Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO) is India's second round of Mathematical Olympiad, leading to the prestigious International Mathematical Olympiad. In India, RMO is conducted in 19 different regions. Students can follow the RMO preparation tips mentioned to clear the Olympiad.
A total number of 35 students is selected for a one-month-long camp, i.e., International Math Olympiad Training Camp, held in the summer in Mumbai.
Table of Contents
How to Prepare for RMO?
From 2013, RMO tests are be divided into two sections. The first section is objective (multiple choice type). The duration to complete the first section is 2 hours and will consist of about 30 problems. The second section is a "subjective" type test where the contestant is expected to write down full answers. This section has a duration of 3 hours, and there are six problems to be attempted.
Follow the below RMO preparation tips below to clear the Regional Mathematical Olympiad.
- Focus on Basics
- Solve Many Questions on a Single Concept
- Develop Problem-Solving Attitude
- Choose the Right Books for Preparation
- Solve Previous Year Papers
- Solve Questions from Similar Exams
- Take Mock Tests
- Find a Coach for Preparation
Focus on Basics
Go to the root cause of every problem and ask yourself many questions for every problem you solve, every technique, formula, or theorem you learn. The in-depth study always helps you encounter the trickiest and the most difficult sums in your actual RMO exam. Clear concepts give you a lot of confidence, and you can solve the hardest sum with a cool and calm mind.
Solve Many Questions on a Single Concept
When you are clear with a single topic or concept, take your time to find out your level of understanding of the concepts. Solve as many sums as you can on a single concept.
Develop Problem-Solving Attitude
Solve the mathematical sums with all the concepts learned by increasing the conceptual understanding. Solve questions as puzzles and enjoy doing them. Check the solution after trying several times, think, and don't take it as a failure. Instead, take it as a learning.
Choose the Right Books for Preparation
The selection of the right book is an essential part of preparation. Choose books that cover the concept instead of selecting and practising from many books. The books mentioned below are adequate for the preparation.
Solve Previous Year Papers
Sample papers will always help the students know the exam's exact difficulty level and prepare accordingly. Try to solve them in a time-bound manner.
Solve Questions from Similar Exams
To prepare for the Indian Mathematical Olympiad, students can look out for questions in the Singapore Math Olympiad, American Math Olympiad, Hong Kong Math Olympiad, Australian Math Olympiad, etc. It will help students be aware of the levels of the questions your competitors are facing.
Take Mock Tests
Take mock tests to check your ability of problem-solving. An online test helps you to know your fitness status in the competition. Students will be able to know where they stand and what should be improved.
Find a Coach for Preparation
A coach can always closely examine the student's performance and guide them to improve in the fields they lack. Also, students will be able to get proper encouragement and guidance towards their goals.
RMO Preparation Books
The questions in RMO are non-standard in nature. They are from Geometry, Combinatorics, Number theory, and Algebra (inequalities, functional equation, and theory of equation). The syllabus does not include calculus.
The books that will help you to prepare for RMO are mentioned below:
Miscellaneous
- Challenges and Thrills of Pre-College Mathematics by V Krishnamurthy and C R Pranesachar
- Excursion in Mathematics
- Mathematical Olympiad Challenges by Titu Andreescu and Razvan Gelca
- Mathematical Gems Vol. 1, 2, 3 by Dolciani Series
Geometry
- Geometric Transformations by Yaglom
- Lines and Curves by Vasilyev
- Problems in Plane Geometry by Sharygyn
- Geometry Revisited by Coxeter Greitzer
- Geometrical Etudes in Combinatorics by Alexander Soifer
Number Theory
- Elementary Number Theory by David Burton
- Elements of Number Theory by Sierpinsky
- 104 Problems in Number Theory by Titu Andreescu
Algebra
- Elementary Algebra and Higher Algebra by Hall and Knight
- Inequalities through Problems by Venkatchala
- Inequalities by Korovkin (Little Math Library)
- Functional Equation by Venkatchala
- Complex Numbers from A to Z by Titu Andreescu
Combinatorics
- Introduction to Combinatorics by Brualdi
Problem Books
- Problem-Solving Strategies by Arthur Engel
- The IMO Compendium by Dusan Djuki, Vladimir Jankovi, Ivan Mati
