How To Use The Australian Competition Calendar For Maths, Science And Coding
A competition calendar is useful only if it helps families make better decisions. Dates matter, but preparation timing matters even more. A student who discovers an exam one week before registration may still enter, but they may not have enough time to prepare well.
The AceAchievers Exam Calendar should be used as a planning tool, not just a date list.
Step 1: Choose The Main Competition
Pick one main competition for the term. For maths, that may be AMC or AIMO. For science, it may be Big Science, JSO or Australian Science Olympiads. For coding, it may be AIO.
The main competition gets the deepest preparation.
Step 2: Mark Three Dates
For every competition, mark:
- registration closing date;
- exam window or exam date;
- ideal preparation start date.
The preparation start date is usually 6-10 weeks before the exam for broad competitions and longer for olympiad-style exams.
Step 3: Add A Support Goal
A support goal can be a cheat sheet, diagnostic set, mock exam or related competition.
Examples:
- AMC main goal plus AMC mock exam;
- Big Science main goal plus JSO readiness check;
- AIO main goal plus coding problem sets;
- ICAS Science plus Big Science topic review.
Step 4: Avoid Date Clashes
Some exams sit close together. This can be useful if preparation overlaps, but it can also overload the student.
Use the calendar to see clusters. If two exams are close, decide whether they use similar preparation. AMC and ICAS Mathematics can overlap. Big Science and JSO can overlap. AIMO and AIO usually need different preparation.
Step 5: Turn Results Into Next Steps
After each competition, do not stop at the result. Ask:
- Which topic areas were strong?
- Which question types caused mistakes?
- Was timing a problem?
- Did the student enjoy the preparation?
- What is the next suitable competition?
This turns the calendar into a learning pathway.
Where To Start
FAQ
When should students start preparing for competitions?
For broad competitions, 6-10 weeks is often practical. For olympiad-style exams, preparation should begin earlier.
Should parents rely only on a calendar page?
No. Use the calendar for planning, then confirm final dates and rules with the official organiser or school.
How many competitions should be on the calendar?
Many students do best with one main competition and one supporting goal at a time.
What should happen after the exam?
Review results, identify patterns and choose the next step. The result should guide preparation, not end it.
Where to go next
Once the year is mapped, the next decision is which one to actually prepare for.
- Sitting AMC for the first time
- Aiming to lift Credit into Distinction
- New to science olympiad
- Strong ICAS or Big Science result
- Complete beginners to programming
- Want real competition Python, not toy snippets