2020 was the only year since 1984 in which a national competition was not held, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The "MATHCOUNTS Week" event featuring problems from the 2020 State Competition was held on the Art of Problem Solving website as a replacement. The 2021 National Competition was held online.
The Competition Series is divided into four levels: school, chapter, state, and national. Students progress to each level in the competition based on performance at the previous level. As the levels progress, the problems become more challenging. Each level has many rounds, always including a Sprint Round (30 questions, 40 minutes) and a Target Round (4 pairs of harder problems with calculator use, 6 minutes each pair).
All students are either school-based competitors or non-school competitors ("NSCs"). Most students participate through their schools, starting with a school-level competition. A student whose school is not participating in the Competition Series starts at the chapter level as an NSC, competing individually.
Coaches of each school select up to 12 students from their school to advance to the chapter competition, with 4 of them competing on the official school team. The rest compete individually.
All qualifying students compete individually. Students on an official school team also compete as a team. The Countdown Round is optional and can either be used to determine top individuals or as an unofficial round. The top teams and individuals advance to the state competition. The exact number of qualifiers varies by region.
All qualifying students compete individually. Students on a qualifying school team also compete as a team. The Countdown Round is optional and can either be used to determine top individuals or as an unofficial round. The top 4 individuals qualify for the national competition. The coach of the winning school team is the coach for the state team. Some states have universities within the state that give scholarships to the top individuals of the state.
Qualifying students and coaches receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the national competition. The competition typically lasts 3–4 days on Mother's Day weekend. The coach of the state team is the supervisor for the team. The students compete individually for the title of national champion. They also compete as a team to represent their state.
The 12 highest scoring individuals advance to the Countdown Round. The winner of this round is declared the National Champion.
Scholarships and prizes are awarded to the top individuals and top state teams. In the past, prizes have included trips to Space Camp or to the White House to meet the current President of the United States.
In addition to the Competition Series program, students can also participate in the National Math Club program.
The National Math Club program allows schools and non-school groups to start a math club for free. Upon registering, club leaders earn free online access to dozens of games, explorations, and problem sets.
Clubs that meet at least five times during the program year can achieve Silver Level Status, and clubs that complete a creative and collaborative project can achieve Gold Level Status. Clubs that achieve Silver Level and Gold Level can earn prizes and recognition.
Each year, Mathcounts awards two types of scholarships to multiple alumni who participated in at least one of the Mathcounts programs during middle school. The Mathcounts Alumni Scholarship is awarded to alumni whose experience in Mathcounts was extremely influential, and the Community Coaching Scholarship is awarded to alumni who start Mathcounts programs at underserved schools.
In 2011, Mathcounts started the Reel Math Challenge (later renamed to the Math Video Challenge). The Math Video Challenge program allowed students in teams of 4 to create a video that explained the solution to a problem from the Mathcounts School Handbook in a real-world scenario. The program was discontinued in 2023, but a similar video project opportunity is offered through the National Math Club.
Below is a table documenting each year's winning individual, winning state team and coach, and the location of the national competition.
"MATHCOUNTS COMPETITION SERIES | MATHCOUNTS Foundation". www.mathcounts.org. Retrieved 2025-01-21. https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/mathcounts-competition-series
"Our Sponsors". MATHCOUNTS Foundation. Archived from the original on 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2023-03-23. https://www.mathcounts.org/about/our-sponsors
"MATHCOUNTS: Our Story". https://www.mathcounts.org/about/our-story
"Yale MATHCOUNTS". http://www.yale.edu/opa/newsr/07-04-25-03.all.html
Gormley, Molly (2023-08-01). "MATHCOUNTS Enhances National Math Club Program". EIN Presswire. Retrieved 2023-08-01. https://www.einpresswire.com/article/647417733/mathcounts-enhances-national-math-club-program
"MATHCOUNTS: Our Story". https://www.mathcounts.org/about/our-story
"MATHCOUNTS Week powered by AoPS". artofproblemsolving.com. Retrieved 2020-05-12. https://artofproblemsolving.com/contests/mathcounts
"ANNUAL REPORTS | MATHCOUNTS Foundation". www.mathcounts.org. Retrieved 2023-08-01. https://www.mathcounts.org/about/annual-reports
"Our Sponsors". MATHCOUNTS Foundation. Archived from the original on 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2023-03-23. https://www.mathcounts.org/about/our-sponsors
"Mathcounts Competition Official Rules & Procedures". Mathcounts. Retrieved 2022-04-12. https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/official-rules-procedures
"Mathcounts Competition Official Rules & Procedures". Mathcounts. Retrieved 2022-04-12. https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/official-rules-procedures
"Mathcounts Competition Official Rules & Procedures". Mathcounts. Retrieved 2022-04-12. https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/official-rules-procedures
"Mathcounts Competition Official Rules & Procedures". Mathcounts. Retrieved 2022-04-12. https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/official-rules-procedures
"Peninsula MATHCOUNTS Chapter - Rules for Advancement to the State Competition". Retrieved April 22, 2022. https://www.peninsulamathcounts.org/rules-for-advancement-to-the-state-competition
"Mathcounts Competition Official Rules & Procedures". Mathcounts. Retrieved 2022-04-12. https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/official-rules-procedures
"Middle School Students Solve Indiana MATHCOUNTS Problems, Earn Summer Program Scholarships". March 15, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022. https://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/2022/middle-school-students-solve-indiana-mathcounts-problems-earn-summer-program-scholarships.html
"Mathcounts Competition Official Rules & Procedures". Mathcounts. Retrieved 2022-04-12. https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/official-rules-procedures
"Daniel Mai is the 2019 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Champion" (PDF). Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://www.mathcounts.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/2019%20Summer%20Newsletter_%28Final%29_2.pdf
"Daniel Mai is the 2019 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Champion" (PDF). Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://www.mathcounts.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/2019%20Summer%20Newsletter_%28Final%29_2.pdf
"Daniel Mai is the 2019 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Champion" (PDF). Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://www.mathcounts.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/2019%20Summer%20Newsletter_%28Final%29_2.pdf
"President George W. Bush meets award recipients of the 2005 Mathcounts National Competition". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved February 8, 2008 – via National Archives. https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/05/images/20050512_p44871-068jpg-515h.html
"Mathcounts National Math Club". Mathcounts. Retrieved April 14, 2022. https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/national-math-club
"MathCounts Scholarships For Alumni". Mathcounts. Retrieved April 14, 2022. https://www.mathcounts.org/about/mathcounts-scholarships-alumni
Gormley, Molly (2023-08-01). "MATHCOUNTS Enhances National Math Club Program". EIN Presswire. Retrieved 2023-08-01. https://www.einpresswire.com/article/647417733/mathcounts-enhances-national-math-club-program
"Mike Edwards, 13, an eighth grader from the Kinkaid..." UPI. May 19, 1984. Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/05/19/Mike-Edwards-13-an-eighth-grader-from-the-Kinkaid/1454453787200/
"Mathcounts Winners" (PDF). Virginia Society of Professional Engineers. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080216072255/http://www.vspe.org/images/MATHCOUNTS%20WINNERS.pdf
"Mathcounts Winners" (PDF). Virginia Society of Professional Engineers. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080216072255/http://www.vspe.org/images/MATHCOUNTS%20WINNERS.pdf
"Mathcounts Winners" (PDF). Virginia Society of Professional Engineers. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080216072255/http://www.vspe.org/images/MATHCOUNTS%20WINNERS.pdf
"Tennessee 13-Year-Old Wins National Math Contest". AP News. May 15, 1987. Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://apnews.com/article/e8d9f378074926af4bd9b12b6bdabe83
"Mathcounts Winners" (PDF). Virginia Society of Professional Engineers. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080216072255/http://www.vspe.org/images/MATHCOUNTS%20WINNERS.pdf
"Boy, 13, Captures Top Math Honors". LA Times. May 15, 1988. Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-15-mn-4160-story.html
"Mathcounts Winners" (PDF). Virginia Society of Professional Engineers. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080216072255/http://www.vspe.org/images/MATHCOUNTS%20WINNERS.pdf
"Pennsylvania youth wins math contest". UPI. May 12, 1989. Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/05/12/Pennsylvania-youth-wins-math-contest/2076007488189/
"Mathcounts Winners" (PDF). Virginia Society of Professional Engineers. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080216072255/http://www.vspe.org/images/MATHCOUNTS%20WINNERS.pdf
"Arkansas eighth grader wins math contest". UPI. May 18, 1990. Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/05/18/Arkansas-eighth-grader-wins-math-contest/4648643003200/
"Mathcounts Winners" (PDF). Virginia Society of Professional Engineers. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080216072255/http://www.vspe.org/images/MATHCOUNTS%20WINNERS.pdf
"Massachusetts Youth Wins Math Bee". AP News. May 3, 1991. Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://apnews.com/article/6f02e8f23609dfeef40657a8d6ed15f7
"Mathcounts Winners" (PDF). Virginia Society of Professional Engineers. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080216072255/http://www.vspe.org/images/MATHCOUNTS%20WINNERS.pdf
Gene Spafford. Brainy Teen 'Mathcounts' Champ. Yucks Digest. Vol. 2 No. 32. June 13, 1992.
"Kansas Students Top National Mathematics Competition". AP News. April 30, 1993. Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://apnews.com/article/ee420a36c72bad07b7460c0127f595a1
"Illinois Boy Wins National Math Competition". AP News. May 13, 1994. Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://apnews.com/article/766fdc0c05d8f9f27a044036a39c8ab6
"Louisville Boy Wins National Math Competition". AP News. April 28, 1995. Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://apnews.com/article/d88a25daba5c1cb5032116b963efcbc9
"Mathematically Correct". Mathematically Correct. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080511235507/http://mathematicallycorrect.com/letter.htm
"Mathletes Compete In Washington On May 9". NASA.gov. Retrieved February 7, 2008. https://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/1997/97-090.txt
"Mathletes Compete In Washington On May 15". NASA.gov. Retrieved February 7, 2008. https://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/1998/98-079.txt
"Email, Subject "Math"". NASA. Archived from the original on January 9, 2005. Retrieved February 7, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20050109041047/http://dimacs.rutgers.edu/drei/mailing-archive/96/0790.html
"1999 Diamond Team". William Diamond Middle School. Retrieved February 7, 2008. http://diamond.lexingtonma.org/mathteam/mathcounts99.html
"Kentucky Results: 2000 National Mathcounts Competition, May 12, 2000 – Omni Shoreham Hotel – Washington D.C." Kentucky Engineering Center. Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080515232841/http://www.kyengcenter.org/Mathcounts/2000nationalwinners.htm
"2001 Mathcounts Competition Gives Them A Challenge". Virginia Society of Professional Engineers. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved February 7, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20090106040840/http://www.vspe.org/edu__math_challenge.htm
"New Jersey Mathcounts". New Jersey Mathcounts. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2008. https://archive.today/20120906200231/http://www.mathcounts-nj.org/
"Mathcounts 2003 National Results". Kentucky Engineering Center. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080515111310/http://www.kyengcenter.org/Mathcounts/2003NationalMCResults.htm
"Mathcounts 2004 National Results". Kentucky Engineering Center. Archived from the original on January 7, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20090107023308/http://www.kyengcenter.org/mathcounts/2004NationalMCResults.htm
"2004 National Mathcounts Champion". Kentucky Engineering Center. Archived from the original on August 13, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20070813043115/http://sections.asme.org/hawaii/math2004n.htm
"Louisiana Mathcounts". Louisiana Engineering Society Baton Rouge Chapter. Retrieved February 7, 2008. http://www.les-state.org/brchapter/Mathcounts.htm
"Sugar Land Kids Won 2005 Mathcounts National Champions". Beestar Educations. Retrieved February 7, 2008. http://www.beestar.org/news/news050518.jsp
"2006 National Mathcounts Competition". American Society Of Mechanical Engineers. Archived from the original on August 13, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20070813014928/http://sections.asme.org/hawaii/2006mathnat.htm
"Kevin Chen, Mathcounts National Champion, Wins Best Junior Achiever Relly Award from Live with Regis and Kelly". Business Wire. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081202195927/http://eon.businesswire.com/releases/mathcounts/relly/prweb555883.htm
"Texas Eighth Grader and Texas Team Awarded Mathematics Champions at Lockheed Martin Mathcounts National Competition – 2007". PR Newswire. Retrieved February 7, 2008. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-11-2007/0004586749&EACCESSDATE=
"Mathcounts 2007–2008 important dates". Mathcounts. Archived from the original on March 15, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080315203737/http://www.mathcounts.org/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=185&z=53
"2009 Raytheon Mathcounts National Competition Results". Retrieved June 25, 2011. http://mathcounts.org/Page.aspx?pid=1336
[citation needed] /wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed
"2010 Raytheon Mathcounts National Competition". Retrieved June 25, 2011. http://mathcounts.org/Document.Doc?id=520
"2011NorCalTopTeams.pdf". https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxzYW50YWNsYXJhdmFsbGV5bWF0aGNvdW50c3xneDozMzkyNzQyYjgwZjFiN2Y1
"2011 Raytheon Mathcounts National Competition". Retrieved June 25, 2011. http://www.mediafire.com/?csd4zv7b0rwlv22
"Meet the Mathcounts Champion Chad Qian". May 12, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2022. https://www.rmnkids.com/meet-the-mathcounts-champion-chad-qian/
"Massachusetts 8th-grader, Alec Sun, crowned National Champion at 2013 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS® National Competition". PR Newswire. May 10, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2022. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/massachusetts-8th-grader-alec-sun-crowned-national-champion-at-2013-raytheon-mathcounts-national-competition-207003891.html
"Swapnil Garg Crowned National Champion at 2014 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition" (PDF). Retrieved April 14, 2022. https://www.mathcounts.org/sites/default/files/u49/Summer%20Newsletter-Final%20version.pdf
"Kevin Liu Wins National Champion Title at 2015 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition" (PDF). Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://www.mathcounts.org/sites/default/files/u49/Summer%20Newsletter-final.pdf
"Edward Wan Crowned National Champion at 2016 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition" (PDF). Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://www.mathcounts.org/sites/default/files/u49/Summer%20Newsletter%20with%20Links-FINAL-small.pdf
"Luke Robitaille Named National Champion at 2017 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition" (PDF). Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://www.mathcounts.org/sites/default/files/u49/2017SummerNewsletter-Final2_0.pdf
"Luke Robitaille Becomes First Repeat National Champion at 2018 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition" (PDF). Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://www.mathcounts.org/sites/default/files/u49/2018FINAL%20Summer%20Newsletter.pdf
"Daniel Mai is the 2019 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Champion" (PDF). Retrieved April 13, 2022. https://www.mathcounts.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/2019%20Summer%20Newsletter_%28Final%29_2.pdf
"MATHCOUNTS Week powered by AoPS". artofproblemsolving.com. Retrieved 2020-05-12. https://artofproblemsolving.com/contests/mathcounts
"2021 Raytheon Technologies MATHCOUNTS National Competition". Retrieved December 31, 2021. https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/2021-national-competition-winners
"Bergen county native Marvin Mao named 2021 Raytheon Technologies MATHCOUNTS® national champion". Raytheon. May 11, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2022. https://www.raytheonintelligenceandspace.com/news/2021/05/11/bergen-county-native-marvin-mao
"2022 Raytheon Technologies MATHCOUNTS National Competition Highlights". Retrieved May 15, 2022. https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/2022-raytheon-technologies-mathcounts-national-competition-highlights
"2023 Raytheon Technologies MATHCOUNTS National Competition Highlights". Retrieved May 15, 2023. https://www.beestar.org/news/news20230516.jsp
"2024 RTX MATHCOUNTS National Competition Highlights". Retrieved May 13, 2024. https://www.einpresswire.com/article/711180404/osprey-native-benjamin-jiang-named-2024-rtx-mathcounts-national-champion