IMO Squad Training Camps

At all times there is a squad of students who, by virtue of their performance in national mathematics competitions, are viewed as strong contenders for places in the UK team at forthcoming International Mathematical Olympiads and other international events.

Since 2001–2, the annual cycle has started with a week-long camp for potential squad members in September (originally at the University of Bath; at The Queen’s College, Oxford from 2009) and has also included a visit to Budapest over the New Year to train with the Hungarian IMO squad.

The traditional Easter training and selection camp is held at Trinity College, Cambridge. The BMOC is most grateful to Trinity College, Cambridge for its generous hosting of the event. Based on performances in BMO 1 and BMO 2, along with any other relevant information, 20 students are invited to the Trinity camp. The group includes all candidates for the current year’s IMO team along with some younger students being blooded for the future. There are 4 or 5 sessions per day covering material which is useful for IMO problems. Part way through and at the end of the 5-day camp, students sit two IMO-style 4½-hour papers, after which a final small UK IMO squad is selected for intensive training. This group normally contains 8 or 9 students, with the team of 6 being finalised towards the end of May after a training and selection camp held at Oundle School. A final camp for the IMO team is held immediately before the IMO; when possible, that final camp is a joint camp with the Australian team and the Mathematics Ashes competition is held at that camp.