NCSSMMath Club |
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Individual Tests We will offer four different individual tests: Algebra, Geometry, Discrete Math, and General. Students will take either two of the three subjects (Algebra, Geometry, or Discrete Math) tests, or just the General test. The Algebra and Geometry tests will cover topics similar, but not limited, to those on the Algebra I and II and Geometry subject tests given by the State Math Contest. The Discrete Math test will cover basic concepts in number theory and combinatorics. Finally, the General test will involve a mix of all three subjects. One hour will be given for the 25 problems on each subject test; the General test will be split into two halves, each 25 problems, with an hour allotted for each. Scoring for each set of 25 will be as follows: #1-5: 2 points each #6-10: 3 points #11-15: 4 points #16-20: 5 points #21-25: 6 points The total possible score for a subject test is 100, and the total possible score for the general test is 200. The top 4 students on each individual test will receive prizes; ties will be broken by standard tiebreaking procedures, detailed below.Power Test On the Power Test, a team will work to solve a series of connected problems relating to an interesting mathematical concept. The team will be required to show its work in the form of proofs. Full mathematical rigor will not be expected, but to receive the full score, a reasonable explanation detailing each step is needed. Incomplete or faulty progress may merit partial credit. Students may justify later problems with results from earlier problems on the test, whether they proved the earlier result or not. The Power Test will be graded out of 80 points. Prizes may be awarded for particularly well-written or ingenious solutions.Team Test On the Team Test, a team will work together for 30 minutes to solve 10 short-answer problems. Teams will receive 6 points for each correct answer and 0 for each blank or incorrect answer. The Team Test will be more difficult than individual tests.Individual Finals The top 4 individual scores on each individual test (Algebra, Geometry, Discrete Math, and General) qualify for the individual finals, a difficult 1-hour, 10-problem comprehensive short-answer test. If a student qualifies twice, another lower-ranking student will not be moved up to qualify as well. Each problem on the finals is weighted equally. Individual finals will only be used to determine individual rankings and will have no bearing on sweepstakes scores. Ties in the finals will be broken by standard tiebreaking procedures, detailed below. The top 10 individuals will receive prizes.Mach Round Those who do not qualify for individual finals will take part in the Mach Round, a fun 100-question, 1-hour team test. A designated runner on each team will obtain the problems, designed to test problem-solving speed, in sets of 10. Problems will generally increase in difficulty and thus be worth more as teams progress; the top 3 teams on the Mach Round will have 50, 25, and 10 points added to their sweepstakes scores, respectively, as well as receive prizes.Team Sweepstakes The top 5 teams will receive awards based on their performance in the individual, Power, Team, and Mach rounds. The rounds will be weighted appropriately to promote a balance between team and individual scores.General Rules
Tie-Breaking Procedures To break ties among the top 4, the following procedure will be used:
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