Mathematics (sometimes referred to as General Math, to distinguish it from other mathematics-related events) is one of several academic events sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League. It is also a competition held by the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association, using the same rules as the UIL.

Mathematics is designed to test students' understanding of advanced mathematics. The UIL contest began in 1943, and is among the oldest of all UIL academic contests.

Eligibility

Students in Grade 6 through Grade 12 are eligible to enter this event. For competition purposes, separate divisions are held for Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12, with separate subjects covered on each test as follows:

• The test for Grades 6-8 covers numeration systems, arithmetic operations involving whole numbers, integers, fractions, decimals, exponents, order of operations, probability, statistics, number theory, simple interest, measurements and conversions, plus possibly geometry and algebra problems (as appropriate for the grade level).
• The test for Grades 9-12 covers algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry, math analysis, analytic geometry, pre-calculus, and elementary calculus.

For Grades 6-8 each school may send up to three students per division. In order for a school to participate in team competition in a division, the school must send three students in that division.

For Grades 9-12 each school may send up to four students; however, in districts with more than eight schools the district executive committee can limit participation to three students per school. In order for a school to participate in team competition, the school must send at least three students.

Rules and Scoring

At the junior high level, the test consists of 50 questions and is limited to only 30 minutes. At the high school level, the test consists of 60 questions and is limited to only 40 minutes. Both tests are multiple choice.

There is no intermediate time signal given; at the end of the allotted time the students must immediately stop writing (they are not allowed to finish incomplete answers started before the stop signal). If contestants are in the process of writing down an answer, they may finish; they may not do additional work on a test question.^[1]

The questions can be answered in any order; a skipped question is not scored.

Calculators are permitted provided they are (or were) commercially available models, run quietly, and do not require auxiliary power. One calculator plus one spare is permitted.

Five points are awarded for each correct answer at the junior high level while six points are awarded at the high school level. Two points are deducted for each wrong answer. Skipped or unanswered questions are not scored.

Determining the Winner

List of prior winners

References

External links

• Official UIL Rules for Mathematics--High School
• Official UIL Rules for Mathematics--Junior High