Ten years ago, Maya solved AMC 8 problems at her kitchen table with a stack of photocopied past papers and a trusty mechanical pencil. This year, her younger brother Rahul “steps into” a virtual geometry room on his tablet. With a swipe, he rotates a 3D pyramid and checks his reasoning against instant feedback. Their preparation worlds look completely different.
Scenes like Rahul’s are now common. From adaptive online problem banks to AI-powered solution checkers, technology is transforming how students train for mathematics competitions like AMC, MATHCOUNTS, and AIME. Families and coaches are asking: Is technology giving students a fair edge, or changing the nature of these competitions altogether?
This article, part of the “Mathematics Competition Trends” series, explores how technology influences every stage of competition life: training, test-taking, feedback, community, and equity. While it stands alone, it builds on broader themes from pieces like “The State of Mathematics Competitions in 2025”.
Imagine two students preparing for MATHCOUNTS. Elena prints a thick packet of practice problems and grades her solutions at the end. Liam logs into an online platform that tracks his accuracy by topic, surfaces similar problems when he struggles, and suggests tutorials for repeated mistakes. Liam’s practice is personalized by technology.
For competitions like AMC 8 and AMC 10/12, the trend is adaptive practice. Instead of linear book exercises, students answer questions that adjust in difficulty based on performance. If a student misses geometry questions, the system offers more targeted problems and explanations.
Consider Sam, a ninth grader preparing for AMC 10. His dashboard shows he struggles with combinatorics under time pressure. This insight, evident only with technology, leads him and his coach to schedule sprint rounds focused specifically on that topic.
Platforms like ScholarComp allow students to filter practice by competition, topic, and difficulty, making targeted training possible.
Today’s competitors can watch video walkthroughs of past problems, pausing and rewinding as needed. Take Noor, an eighth grader stuck on a number theory problem. A video explanation uses a number line and analogies to clarify modular arithmetic, helping her grasp the concept beyond abstract symbols.
Resources like Khan Academy provide accessible explanations for core concepts, allowing students to transition smoothly between learning and application.
While technology has its benefits, it can lead to over-reliance. Students may watch solutions instead of wrestling with problems long enough to build problem-solving skills. One coach shared that David excelled in practice but froze during a proctored mock AMC 12 without feedback, having unconsciously depended on solution checkers. The most effective preparation uses technology to enhance, not replace, independent reasoning.
In our earlier piece, “Virtual vs In-Person Mathematics Competitions”, we discussed emerging test formats. Here, we examine the technologies behind these changes: test delivery, monitoring, and grading.
Many competitions are transitioning to digital administration. School contests and local leagues now rely on secure testing portals that lock down browsers, control timing, and collect responses instantly.
Picture a regional math league where participants log in and take the contest on tablets. The system synchronizes timing and uploads answers for immediate results. Coaches receive auto-generated score reports, and standings can be posted the same day.
This shift reduces manual grading and improves results speed, but also emphasizes typing speed and comfort with on-screen reading.
The rise of remote contests has raised fairness concerns. To address these, competitions may employ live video proctoring or automated tools that monitor eye movements and background noise.
In a remote challenge, students show their desk setup at the start. The platform records both the screen and webcam feed for later review against flagged behaviors.
While these methods deter cheating, they may also introduce anxiety, as normal behaviors might be misinterpreted by monitoring systems.
Digital platforms allow for auto-grading of questions, reducing human error and increasing efficiency in large-scale events. Technology also enables richer problem types, where students manipulate on-screen figures rather than just solving static problems.
Interactive problem types are emerging in experimental or online-only contests, testing dynamic reasoning that traditional formats cannot.
Technology reshapes how students discover competitions, connect with peers, and build long-term interests in math.
Previously, many students learned about contests only through teachers or parents. Now, a quick online search reveals a wealth of opportunities, with platforms like ScholarComp helping families navigate appropriate competitions.
For example, Ana transitioned from casual enjoyment of puzzles to a three-year plan: MATHCOUNTS in middle school, and then AMC and AIME in high school. Online resources helped her set realistic targets and celebrate milestones.
Technology connects math competitors globally. Online forums and virtual math circles allow students to share problems and strategies.
Consider Emma in a small rural school, who joins a weekly virtual math circle discussing Olympiad problems, thus feeling less isolated.
Technology can expand access but may also amplify inequalities. High-quality online preparation often requires reliable internet, personal devices, and sometimes paid tools. A well-resourced student may access extensive support, while another may struggle with limited connectivity and awareness of opportunities.
Encouragingly, many organizations work to reach underrepresented groups and offer free or low-cost resources, which can help level the playing field.
AI tools have added complexity to math competitions. Apps can solve problems from a photo, while step-by-step solution generators mimic human reasoning.
AI can serve as a patient tutor. A student might use an AI assistant for hints rather than full solutions, helping them preserve the problem-solving experience. Javier, preparing for AIME, uses an AI “hint machine” for targeted nudges to enhance his understanding.
AI raises fairness questions. If a student secretly uses an AI tool in an unsupervised contest, it might inflate their performance. Organizers are clarifying rules and emphasizing in-person components for critical stages.
As technology takes over some tasks, the skills rewarded in competitions may shift. Future contests might value deep understanding and clear communication more than memorized techniques.
For example, students might solve a problem online, then explain their reasoning in written form, leveraging technology for assessment while maintaining the human touch of proof.
The central challenge is not whether to use technology, but how. The goal is to harness its benefits while preserving the core values of competitions: independent problem-solving.
One strategy is to treat technology as a partner. Use a three-step routine: attempt each question fully; when stuck, seek a hint; and finally review full solutions to internalize learning.
Parents can curate digital environments, fostering a balanced routine of timed practice, concept exploration, and engagement in math circles or clubs.
Educators can democratize access by sharing free resources and organizing virtual sessions for students who cannot meet in person. Model ethical technology use and discuss integrity in math competitions.
As preparation evolves from printed packets to adaptive platforms, the landscape of mathematics competitions is changing. Technology is expanding access and connecting communities in remarkable ways.
Yet the essence of these competitions remains unchanged: a student, a problem, and that moment of understanding. The challenge for all—students, parents, educators, and organizers—is ensuring that technology amplifies that moment rather than diminishes it.
When applied wisely, digital tools can help students engage deeply with math competitions like AMC, MATHCOUNTS, and Math Kangaroo. As you consider your next steps, balance tradition and innovation in your preparation strategies. For more resources and inspiration, visit ScholarComp, your gateway to exciting mathematical challenges.
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