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Maths / AIMO
Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad Guide
The Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad is suited to strong students who are ready to move from multiple-choice competition questions into written olympiad-style solutions.
What is this exam?
Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad
The Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad is suited to strong students who are ready to move from multiple-choice competition questions into written olympiad-style solutions.
Use AIMO as a readiness test for written olympiad thinking. It is not just harder AMC; students need stamina, proof structure and clear written reasoning.
Official date
Thursday 10 September 2026
Entry close
Friday 4 September 2026
Answer sheets
Student answer sheets close Friday 11 September 2026.
Eligibility level
One paper for Years 7-10; pitched at Year 10 level.
Delivery
Teachers print from a digital copy; student solutions are submitted digitally to AMT.
Key date timeline
4 Sep
Entries close
Final official school registration deadline.
10 Sep
AIMO exam
Four-hour written olympiad-style sitting.
11 Sep
Solutions due
Late solutions may affect high-performance selection eligibility.
After marking
Results and awards
High performers may connect into AMT olympiad pathways.
Content map
What students should be ready to use
Algebra and proof
ExpansionFactorisationInequalitiesMethods of proof
Number theory
Diophantine equationsCongruencesNumber basesInteger reasoning
Geometry
ParallelsSimilarityPythagorasCircles and tangents
Combinatorics
Counting techniquesSequences and seriesProbabilityCases
Format and focus
Official scoring structure
Questions 1-4
Entry proof and computation zone
2 marks each
Question 5
Transition question
3 marks
Question 6
Harder reasoning
4 marks
Questions 7-10
Olympiad depth zone
5 marks each
Investigation
Extra extension opportunity
4 bonus marks
AceAchievers preparation pathway
Recommended Study Plan
Build a solid foundation
Make sure the core school skills behind this competition are stable before moving into harder questions.
Learn by topic and question type
Practise the topic patterns and question types that appear most often in this competition.
Mock exam and targeted practice
Use timed mocks to find weak areas, then practise those exact topics deliberately.
Questions parents ask
FAQ
Is this suitable for my child?
Ready for AIMO: The student can spend 20-30 minutes on one problem, write a logical solution and explain why the method works. Too early for AIMO: The student may be strong at multiple-choice AMC questions but cannot yet write coherent proof-style reasoning. Bridge needed: Use AMC Q26-Q30, AIMO past papers and structured proof writing before committing to a full AIMO push.
Is AIMO suitable for Year 7 students?
It can be, but only for highly motivated students already doing substantial extension work. AMT describes the paper as pitched at Year 10 level.
How is AIMO different from AMC?
AIMO has a four-hour format, fewer but deeper questions, and includes written solutions that may require proof.
What should parents look for before enrolling?
Look for persistence, written reasoning, strong AMC performance and comfort with non-routine problems.