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Q: What is NMOS (National Mathematical Olympiad of Singapore)? A: NMOS (National Mathematical Olympiad of Singapore, also written NMO∑) is an annual maths olympiad for Primary 5 students, run by NUS High School with the Singapore Mathematical Society. Registration is through schools only - no individual entry. Calculators are not allowed. Check nushigh.edu.sg/nmos for current dates and rules.
TL;DR NUS High’s official NMOS pages state that the competition is open to Primary 5 students only and that registration is via schools (no individual registration). The rules page also states that calculators are not allowed, and publishes year-specific details such as registration windows, fees, and paper format. As of 2026-01-26, the public rules page is still showing NMO∑ 2025 details-check the official pages again when NMOS 2026 information is published.
Registration & Access: School-nominated - your child’s school must register them. Ask your HOD Mathematics if your school participates. See our access guide for workarounds.
1 | What NMOS is (official description)
NUS High’s introduction page describes the National Mathematical Olympiad of Singapore (NMO∑) as an NUS High School initiative working in partnership with the Singapore Mathematical Society. It also lists aims such as generating interest in Mathematics, cultivating enthusiasm, and providing an avenue to challenge and stretch students’ mathematical potential.
2 | Eligibility & registration (what is published)
From NUS High’s NMOS rules/FAQ pages:
Eligibility: The rules page states the competition is open to Primary 5 school students only.
Registration: The rules page and FAQ state participants must register via their respective primary schools and that no individual registration is allowed.
Dates and fees: The rules page publishes year-specific details (e.g., the NMO∑ 2025 page lists a registration window and a per-participant fee). Treat these as year-specific until NMOS 2026 details are published.
Important: Registration is school-registered ONLY - individual registration is not accepted. Contact your school's mathematics department or HOD Mathematics to confirm participation and the internal nomination deadline.
No comprehensive free archive exists for NMOS - practice with similar-level competitions (SASMO Gold/Platinum difficulty) is a common workaround
Frequently Asked Questions about NMOS 2026
What is NMOS (National Mathematical Olympiad of Singapore)?
NMOS (National Mathematical Olympiad of Singapore, stylised as NMO∑) is an annual maths olympiad for Primary 5 students, run by NUS High School of Mathematics and Science in partnership with the Singapore Mathematical Society. It aims to generate interest in mathematics and stretch students' mathematical potential.
What does NMOS stand for?
NMOS stands for National Mathematical Olympiad of Singapore (also stylised as NMO∑).
When is NMOS 2026?
NMOS 2026 dates are published annually on NUS High's official NMOS page. Check nushigh.edu.sg/nmos or your school's NMOS circular for the confirmed 2026 registration window and competition date.
Who can participate in NMOS?
NMOS is open to Primary 5 students only. Registration is through your primary school - individual or private registration is not available.
How do I register for NMOS 2026?
Registration is through your school. Your teacher-in-charge submits entries to NUS High. A per-participant fee applies; confirm the current amount and registration deadline on the NUS High NMOS rules page.
Does NMOS allow calculators?
No. Calculators are not allowed in NMOS.
What is the NMOS format?
NMOS uses a written paper format. The question count and duration are published on the rules page for the current year - check there before planning your preparation.
Where can I find NMOS past papers?
NUS High publishes official past-year question books and Special Round solutions:
All participants receive a certificate showing their achievement level
A certificate is awarded to the top-performing girl from each participating school (subject to award-level condition)
Team trophies go to the top-performing schools (based on their top scorers)
Results are released to schools; confirm the results timeline on the FAQ page
What topics does NMOS test?
NMOS tests creative and olympiad-style mathematics at the Primary 5 level including: number sense, arithmetic, patterns and sequences, geometry (angles, area, perimeter), counting and combinatorics, and logical reasoning. Questions are designed to stretch beyond the standard P5 syllabus and require mathematical creativity.
What is the NMOS gold cutoff?
Since 2024, NMOS has used percentile-based awards. Approximately the top 5% of participants receive Gold, the next 10% Silver, and the next 15% Bronze - but these thresholds are approximate and may vary each year. NUS High does not publish fixed score cutoffs; awards are determined after all papers are marked. Check the NMOS awards page for the current year's award structure.
What are the NMOS medal cutoffs?
NMOS medal cutoffs are not fixed scores - they are set by percentile each year after marking is complete. Historically, Gold is approximately the top 5%, Silver the next 10%, and Bronze the next 15% of participants. These figures are approximate; always confirm with the official NMOS awards page.
Is NMOS good for DSA preparation?
A strong NMOS result (especially Special Round invitation or medal) is a recognised achievement that can be included in a DSA-Secondary portfolio. Confirm with your target school's DSA criteria, as schools weigh evidence differently.
How do I prepare for NMOS if my school does not offer training?
NMOS registration is school-based - your school must submit your entry - but if your school participates, self-preparation is fully viable. Start by contacting your HOD Mathematics to confirm registration and obtain the competition circular. For practice, use SASMO Gold/Platinum level problems as a baseline (NMOS is roughly that difficulty), work through Avocado Lab NMOS walkthroughs, and purchase official NUS High past-year books from the NMOS book sales page. If your school does not participate at all, see our guide for students whose schools don't offer competition training for alternative paths.
Can my child prepare for NMOS without tuition?
Yes. NUS High publishes official past-year papers and Special Round solutions, and many school-based maths Olympiad programmes provide free training at the primary level. Consistent practice with these resources - combined with self-directed problem solving - is a realistic path to a strong NMOS result. For a curated list of free and low-cost materials, see our competition prep resources guide and the maths Olympiad books and resources roundup. We also discuss the tuition question in detail in Do You Need Tuition for Math Olympiad?.
5.1 | Pathway Progression: NMOS to SMO and Beyond
NMOS targets Primary 5 students and is one of the key entry points into Singapore's competitive maths ecosystem. Students who perform well at NMOS - especially those invited to the Special Round - often go on to compete in the Singapore Mathematical Olympiad (SMO) at the secondary level. The problem-solving techniques built through NMOS preparation - number sense, pattern recognition, and combinatorial thinking - form the foundation for SMO Junior problems that require more formal mathematical reasoning. For students also sitting APMOPS or RMO, these competitions complement each other and collectively build the problem-solving stamina needed for secondary-level olympiad work. See our Maths Olympiad Pathway guide, the Primary School Competitions hub, and the 2026 Competition Calendar for the full picture.
Past Papers & Practice Resources
NUS High School publishes official NMOS resources that are the best starting point for preparation:
Past-year question books: Available for purchase via the NMOS book sales page - these contain official questions and solutions.
