What is NMTC?
The National Mathematics Talent Contest (NMTC) is one of India's oldest and most respected math competitions — organised annually since 1968 by the Association of Mathematics Teachers of India (AMTI).
NMTC is known for its non-routine, creativity-driven problems that go beyond textbook methods. It spans from Class 5 all the way to undergraduate level, with separate contests for each stage, making it one of the few Olympiads that grows with a student across their entire school and college journey.
Eligibility Criteria
- Primary: Classes 5–6
- Sub-Junior: Classes 7–8
- Junior: Classes 9–10
- Inter: Classes 11–12
- Senior: Undergraduate degree level
- Students from any school board, junior college, degree college, or technical institution in India can apply
Quick Facts
| Organised by | Association of Mathematics Teachers of India (AMTI) |
| Running since | 1968 |
| Exam mode | Offline, through your institution |
| Exam months | Preliminary: Aug–Sept · Final: Oct–Dec |
| Registration | Only through school/college (institution-based) |
Exam Pattern and Scoring
- Stage 1 (Preliminary): Objective — MCQs + fill-in-the-blanks, 2 hours
- Stage 1 mix: roughly 20% easy, 80% challenging questions
- Stage 2 (Final): Subjective, descriptive answers, 3 hours
- Senior level skips Stage 1 and goes directly to the Final
- Top ~10% of Stage 1 performers qualify for Stage 2
- No official public cutoff score — qualification is by group percentile ranking
- Stage 2 tests deeper understanding and full written solutions
- Results: Stage 1 in early September, Stage 2 in early December (typical timeline)
The Five NMTC Levels
Unlike single-stage Olympiads, NMTC runs parallel contests by level — a student competes only within their own group:
| Primary | Classes 5–6 |
| Sub-Junior | Classes 7–8 |
| Junior | Classes 9–10 |
| Inter | Classes 11–12 |
| Senior | Undergraduate degree level (Final only, no Preliminary) |
What Comes Next
NMTC is a strong standalone credential, and also builds the creative problem-solving base students carry into RMO/INMO, IOQM, and SOF IMO — many families use it as a natural first step in that direction.
NMTC Syllabus by Level
Topics scale with each level, but every stage emphasizes creative and non-routine problem-solving over rote formulas:
Foundational Reasoning
- Number sense, factors & multiples
- Fractions & simple arithmetic
- Basic geometry & patterns
- Logical puzzles & sequences
Building Depth
- Number theory basics
- Simple algebraic expressions
- Geometry (angles, triangles)
- Combinatorics fundamentals
Intermediate Problem Solving
- Algebra & polynomial equations
- Coordinate & circle geometry
- Number theory (divisibility, primes)
- Counting & probability
Advanced Mathematics
- Trigonometry & functions
- Advanced algebra & inequalities
- Sequences, series & probability
- Advanced geometry & proofs
Olympiad-Grade Topics
- Advanced number theory
- Combinatorics & graph theory
- Olympiad-style proof techniques
- Multi-step, non-routine problems
Exam Date & Registration
- Stage 1 (Preliminary) is typically held in August–September
- Stage 2 (Final) follows in October, for qualifiers
- Registration closes around mid-July — plan early
- Registration is only through your school/college — AMTI does not accept individual applications
How to Register
Why Participate? Benefits of NMTC
🏅 A Legacy Competition
Running since 1968, NMTC carries decades of credibility among Indian math educators and institutions.
📈 Genuine Creative Thinking
Non-routine problems build reasoning skills that transfer directly to RMO/INMO, IOQM, and other Olympiads.
🎯 Grows With the Student
Five levels from Class 5 to undergraduate mean students can stay engaged with NMTC for years.
🧠 Two-Stage Depth
The written Final Test rewards genuine understanding — not just quick recognition, unlike pure MCQ exams.
Join Our NMTC Preparation Program
Level-wise NMTC coaching led by Deepesh Aggrawal (Ex-FIITJEE, B.Tech NIT Raipur) and our Olympiad specialist faculty — building the non-routine problem-solving NMTC demands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which level should I register for?
Levels are strictly by current class: Primary (5–6), Sub-Junior (7–8), Junior (9–10), Inter (11–12), Senior (undergraduate).
Can I register individually?
No — NMTC registration is only accepted through your school or college via the official AMTI portal.
What's the difference between Stage 1 and Stage 2?
Stage 1 (Preliminary) is objective — MCQs and fill-in-the-blanks. Stage 2 (Final) is fully subjective, requiring detailed written solutions.
Do Senior-level students take the Preliminary?
No — Senior (undergraduate) candidates go directly to the Final Test.
How can Scholars Foundation help me prepare?
We offer level-wise NMTC batches with topic coverage, mock tests, and WhatsApp doubt support — message us for current batch timings.