Preparing for the British Mathematical Olympiad

A Structured Approach to BMO Preparation

1. Master the Fundamentals Ensure you have a solid grasp of GCSE and A-Level Maths. Olympiad problems build on these basics, so any gaps here will be a major hindrance. Focus on algebra, geometry, and number properties.
2. Learn Olympiad Techniques Study the core topics of Olympiad maths: number theory, combinatorics, advanced algebra, and Euclidean geometry. Use introductory books or resources from the UK Mathematics Trust to learn standard theorems and methods, such as the pigeonhole principle or modular arithmetic.
3. Solve Simpler Problems Begin with problems from the Intermediate Mathematical Olympiad (IMOK) or the first few questions of past BMO1 papers. The goal is to build confidence and learn to write clear, complete solutions. Focus on quality over quantity.
4. Tackle Full Papers Attempt full BMO1 papers under timed conditions. This builds stamina and helps you learn to manage time across several difficult problems. Do not be discouraged if you can only solve one or two questions at first; this is normal.
5. Analyse and Write Up After attempting a problem, always read the official solutions. Understand the different approaches and identify the key idea. Re-write your own solutions clearly and rigorously, as communication is a scored component of the exam.

Using Past Papers Effectively

Past papers are your most important resource. Do not just read the problems and then the solutions. Spend significant time, even hours, on a single problem before looking up the answer. This struggle is where the real learning happens. When you review solutions, focus on the underlying idea that made the problem tractable. Keep a journal of these key insights and techniques to build your problem-solving toolkit.