08/04/2025

Estadão highlights the expansion of the Mathematics Olympiad.

In the report “How did Brazil become a record holder in participation in mathematics competitions?” , the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo highlighted this Monday (7) the significant increase in students enrolled in the Kangaroo Mathematics Olympiad and the record number of schools and municipalities that will participate in the 20th edition of OBMEP, which takes place this year.

According to the article, in 2024, the Kangaroo competition registered 1.3 million participating students and a 248% increase in the number of enrolled schools, approximately 7,000. For this year, the estimate is that 1.8 million students will take the test. "It is the country with the largest number of students among the hundreds who take the exam worldwide," says a passage from the article, which also explains that the exam is the same one administered in all participating countries. The test is simply translated into the local language.

OBMEP registered the highest number of participating schools and cities in its two decades of history this year. A total of 57,222 educational institutions from 5,566 municipalities participated – guaranteeing coverage of 99.93% of the country's cities. In total, the competition will bring together 18.6 million students from the 6th grade of elementary school to the 3rd year of high school from public and private institutions.

"The OBMEP, an older competition, already opens opportunities for entry into higher education. The University of São Paulo (USP) and the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), two of the largest in the country, have specific places for medalists from this and other knowledge olympiads. IMPA Tech, a federal bachelor's degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation from the Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA), in Rio de Janeiro, reserves 80% of its places for students who have won medals in scientific olympiads," the report highlighted, citing the possibilities that the Olympiad offers.

OBMEP records are highlighted in 200 other media outlets.

The record numbers achieved by the 20th edition of OBMEP were also the subject of articles published in Agência Brasil, O Povo, Brasil Escola, and other media outlets. In total, approximately 200 pages covered this historic edition.

The Brazilian news agency Agência Brasil highlighted that this year, the scientific competition will bring together 18.6 million students from public and private institutions. The article also emphasized that " OBMEP aims to encourage the study of mathematics and identify talent in the discipline. With each edition, the Olympiad expands its reach and reinforces its impact on valuing education and stimulating logical thinking among young people."

The newspaper also discussed the opportunity to participate in the Junior Scientific Initiation Program (PIC) and the medalists' access to IMPA Tech. "OBMEP has also become a gateway to higher education. IMPA Tech (Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Technology and Innovation at IMPA) in Rio de Janeiro reserves 80% of its places for students who have won medals in scientific olympiads."

The Portal Brasil Escola mentioned that OBMEP is "considered the largest knowledge competition held in Brazil." The website also reinforced the purposes of the Olympiad, such as encouraging the study of mathematics and identifying talent in the discipline. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), as well as Rádio GOV , reported on the milestones achieved by the 20th OBMEP. Other radio stations, including Rádio Globo and Unesp, also publicized the records.