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MATHCOUNTS FAQ
MATHCOUNTS FAQ
What rounds do the chapter and state competitions consist of?
The chapter competitions and state competition will consist of the Sprint Round, Target Round, Team Round, and an unofficial Countdown Round - some chapters may select not to hold the unofficial Countdown Round.

Where can the official MATHCOUNTS coach access the school competition problems for the current MATHCOUNTS year?
You can access a PDF of the school competition problems on www.mathcounts.org by visiting Account > Coach Dashboard > Announcements.

What calculators are permitted in the MATHCOUNTS competition series?
Calculators are not permitted in the Sprint and Countdown Rounds, but they are permitted in the Target and Team Rounds. When calculators are permitted:
  • Students may use any calculator (including programmable and graphing calculators) that does not contain a QWERTY (typewriter like) keypad.
  • Calculators that have the ability to enter letters of the alphabet but do not have a keypad in a standard typewriter arrangement are acceptable.
  • Wireless adapters or any other devices that enable calculators to connect to Wi-Fi are not acceptable. Calculators that have built-in Wi-Fi connectivity (rather than an external adapter) are not acceptable.
  • Smart phones, laptops, tablets, iPods®, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and any other “smart” devices are not considered to be calculators and may not be used during competitions.
  • Students may not use calculators to exchange information with another person or device during the competition.
 
Can elementary students or high school students participate in the competition series?
MATHCOUNTS is a middle school program; students must be in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in order to participate. Some chapter coordinators may allow interested elementary students to unofficially compete at their chapter competition; please contact your coordinator if you would like to request this.

I registered my school for the MATHCOUNTS competition. Where can I access the online school handbook?
You can access the PDF of the school handbook on www.mathcounts.org by visiting Account > Coach Dashboard > Competition Coach Resources.


Please refer to the MATHCOUNTS Competition Series page on the National website for more general program information and official rules and procedures.

What time does the test start at my chapter competition and what is the duration of the test?
Please contact your chapter coordinator for any questions on your specific chapter competition’s schedule. Visit our Chapter Information page to find contact information for your coordinator.

Is the Countdown Round unofficial in Texas?
Yes, the Countdown Round in Texas is unofficial at both the chapter and state level.

I am the official coach and I cannot make it to the chapter competition. What do I do?
You will need to fill out the Coach Substitution Form provided to you by your chapter coordinator. The Coach Substitution Form will require signatures from both coaches and must be returned back to your chapter coordinator.

My chapter competition schedule includes parts that read "spectators allowed." Does this include both coaches and parents?
Please reach out to your chapter coordinator for details regarding your chapter's competition schedule. Typically both coaches and parents are welcome to watch the Countdown Round and Awards Ceremony.

Are there required permission slips for transportation and medical info that is needed for students attending the chapter competition?
These forms are generally provided by the school or the ISD to teachers. MATHCOUNTS has required forms for students attending the State Competition that are unrelated to school absences.

My student cannot attend their chapter competition due to scheduling conflicts. What are our options?
Please contact info@tspe.org with a written request if you are unable to attend your designated chapter competition.


Please visit the MATHCOUNTS Chapter Information page to locate your local chapter coordinator and chapter competition date and location. Specific questions related to the chapter competition event and schedule should be directed to your chapter coordinator. All other questions can be directed to info@tspe.org.

 

May I substitute a team member?
Yes, you may substitute a member of your team by submitting the Team Member Substitution form that is included in the Coach Going-to-State packet link to info@tspe.org. The form must be signed by both the student forfeiting their spot on the team and the student acting as the substitute.

Must a substitute team member need to have competed at the chapter competition?
No, a substitute team member does not have to have competed at the chapter competition, but must be a full-time student at your school.

May I substitute an individual?
No, MATHCOUNTS rules do not allow for substitutions of individual competitors.

May I substitute a coach?
Yes, you may substitute a coach by submitting the Coach Substitution Form included in the Coach Going-to-State packet link to info@tspe.org. Substitute coaches can be a teacher or a parent.

Is a student required to stay in the room assigned to them by TSPE/TEF in the official room block?
No, a student may opt out of staying in the TSPE/TEF assigned room by noting it on the Rooming Acknowledgement/Release of Liability Form included in the Parent Going-to-State packet link. This form is mandatory for ALL official competitors attending the Texas State Competition. If the form is not completed and the student does not stay in the room assigned, they may be disqualified from the competition.

How many students are assigned to each room and does this include NSCs?
The official room block assigns up to four students to a room based on age, gender, and region - this includes NSC competitors. A student will never placed in a room by themselves.
 
I am an official coach, and my child is an official competitor/NSC competitor; can we share a room?
Yes, if rooms are available. We must make sure all students and coaches have rooms before making a commitment. The request should be noted on Option 1 under Coach Rooming Options at the bottom of the Registration & Hotel Rooming Form that is to be submitted to your chapter coordinator before leaving your chapter competition. There will be a charge of 1/4 the cost of the room for this request.

I requested a private room. How do I pay? Who do I pay? When do I pay?
You may pay using credit card, cash, or check. All payments are made to the Texas Engineering Foundation. Payment is due at the state competition registration on Friday, 3 – 6 PM. You will not be allowed to complete registration until the payment is received. You will be provided a link to pay online prior to the competition if you prefer to pay in advance.
 
If I’ve requested a private room, who can stay with me?
Most private room assignments are for king rooms. If you plan to have additional guests in the room, please notify the TSPE/TEF office in writing to info@tspe.org and request a double room and it will be provided if any are available. Students and parental coaches sharing rooms have first priority for double rooms. Additional guests staying in your room do not need to be official participants in the competition, but room occupancy should not exceed the hotel limit (varies by room size).

I didn’t request a private room on the Official Coach Hotel Rooming & Acknowledgement Form; may I request one now?
You may request a private room by submitting a written request to info@tspe.org. Any request received will be subject to availability.

I would like to add additional nights to my private rooming request. Is this possible and what would the cost be?
If you would like to extend your stay at the hotel, please submit a written request to info@tspe.org. You would be charged the full price of the room in addition to the discounted cost of your first night, as additional nights are not covered by TSPE/TEF.

Can I request for my student to be assigned a private room for just themselves?
No, we do not allow one child to stay alone in a room due to liability issues. If you are wanting your student to room alone, you would have to make separate rooming arrangements outside of the official rooming block and indicate so on the Rooming Acknowledgement/Release of Liability Form.

My district requires an invoice for my private room. Who should I submit my invoice request to?
Please submit a request for an invoice to info@tspe.org.

My district requires an additional adult chaperone. Do I have to notify TSPE/TEF?
Yes, please send a notification to info@tspe.org noting the district’s requirement for a chaperone. Any special accommodation required will be discussed after initial notification.

Who is responsible for hotel accommodations and payment?
TSPE/TEF pays for the rooms assigned to both the official coaches and official student competitors. If a coach requests a private room, they are responsible for a payment equal to half the room cost.

Who is responsible for travel arrangements?
Schools within 400 miles (door-to-door) of the event hotel should arrange their own ground transportation. If a school is 400+ miles from the event hotel, TEF/TSPE will offer to book and pay for flights for one official coach and all official competitors.

I have a student who has special rooming needs; who should I contact to request a rooming accommodation?
Please submit the requested accommodation in writing to the TSPE/TEF office to info@tspe.org.

If my competitors and I are unable to arrive during Friday registration, how do we obtain our hotel keys and other required information when we arrive?
Please notify the TSPE/TEF office prior to the event if you know you will be unable to arrive by 6 PM on Friday the day before the competition. After 6 PM your room keys, along with the official coach and competitor wristbands, will be placed at the hotel front desk for you to pick up upon your arrival. The wristbands must be worn on Saturday to access the breakfast and lunch buffets and to be admitted into the testing room. You are required to check-in at early registration on Saturday morning to obtain official name badges and other information pertaining to the testing. Early registration will begin at 7:30 AM.

Do all students need to be present with the coach to check in at registration?
No; the only person required to be at registration is the official coach or designated substitute coach.

I have a student with special testing needs. Who should I contact about special accommodations?
Special accommodations required during testing are subject to approval by the MATHCOUNTS national office. Please submit your request in writing to info@tspe.org to initiate the approval process.

We will travel in a district bus to the competition; do we need to notify TSPE/TEF?
Yes, please contact the TSPE/TEF office if you will be arriving to the competition in a bus. We will need to notify the hotel so they may arrange a designated area for bus parking.

May we reserve a room for our bus driver through TSPE/TEF?
If your school requires this, this will depend on room availability - please contact the TSPE/TEF office at info@tspe.org to request a room for your driver. If available, a room will be reserved in the hotel rooming block. Rooms may not be available after the hotel cut-off date.

Will I be provided travel reimbursement for my school's transportation to and from the competition?
Travel by car/van/bus by schools in excess of 40 miles will be reimbursed by check during competition registration. Mileage is calculated in accordance with the state mileage guidelines and is made payable to the attending coach for each school. Only one mileage reimbursement check will be issued per school.

My student will be participating in the State Competition as an individual. Will they be competing in the Team Round alone?
Individual students will be placed into teams with other students. These tests will not be graded, however the students get the opportunity to experience the team test and working together to solve problems.


Please visit the Texas MATHCOUNTS page for more information on the State Competition. Any additional questions regarding the State Competition can be directed to info@tspe.org.

 

Still have unanswered questions?

For general program questions, visit the National MATHCOUNTS Competition Rules & FAQ page.

For questions specific to the Texas program series, reach out to the TSPE/TEF state office at (512) 472-9286 or to info@tspe.org.