Local student mathematicians are preparing for a day of intense calculation as the West Seattle Math Competition arrives at the Admiral HUB on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The event, which will be held in the old Admiral Church building at 4320 SW Hill St, is scheduled to run from 12 pm to 5 pm.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COMPETITION HERE

The competition is open to participants for a $5 entry fee, which helps fund the event's operations. Organizers have designed a rigorous four-round format that tests a wide range of mathematical disciplines, including algebra, geometry, probability, and number theory.

A Test of Skill and Speed

The competition begins with the Individual Round, where students must tackle 15 questions in 45 minutes. Following this, the focus shifts to collaboration with the Team Round and the uniquely structured Rush Round. During the Rush Round, teams answer 14 questions over seven stages, with time limits increasing by one minute each round, culminating in an eighth round featuring a "surprise".

A key rule across all segments of the competition is that calculators are not allowed, forcing students to rely entirely on their mental math and handwritten work.

The Final Showdown

The day concludes with the high-stakes Bell Round. In this one-on-one "buzzer-style" finale, the top five contestants from the Individual Round race to be the first to ring a bell and provide the correct answer. This final head-to-head determines the ultimate individual rankings for the competition.

For those interested in reviewing the challenges, the competition's questions and answers will be posted online the day after the event concludes. Community members with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the organizers at westseattlemathcompetition@gmail.com.