How many questions are on the COMC?

The COMC contains 12 questions divided into three sections of increasing difficulty. Section A has 4 questions worth 4 points each, Section B has 4 questions worth 6 points each, and Section C has 4 questions worth 10 points each. The total possible score is 80 points, and all answers require full written solutions rather than multiple choice.

Who is eligible to write the COMC?

Any student enrolled in a Canadian high school or CEGEP is eligible to write the COMC. International students, including those in the United States, may also participate if their school registers through the Canadian Mathematical Society. There is no minimum age requirement, so younger students with strong math skills frequently compete alongside senior high school students.

How do I register for the COMC?

Registration for the COMC is handled through your school. A teacher or school administrator must register as a contest coordinator through the Canadian Mathematical Society website and then enroll individual students. The registration fee is typically around $3 to $5 CAD per student. Schools outside Canada can also register by contacting the CMS directly for international participation details.

What is the format of the COMC?

The COMC is a written examination lasting 2 hours and 30 minutes. Students must provide full solutions with complete mathematical justification for each problem. Partial marks are awarded based on the quality of reasoning shown. Unlike multiple-choice contests, the COMC emphasizes proof-writing and clear mathematical communication, making solution presentation as important as arriving at the correct answer.

How does the COMC differ from other math competitions?

The COMC stands apart from contests like the AMC or Waterloo competitions because it uses exclusively written-solution format rather than multiple choice or short answer. It also serves as the official qualifier for the Canadian Mathematical Olympiad. The difficulty ramps significantly from Section A to Section C, with the final problems approaching olympiad-level challenge and requiring creative proof techniques.

What are the best ways to prepare for the COMC?

The most effective preparation strategy is working through past COMC papers, which are available on the Canadian Mathematical Society website with official solutions. Focus on building proof-writing skills and practicing problems from each section separately. Supplement with resources like Art and Craft of Problem Solving or problems from similar contests such as the AMC 10/12 and AIME for building the problem-solving techniques needed for Sections B and C.

What happens after I write the COMC?

After the COMC, papers are graded by the Canadian Mathematical Society and results are typically released within a few weeks. Top-scoring students are invited to write the Canadian Mathematical Olympiad (CMO), which is the next level of competition. Strong COMC performance can also lead to invitations for math enrichment programs and serves as a recognized achievement on university applications, particularly for STEM programs.

COMC (Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge) Test Guide 2026 July

Pass your COMC (Canadian Open Mathematics exam on the first attempt. Practice questions with detailed answer explanations, hints, and instant scoring. ✍🏼

COMC - Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge By Dr. Yuki TanakaJul 1, 202656 min read

COMC (Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge) Test Guide 2026 July

⏱️2.5hTime Limit

📝12Questions

✅80Max Score

💵$25Approx Fee

The COMC is the primary qualifying competition for the Canadian Mathematical Olympiad (CMO). Top performers may be invited to the CMO and potentially represent Canada internationally.

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COMC EXAM QUESTIONS QUIZ

COMC Exam Study Guide

Use this comprehensive guide to understand every aspect of the COMC examination. From basic rules to advanced scoring, we cover what you need to know.

What is the COMC exam?	The Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge is Canada's premier national mathematics competition open to any student with an interest in and grasp of high school math.
Who can take the COMC test?	The COMC is open to all students, typically those in high school (grades 9-12), but motivated younger students can also participate.
Why take the COMC competition?	Participating in the COMC contest allows you to compete for scholarships, awards, and invitations to the Canadian Mathematical Olympiad.
Is the COMC hard?	The COMC exam is designed to be challenging. It ranges from standard curriculum questions to advanced problem-solving tasks.

What is the COMC exam?

The Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge is Canada's premier national mathematics competition open to any student with an interest in and grasp of high school math.

Who can take the COMC test?

The COMC is open to all students, typically those in high school (grades 9-12), but motivated younger students can also participate.

Why take the COMC competition?

Participating in the COMC contest allows you to compete for scholarships, awards, and invitations to the Canadian Mathematical Olympiad.

Is the COMC hard?

The COMC exam is designed to be challenging. It ranges from standard curriculum questions to advanced problem-solving tasks.

START COMC REVIEWER QUIZ

COMC Score Calculator

Total Scored Questions

150

How many questions did you answer correctly?

0105150

105 out of 150 correct

70%

Required to Pass: ~70% (Estimated)

Your Score: 105 correct✓PASS

COMC Score Interpretation

Understanding your COMC results and awards eligibility.

Score Range	Award Category	Percentile	Recommendation
🥇 70-80 Marks	Gold Award / CMO Invite	Top 1%	Prepare for Olympiad
🥈 60-69 Marks	Silver / Honours	Top 5%	Advanced Math Club
🥉 50-59 Marks	Bronze / Distinction	Top 25%	Review Section C
🏅 30-49 Marks	Performance Cert	Top 50%	Practice Section B
📜 0-29 Marks	Participation	Bottom 50%	Focus on Section A

COMC Registration Process

📝

SEPRegister Sign

up via School

📚

OCTPrepare COMC

past papers

✍️

NOVExam Day Take

the test

🏆

JANResults Scores

released

Contact Math Teacher - Ask if your school hosts the COMC competition.
Register Online - Teachers must register students through the CMS portal.
Pay Fees - Submit the COMC cost to your school administrator.
Study Plan - Use a COMC practice test to gauge your level.
Exam Day - Write the exam at your school under supervision.
Check Results - Teachers will receive COMC results to share.
Next Steps - Top scorers qualify for the CMO or Repêchage.

COMC Test Costs

📚

Free Study Materials Using

our site

📦

Variable Shipping If

paper copies

🏫

Discounts Volume Pricing For

large schools

💻

None Software Paper

-based test

🎓

Scholarships Potential Value

$1000s in awards

Paying the small COMC cost is an investment. High scores are prestigious and recognized by top engineering and math programs across Canada.

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COMC SCORING PRACTICE

Ready to Ace the Comc? guide - Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge certification study resource

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COMC Test Day Checklist

✓Pencils and Erasers
✓Ruler and Compass
✓Student ID
✓NO Calculator (Required)
✓Water Bottle
✓Scrap Paper (Provided)
✓Watch (Silent)
✓Positive Mindset

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✅Pros

+Industry-recognized credential boosts your resume
+Higher earning potential (10-20% salary increase on average)
+Demonstrates commitment to professional development
+Opens doors to advanced career opportunities

❌Cons

−Exam preparation requires significant time investment (4-8 weeks)
−Certification fees can be $100-$400+
−May require continuing education to maintain
−Some employers may not require certification

COMC Questions and Answers

COMC Math: A Comprehensive Guide to Canada's Open Mathematic

COMC Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge Practice Test PDF (

📄Free COMC Practice Test PDF

About the Author

Dr. Yuki TanakaPhD Applied Linguistics, MA TESOL

Applied Linguist & Language Proficiency Exam Specialist

Georgetown University

Dr. Yuki Tanaka holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics and an MA in TESOL from Georgetown University. A former language examiner with the British Council, she has 18 years of experience designing and teaching language proficiency preparation courses for TOEFL, IELTS, CELPIP, Duolingo English Test, JLPT, Cambridge FCE/CAE, and Versant assessments worldwide.

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