← All contests

Mathematics Olympiads · Canadian entry 2026–27

Big Bay Bei Mathematical Olympiad

Tackle challenging mathematics in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area Olympiad. Its shorter heat and final reward careful reasoning and good time management.

Grades 2–12Online on Zoom

Grades 2–12 · Online on Zoom

Dates and registration

Register for the heat to enter. Gold, Silver and Bronze heat award winners are invited to the optional final, which requires separate registration.

Open entry

Canadian Heat Round

Grades offered
2–12
Contest date
Sat, Feb 13, 2027
12 pm ET / 10 am PT
Format
Online on Zoom
Registration closes
Jan 23, 2027

Convert to your time zone

Questions
25
Time allowed
75 minutes
Total score
125 points

By invitation

BBB Global Final

Grades offered
2–12
Contest date
Fri, Mar 12, 2027
6:30 pm ET / 4:30 pm PT
Format
Online on Zoom
Registration closes
Feb 19, 2027

Convert to your time zone

Questions
30
Time allowed
90 minutes
Total score
150 points

Heat and final awards are separate. Your heat award is retained whether or not you enter the final. Canadian finals take place on Friday evening, corresponding to Saturday in Hong Kong.

About BBB

Challenging mathematics, with a shorter time limit

Big Bay Bei is the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area Mathematical Olympiad. It challenges students to apply mathematical ideas to unfamiliar questions. The Canadian heat is the first step; qualifying students may then enter a separately registered final.

What students work on

Syllabus and question areas

Prepare for mathematical reasoning across the areas below, using the syllabus for your entry grade. BBB follows a mainland mathematical-Olympiad style.

  • Logical thinking

    Use clues, patterns and deductions to work through an unfamiliar situation. Explain why a conclusion follows rather than relying on a guess.

  • Arithmetic / Algebra

    Work with numbers and operations at primary level, and algebraic relationships at secondary level. Look for structure that makes a calculation simpler.

  • Number theory

    Explore properties of whole numbers, divisibility, factors and multiples. Test a pattern and use it to narrow the possibilities.

  • Geometry

    Reason about shapes, lengths, angles and area. A carefully labelled sketch can reveal relationships that a calculation alone misses.

  • Combinatorics

    Count possibilities systematically. Organise cases, avoid counting something twice and check that every valid case is included.

These descriptions explain the skills involved; they are not the complete grade-specific syllabus. Ask CKSTEM for the syllabus and sample questions for your entry category.

Recognition and results

Scoring, awards and certificates

BBB recognises Gold, Silver and Bronze achievement. Its award system differs from the score thresholds used by TIMO and HKIMO. The organiser determines the final awards after marking and ranking; your result notification will confirm your award.

What recognition is available?

The mathematics prize structure gives Gold, Silver and Bronze recipients a certificate and medal. Merit awards receive certificates. Participation certificates are listed for the heat. The highest three scorers in each grade by global ranking are recognised as Champion, First Runner-up and Second Runner-up, with trophies; perfect scorers have additional recognition.

For tied scores, the younger participant ranks higher. The organiser makes the final award decision. Families can collect awards free of charge on the announced pickup date, attend the CKSTEM award ceremony, or request shipping. See award collection and shipping details.

See previous CKSTEM contest winners →

Is the final the same as WIMO?

No. The BBB final is this contest’s own final. World International Mathematical Olympiad (WIMO) is a separate invitation pathway. Qualification is through Gold or above in at least two qualifying finals in the same year; BBB counts once. WIMO is separate from the Canadian heat and final described on this page.

CKSTEM achievements

Previous BBB results

Explore past heat and final results, award recipients and contest highlights.

Practice resources

Preparing for BBB

Enrolled students receive a free practice test. Access it through the CKSTEM portal to try the question format and practise within the round’s time limit.

CKSTEM mathematics students can ask their instructor for grade-specific preparation. Explore self-learning resources or watch mathematics solution videos.

Enrol through the CKSTEM portal

Registration and fees

Heat entry: CAD $50. Final entry: CAD $250, by invitation and registered separately. Eligible CKSTEM students can ask their instructor for the heat discount code. Schools can enquire about group registration and financial support.

Shipping is an additional charge per package. View shipping rates and free pickup options.

Sign in with the student’s CKSTEM account. Final registration is for invited heat medal winners.

Create a portal account · Registration help

School registration

Email info@ckstem.org with the contest, participating grades and number of students for group registration and financial-support enquiries.

Read the cancellation and refund policy before paying.

Contest access

Joining on Zoom

Both Canadian rounds take place online on Zoom. Use an internet-connected computer and the contest login supplied after registration. Zoom and test-access instructions will be sent to registered participants.

Check your Zoom connection and portal login before contest day. For missing access details, email info@ckstem.org.

Policies and practical questions

Cancellation and refund policy

Contest fees paid to Competitive Kids STEM are generally non-refundable. CKSTEM pays external organisers and incurs administration, processing and other hosting costs, so withdrawals and cancellations beyond CKSTEM’s control cannot normally be refunded.

If CKSTEM charges a student incorrectly, or cancels an event for reasons within its control and receives a refund from the external organiser, it will refund the eligible fees. Processing charges may be deducted. Review the current registration terms before paying.

Are the heat and final online?

Yes. Both CKSTEM Canadian rounds take place online on Zoom. Registered students receive the Zoom and test-access instructions.

Can we keep a heat award without entering the final?

Yes. Heat and final awards are separate. Qualifying for the final gives you a choice; declining the invitation does not remove an earned heat award.

How do we receive results and awards?

CKSTEM shares results and any qualifying invitation after receiving the organiser’s results. Award-delivery and any local ceremony arrangements are communicated separately. See the collection and shipping options below.

How can we collect awards, and what does shipping cost?

Families can pick up awards free of charge on the announced pickup date, or collect them at the CKSTEM award ceremony. Pickup and ceremony details will be announced separately.

If you prefer shipping, medals and certificates are shipped after results are announced. Shipping is charged separately from contest entry, per package:

  • Canada: CAD $30 per package
  • USA: CAD $50 per package
  • International: CAD $100 per package
What if our school needs financial support?

Contact CKSTEM before registration with your school’s situation and approximate student count. The previous school-entry guidance includes support for underprivileged students; current assistance and group rates are confirmed individually.

Further resources

Official BBB website

For grade-specific syllabus, sample papers, registration or accessibility questions, contact CKSTEM.

Plan your year

BBB dates & deadlines

Dates below are for CKSTEM’s Canadian entries. ET means Toronto time; PT means Vancouver time. Use “Other time zones” for your location.

2 calendar entries

Contest dates, formats and registration deadlines
Contest & roundDate & start timeDuration / formatRegister by
BBB · HeatOpen entry Sat, Feb 13, 2027

12 pm ET / 10 am PT

Other time zones
75 minutes Jan 23, 2027
BBB · FinalQualification required Fri, Mar 12, 2027

6:30 pm ET / 4:30 pm PT

Other time zones
90 minutes Feb 19, 2027

For a fixed-date contest, registration closes three weeks before the sitting. For a submission or sitting window, registration closes two weeks before it begins, except Math, Science, Computing and Writing: their confirmed deadline is March 15, 2027. Finals require qualification and a separate invitation or registration.

Download contest calendar (CSV) · Academic calendar and class schedule