Curriculum · Singapore Math

Competition Program (CP)

Competition math training that builds advanced mathematical thinking. Students are placed by competition math ability, not grade alone, so each child learns at the level that best supports their growth.

$MGA Competition Program (CP) math class in Boston$

Math Kangaroo National #1

Math Kangaroo National Top 20

Massachusetts State Top 3

Noetic Learning Math Contest awards

See all results

Age Group: G1–G6

Class Format

In-person
Once a week · 90 minutes total (including a 5-minute break)
Small group of 1–5 students

Program Overview

CP is a competition math program that builds analytical thinking, logical reasoning, and advanced problem-solving through challenging questions and structured training. It has three levels: Level 1 (Grades 1–2), Level 2 (Grades 3–4), and Level 3 (Grades 5–6). Each level raises the challenge and asks for deeper mathematical thinking.

Beyond the Listed Curriculum

The level descriptions below show the core of each course, not all of it. MGA teachers add supplementary content designed specifically for competitions:

Problem sets written in the style and at the difficulty of each contest
Short units on topics that school math rarely covers, such as 3D views and cube nets, logic with several conditions, strategy games, and symmetry and folding
Timed practice that builds speed and accuracy

Many of these topics are not taught in school, but they appear regularly in competitions such as Math Kangaroo.

What a CP Class Is Like

CP classes are intensive. Problems are hard on purpose, and students are expected to keep working on them rather than wait for the answer. Classes are also lively and fun: students work through puzzles together, debate whether a solution really holds, and share different ways to reach the same answer. Many of our strongest students stay with us across years: of the 16 MGA students in the 2026 Math Kangaroo National Top 20, nine were also in the 2025 National Top 20.

Key Features

90-Minute Focused Lessons

Each class has time to learn a new strategy, practice it with guidance, and apply it to competition problems, with a 5-minute break.

Small-Group Classroom Learning

With 1–5 students, the teacher sees how each student approaches a problem, not only the final answer. Students present their solutions and learn from one another's methods.

Structured and Supplementary Materials

Textbooks and interactive teaching slides give each level a clear sequence. Teachers add problem sets and units that MGA designs for competition topics.

Competition-Level Practice

Students practice with the question styles and difficulty of Math Kangaroo, the Noetic Learning Math Contest, and, at Level 3, AMC 8, so the real contest feels familiar.

Core Mathematical Concepts

$Level 1 (G1-2) classroom at MGA$

Build a Strong Foundation Early

Level 1 is for students in Grades 1–2 who are ready to go beyond routine arithmetic and develop strong math reasoning, logic, and problem-solving skills. With Math Kangaroo and the Noetic Learning Math Contest as key goals, the course builds a solid foundation in competition math through engaging, structured, age-appropriate training.

Highlights

Early Competition Math Foundation

Students build essential skills in logical thinking, visual reasoning, number sense, and word problem solving, creating a strong base for future success in advanced math and competitions.

Math Kangaroo & Noetic Preparation

The course is aligned with the problem styles found in Math Kangaroo (Grades 1–2) and Noetic Learning Math Contest (Grade 2), helping students gain confidence through targeted competition practice.

Strong Basics + Meaningful Enrichment

While reinforcing core school math skills, Level 1 introduces selected advanced competition concepts, including topics not taught in school, so students grow beyond grade-level limits in a structured, supportive environment.

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Our Teaching Approach

Competition problems rarely look like textbook exercises. Students learn seven problem-solving methods and practice eight thinking skills, shown below, so when a question is unfamiliar they can analyze it, choose an effective method, and check their answer. The goal is strong mathematical reasoning and the confidence to use it under time pressure.

$MGA problem solving toolkit with seven original methods$

$MGA thinking habits diagram with eight reasoning habits$

Classroom Highlights

$Competition Program (CP) classroom highlight$

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