Hardest Math Problem Contest

Contest window: Sep 14 – Dec 6, 2026 (5:00 pm ET). This calendar date is the submission deadline.

The Hardest Math Problem Contest (HMP) is an annual competition presented by The Actuarial Foundation, the Institute of Competition Sciences, and the New York Life Foundation that challenges students in grades 5-8 to solve multistep, grade-appropriate math problems with real-world situations. This contest is unique in that it is not a time-based math competition (students work on the Contest problems at their own pace) and engages students in critical thinking and problem solving AND requires them to employ effective communication skills in writing up their reasoning in how they arrive at their solution. The 2026-27 HMP theme is centered on the theme of keystone species and ways to mitigate risks that face keystone species and their habitats. These cross-curricular problems provide opportunities for collaboration between math, science, and ELA classrooms and the real-world connections provide unique context for the variety of ways that math is used across a variety of careers (STEM or others!).

This competition is FREE and open to all 5th-8th grade students attending school in the US (public, private, charter, and homeschool). Students can win up to $3,000 towards college and a laptop! An adult needs to serve as a coach for point of contact (teacher, parent, or other invested adult; no mathematical expertise is needed). While students complete the current Contest problem(s) individually on their own time, collaborative practice with the many free resources and past problems (answer keys and worked-out solutions included!) is encouraged. The name of the Contest is the “Hardest Math Problem”, but what we actually encourage is that students “TRY THEIR Hardest…” as they build grit and resilience in tackling grade-level appropriate problems in the real world.

Learn more about the Hardest Math Problem Contest: https://www.hardestmathproblem.org/