managed to get it!
Fun and challenging
I liked the humour in the problems and the names of the people
Mind boggling
The sequence question was a real stinker
Fun questions.. lots of different types
I loved the algebra and the one about Arky Meedes
I always like maths but it doesn't always make me think. This did.
My brain hurts.. but in a good way.

And from the teachers:

We have just taken part in your PMC for the first time and are now true fans. The pupils have benefitted from this initiative and gained confidence. It has inspired them to improve their mathematics. Many thanks.
Our first time having a pupil for the bonus round. It really created a buzz in the school and increased the profile of maths and problem solving.
The problems are accessible and focus on reasoning, which we are trying to develop in our children.
Good range of questions. Quite a step up from the first round.
An excellent balance.
More of the same next year please.
This provided an excellent assessment of our pupils' ability to raise their game.
Really tested the children's ability to think mathematically.
A good mix of questions.. Some of the most difficult became topics of conversation for Y6 after the papers were completed.

Contacting MA office

PMC policy is that any contact regarding PMC is made through the schools. We are happy to respond to queries from teachers regarding the Challenge. Increasingly we are receiving queries from parents about their children's performance in PMC. We refer these back to the schools and would ask that you make clear to parents that any queries should be channeled through the school.

On-line registration and results

Many schools were able successfully to register on-line and return their results on-line. However, we have experienced some difficulties within the system and we apologize to those of you who did not manage to register on-line.

What is the PMC?

The PMC is a test with multiple-choice problems which interest pupils and are mathematical. It is aimed at the top 60% of pupils in Years 5 and 6 England and Wales, P6 and P7 in Scotland, and Years 6 and 7 in Northern Ireland.

What do your pupils get?

• the chance to take part in a national challenge
• 10 easy questions to start with
• all pupils should achieve a reasonable score
• certificates presented by the school
• high-scoring pupils will be invited to take the PMC Bonus Round in February 2014

What do the teachers get?

Each pack of 10 PMC papers also contains:

• 1 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze certificates
• 1 photocopiable Took the Challenge certificate
• mark scheme

Also provided are full instructions, solutions and follow-up ideas for the classroom, feedback sheet, and an opportunity to raise the profile of maths in your school.

Cost per pack: £9.00 + VAT (schools can reclaim the VAT costs).
We strongly recommend that you take up the option of tracking your orders through the postal system to ensure you are not disappointed by parcels arriving late.

Overseas Orders

To ensure orders reach schools abroad on time, it has been decided that they must be sent airmail. Please select one of the rates to add to your order to cover the airmail postage. (You can order more than 11 packs; the airmail cost will be emailed to you.)

For International Signed for option add £4.95 to the postage cost.

12 Packs or more, please contact the PMC Office pmc@m-a.org.uk for prices.

Pupils love their PMC medals

You can order PMC medals for your pupils who got high marks in the November PMC. This attractive medallion, cast especially for the PMC is provided with a yellow MA ribbon, looks good when presented in assembly! The medallion has no date, so can be kept for future years; the back has space for engraving if wanted.

Cost:
order 1 - 5 medals ......................... £3.50 each
order 6 - 10 medals ....................... £3.25 each
order 11 and over medals ............ £3.00 each
Handling charge for all orders ..... £1.50

Please phone the MA office for further details or print out the order form.

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