JIMCOBSA uses the IMAS as part of the selection process for IMC. We participate in all three levels of IMAS even though there are only two levels for IMC.

  • Grades 4+5: Middle Primary
  • Grades 6+7: Upper Primary
  • Grades 8+9+10: Junior Secondary

We mainly participate in the Middle Primary section to give learners in grades 4 and 5 experience before they have to write the IMAS in grades 6 and 7 to compete for places in the IMC team. However, in rare cases where grade 4 or 5 learners perform extremely well, they are also considered for the IMC teams. This is possible since we don't rely on only the IMAS to select our teams, but also on other selection tests and criteria. Therefore, if a grade 4 or 5 learner can do well enough compared to the grades 6 and 7 learners in the other selection tests and criteria, then they can also earn a spot on one of the teams. We have had grade 5 representation in the IMC teams.

Since the papers are on an international level and not based on schoolwork, talented South African learners (and parents and teachers) need to realize that performing well on these tests has a different meaning than performing well in school tests. Whereas scores of above 90% might be expected in school tests/exams, a score of above 50% in IMAS is seen not as a pass, but as rather excellent. There is no such thing as "a pass score" in a contest like this. Sometimes even just earning some points is already a good achievement. Therefore learners should not view a low score as "bad", but view it as just one measurement along a roadmap of milestones/progress throughout their years of participation in IMAS.

In summary, talented learners should not be discouraged by low scores, but use it as feedback on improvement, training and practice still needed. The aim of training talented learners is precisely to get their mathematical skills on a more advanced level so as to compete more successfully at an international level.

Last modified: Monday, 24 October 2022, 8:41 PM