The 2026 HiMCM/MidMCM will take place from November 4 to November 17, 2026, Eastern Time.
HiMCM is an international mathematical modeling competition launched in 1999 by the Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications, also known as COMAP. The contest is open to high school students from around the world.
HiMCM has received support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
Each year, nearly 1,000 high school teams from more than 20 countries and regions participate in the challenge. Globally, more than 40,000 students have taken part in the competition.
HiMCM Outstanding Award Coach: Global Team Matching + Professional Training
Work with experienced HiMCM coaches with a strong track record, including Outstanding Award guidance experience.
Click to view:
HiMCM past winning papers, reference books, mathematical modeling textbooks, and model collections.
2026 HiMCM Team Matching and Training Now Open
We support cross-school team formation and help match international high school students from China and overseas.
Our Outstanding Award coaches have extensive experience and proven results.
Scan the QR code to inquire or receive a free HiMCM preparation package.
The package includes:
HiMCM past winning papers, HiMCM reference books and mathematical modeling textbooks, practical HiMCM tools, and a complete collection of mathematical models.
2026 HiMCM Competition Timeline
| Item | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Registration Deadline | Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern Time |
| Contest Window Opens | Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 3:01 PM Eastern Time |
| Contest Window Closes | Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 8:00 PM Eastern Time |
| Solution Paper Deadline | Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 9:00 PM Eastern Time |
| Solutions Received | Tuesday, November 17, 2026, Eastern Time |
| Results Announcement | On or before February 28, 2027 |
HiMCM Competition Process
Step 1: Form a Team
Each team consists of 1 to 4 high school students and one school teacher who serves as the team advisor.
Step 2: Find a Team Advisor
The advisor should have relevant knowledge and experience in mathematical modeling so that they can help students make appropriate decisions when difficulties arise.
The advisor is also responsible for supervising the entire competition process and ensuring that the team follows all contest rules.
Step 3: Prepare for the Paper
Before the official contest begins, teams should make thorough preparations, including but not limited to data collection, model selection, algorithm learning, and paper-writing practice.
During the contest, teams will choose one of the problems provided by the committee, usually labeled as Problem A and Problem B, and complete a written solution paper.
The final submission must be a PDF file written in English, with a maximum length of 25 pages.
Step 4: Submit the Paper
After completing the paper, the team must submit the electronic version according to the official requirements.
Before submission, teams should carefully check the format and ensure that all technical specifications and contest rules are followed.
HiMCM Awards
| Award Level | Approximate Percentage |
|---|---|
| Outstanding | No more than 1% of all participating teams |
| Finalist | No more than 7% of all participating teams |
| Meritorious | About 12%–13% of all participating teams |
| Honorable Mention | About 31%–33% of all participating teams |
| Successful Participant | About 46% of all participating teams |
HiMCM Award Rates and Team Numbers by Year
| Year | Outstanding | Finalist | Meritorious | Honorable Mention | Successful Participant | Total Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 teams, 1% | 49 teams, 4% | 143 teams, 13% | 309 teams, 29% | 570 teams, 52% | 1,091 |
| 2024 | 8 teams, 1% | 56 teams, 5% | 135 teams, 13% | 291 teams, 28% | 551 teams, 52% | 1,055 |
| 2023 | 9 teams, 1% | 54 teams, 6% | 139 teams, 14% | 256 teams, 26% | 501 teams, 52% | 967 |
| 2022 | 9 teams, 1% | 54 teams, 6% | 132 teams, 15% | 207 teams, 24% | 431 teams, 50% | 854 |
| 2021 | 8 teams, 1% | 46 teams, 7% | 99 teams, 14% | 208 teams, 30% | 342 teams, 48% | 705 |
HiMCM Past Problems and Winning Papers
Sample Past Problems
| Competition Year | Resource |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Past Problem |
| 2022 | Past Problem |
| 2021 | Past Problem |
| 2020 | Past Problem |
| 2019 | Past Problem |
| 2018 | Past Problem |
| 2017 | Past Problem |
| 2016 | Past Problem |
| 2015 | Past Problem |
| 2014 | Past Problem |
| 2013 | Past Problem |
| 2012 | Past Problem |
| 2011 | Past Problem |
| 2010 | Past Problem |
Winning Papers
HiMCM past problems and award-winning paper PDFs are now available.
Scan the QR code to download them for free.
Why Should Students Participate in HiMCM?
1. Highly Recognized International Competition
The High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling, known as HiMCM, is an international mathematics activity organized by COMAP.
It is one of the most influential mathematical modeling competitions for high school students worldwide and is often regarded as a valuable academic activity for international high school students.
2. Lower Entry Barrier and Better Award Opportunities
Compared with traditional mathematics competitions, HiMCM does not require participants to have an extremely advanced mathematical background.
Instead, it focuses more on real-world problem-solving ability, teamwork, modeling thinking, and communication skills.
High school students with a foundation in mathematics and programming can all take part in the competition.
HiMCM is not a problem-solving contest in the traditional sense. Teams are evaluated mainly based on the quality of their written paper.
Since the contest is team-based, students who find strong teammates and receive systematic guidance can significantly improve their chances of achieving strong results.
3. A Strong Asset for University Applications
HiMCM awards can strengthen applications to top universities and competitive STEM-related programs.
Outstanding, Finalist, and Meritorious awards are all valuable achievements.
The Outstanding Award is especially competitive because of its extremely low award rate and strong reputation. It can provide meaningful support for applications to top universities and scholarship opportunities.
The Finalist Award can also provide strong evidence of academic ability when applying to well-known universities and related majors.
The Meritorious Award demonstrates a team’s strong potential, research ability, and problem-solving skills.
4. Comprehensive Academic Skill Development
HiMCM requires students to have not only a solid mathematical foundation, but also programming skills, modeling techniques, research ability, and academic writing skills.
These abilities are highly useful for future academic research, STEM study, and career development in industry.
8+ Years of Competition Coaching and Team-Matching Experience
Led by experienced full-time mentors, our HiMCM coaching program provides students with structured preparation, reliable guidance, and professional support throughout the competition season.
Scan the QR code for team matching or a trial class.
