The Euclid Mathematics Contest, administered by the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC) at the University of Waterloo, is the most widely recognized high school math competition in Canada. Taken annually by over 20,000 students in grade 12 (and ambitious students in earlier grades), a strong Euclid score is a meaningful credential for university applications, particularly for math, computer science, and engineering programs.
What Is the Euclid Contest and How Is It Structured?
The Euclid is a 2.5-hour contest consisting of 10 problems, each divided into two or three parts (a, b, and sometimes c). The problems are arranged roughly in order of difficulty, with early questions accessible to strong math students and later questions challenging even for the most talented competitors. The contest is scored out of 100, with partial marks awarded for showing correct work.
Unlike multiple-choice competitions such as the AMC, the Euclid requires students to write out full solutions. This means knowing the answer is not enough; you must communicate your reasoning clearly and completely.
What Score Is Considered Good on the Euclid?
Score benchmarks vary by year, but general guidelines based on recent contests:
| Score Range | Approximate Percentile | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 80+ | Top 5% | Exceptional; strong credential for any STEM program |
| 68-79 | Top 25% | Certificate of Distinction; recognized by universities |
| 50-67 | Top 50% | Solid performance; shows above-average math ability |
| Below 50 | Below median | Participation is still valuable experience |
For admission to the University of Waterloo’s Mathematics and Computer Science programs, a strong Euclid score is particularly valuable. Waterloo uses contest results as part of its admissions process, and a score in the top 25% (Certificate of Distinction) strengthens an application significantly.
How Should Students Prepare for the Euclid?
The most effective preparation strategy is practicing with past Euclid contests, which are freely available on the CEMC website. Start with contests from 5 to 10 years ago and work toward more recent papers. For each problem you cannot solve, study the official solution carefully and understand the underlying technique.
Key topic areas to review include:
- Number theory (divisibility, modular arithmetic, Euclidean algorithm)
- Geometry (circle theorems, coordinate geometry, trigonometric identities)
- Algebra (inequalities, polynomial roots, functional equations)
- Combinatorics (counting, probability, pigeonhole principle)
- Sequences and series
Plan to begin focused preparation at least 2 to 3 months before the April contest date.
Does the Euclid Score Affect University Admission?
At the University of Waterloo, yes, directly. Waterloo’s math and computer science programs use the Euclid as part of their admissions evaluation. A strong score can compensate for a slightly lower average, and a weak score can raise concerns even with strong grades. Other Canadian universities do not formally require the Euclid but view strong results positively, particularly for STEM admissions.
For US university applications, the Euclid carries less name recognition than the AMC/AIME, but a top score is still a meaningful achievement to include on applications to STEM programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can students below grade 12 write the Euclid?
Yes. While the Euclid is designed for grade 12 students, any student enrolled in a Canadian high school can participate. Strong grade 10 and 11 students often write the Euclid for practice, and an impressive score at a younger age is a particularly strong credential.
Is a calculator allowed on the Euclid?
Yes, non-programmable, non-graphing calculators are permitted. However, the problems are designed so that a calculator provides minimal advantage. Success depends on mathematical reasoning, not computation.
How does the Euclid compare to the AMC 12?
The AMC 12 is multiple choice with 25 problems in 75 minutes, emphasizing speed and pattern recognition. The Euclid has 10 problems in 150 minutes, emphasizing depth and written communication. Both are valuable, and students serious about math competitions should consider taking both.
The Euclid contest is an opportunity for strong math students to distinguish themselves. If your child is preparing for the Euclid or other math competitions, reach out to Polaris Tutors. Our contest math specialists have coached students to top Euclid scores and CEMC medals.