How to Prepare for Math Olympiads with Mental Maths

A Math Olympiad is a competition that tests and challenges students’ mathematical abilities, typically at the school or international level.

These contests go beyond regular classroom learning, encouraging participants to solve complex and creative problems using logic, reasoning, and advanced math concepts. 

Competing in a Math Olympiad can be both exciting and overwhelming, as students must think quickly and solve tricky problems under strict time limits.

Mental math plays a key role in preparing for these competitions. The ability to perform calculations mentally without relying on paper or a calculator improves speed, accuracy, and confidence. 

In this blog post, we will explore how parents can support their child’s Math Olympiad preparation using mental math techniques.

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Why is Mental Math Important for Math Olympiads?

Mental math is the skill of performing calculations in your head without writing down each step. It trains the brain to think critically, recognize patterns, and solve problems efficiently.

Here’s how learning mental math strategies can boost your child’s Math Olympiad preparation:

• Speeds Up Calculations: Olympiad exams have time constraints, and mental math allows students to solve problems quickly without wasting time on long calculations.

• Improves Logical Thinking: Olympiad problems require students to break problems into smaller steps. Mental math trains the brain to approach problems from different angles.

• Boosts Confidence: Being able to solve problems without a calculator builds confidence and reduces exam stress.

• Reduces Mistakes: Writing down every step increases the risk of errors. Mental math helps students stay focused and precise.

• Develops Flexibility in Problem Solving: Math Olympiads often have tricky questions that require creative approaches. Mental math helps students manipulate numbers in different ways to find quick solutions.

Read More - Fun Math Activities for Kids to Develop Calculation Speed

How Parents Can Support Their Child’s Math Olympiad Preparation with Mental Math?

Here are some practical ways parents can help their child succeed in Math Olympiads using mental math.

1. Turn Everyday Activities into Fun Math Challenges

You can strengthen your child’s mental math  concepts by adding simple challenges to daily activities:

• At the Grocery Store: Ask them to estimate the total bill, calculate discounts, or compare prices.

• During Car Rides: Have them add or subtract numbers from signs, estimate travel time, or find number patterns.

• Managing Time: Let them figure out how much time is left before an event or how long an activity took.

• Handling Money: Ask them to calculate total costs, expected change, or the final price after a discount.

• In the Kitchen: Have them adjust ingredient amounts, estimate cooking times, or convert measurements.

These small exercises make math fun, improve speed, and build confidence in problem-solving!

2. Make Math Fun with Games and Challenges

Children learn best when they enjoy the process. Parents can introduce fun and engaging math-related activities that strengthen mental math skills without making it feel like studying.

• Board games like Monopoly, Math Bingo, and Number Scrabble help reinforce mathematical concepts.

• Card games like 24 Game or Flashcard Challenges improve quick thinking.

• Logic puzzles and riddles encourage problem-solving and strategic thinking.

• Install Curious Junior apps to give your child an interactive and engaging math learning experience.

Read More - Quick Calculation Techniques for School Students

3. Introduce Mental Math Tricks and Shortcuts

Parents can teach their child some quick calculation techniques to help them solve problems faster during the Olympiad. A few useful tricks include:

• Multiplication by 5: Multiply the number by 10 and then divide by 2. (Example: 46 × 5 = (46 × 10) ÷ 2 = 460 ÷ 2 = 230)

• Multiplication by 9: Multiply by 10 and subtract the original number. (Example: 37 × 9 = (37 × 10) - 37 = 370 - 37 = 333)

• Squaring numbers ending in 5: Multiply the first digit by its next number, then attach 25. (Example: 35² → 3 × 4 = 12 → 1225)

• Quick percentage calculations: Teach your child that 10% of a number is simply moving the decimal point one place to the left. (Example: 10% of 240 = 24)

4. Provide Olympiad Sample Papers and Mock Tests

One of the best ways for children to prepare for Math Olympiads is through solving past papers and taking mock tests. Parents can:

• Download previous years' Olympiad papers and encourage their child to solve them under timed conditions.

• Enroll them in online Olympiad mock tests, which simulate real exam environments.

• Review their mistakes together and discuss different ways to solve problems mentally.

By regularly practicing these tests, children become familiar with question patterns and time management strategies, improving their overall performance.

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5. Support a Strong Foundation in Basic Math Concepts

Mental math is effective only when students have a strong foundation in basic mathematical concepts. Parents should help their child master the fundamentals of:

• Arithmetic (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division)

• Fractions and Decimals

• Algebraic Expressions

• Geometry

• Number Theory

• Probability and Combinatorics

Encourage your child to revisit basic math concepts regularly before moving on to complex problem-solving. A strong foundation makes it easier to apply mental math strategies during the Olympiad.

6. Join a Math Club or Create a Study Group

Collaboration with peers helps children understand different problem-solving approaches and keeps them motivated. Parents can:

• Enroll their child in a school math club where students practice together.

• Arrange study group sessions with classmates who are also preparing for the Olympiad.

• Encourage participation in online Olympiad forums where students can exchange ideas.

Studying with others helps children stay engaged, discuss tricky problems, and learn faster.

Enroll Now for Mental Maths Online Classes

7. Teach Time Management and Exam Strategies

Time management is crucial in Math Olympiads. Parents can help their child practice under timed conditions to improve speed and efficiency.

• Set timers while solving problems to simulate the real exam experience.

• Teach them to skip difficult questions and return to them later instead of getting stuck.

• Encourage the use of mental estimation to quickly eliminate incorrect answer choices in multiple-choice questions.

Developing these strategies will help children stay calm and complete the Olympiad paper within the given time.

8. Maintain a Positive and Stress-Free Learning Environment

A child’s confidence and motivation play a big role in their performance. Parents should:

• Praise effort, not just results: Encourage your child for trying, even if they make mistakes.

• Avoid pressure and comparison: Each child has a different learning pace. Focus on progress rather than competition.

• Set small, achievable goals: Breaking preparation into smaller milestones helps build confidence.

• Ensure proper rest and breaks: Overloading children with too much practice can lead to burnout. A balance between study and relaxation is necessary.

A supportive and stress-free learning environment encourages children to enjoy math rather than fear it.

9. Encourage a Growth Mindset

Parents should instill a growth mindset in their child, teaching them that mistakes are learning opportunities rather than failures. Remind them that:

• Every challenging problem is a chance to improve.

• Hard work and consistent practice lead to success.

• Olympiads are about learning and growth, not just winning medals.

By fostering a positive attitude toward challenges, children become more resilient and motivated to excel.

Boost Your Child’s Mental Math Skills with Curious Junior!

Want to help your child solve math problems faster and with confidence? Curious Junior is an online platform that makes mental math learning fun, engaging, and highly effective. 

Through interactive lessons, hands-on practice, and real-time feedback, students sharpen their calculation skills and build the confidence needed to excel in Math Olympiads and beyond.

With small class sizes and personalized coaching, every student gets individual attention to improve speed, accuracy, and problem-solving techniques. 

The instant feedback system ensures mistakes are corrected immediately, reinforcing the right strategies for long-term success.

Books a demo of online mental maths classes to help your child build confidence with 50+ mental math shortcuts.