Math Challenge Rules

Exam Rules and Instructions to Participants

The following instructions must be carefully read and observed in every detail.

Acknowledgement/Confirmation Letter: Participants should bring their printed Acknowledgement Letter to the exam. All participants will be required to sign in and show valid identification upon entering the test center as follows: One current form of photo identification with your signature (e.g., driver’s license, passport, school identification). Anyone unable to meet these requirements will NOT BE PERMITTED into the testing room. The Supervisor has the authority to ban participants with improper identification from testing. Participants who have not registered for the exam will not be allowed to test. Walk-ins are NOT accepted.

Exam Room Opens: The exam room will be open at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the exam to allow for check-in procedures. Once check-in procedures and verbal instructions are completed the exam will begin. Participants will be given the full amount of time to take the exam. Exam times do not include check-in, reading of instructions, or the collection of exam materials at the conclusion of exams.  No one will be admitted more than fifteen minutes after the session begins.

Personal Belongings: Participants must provide their own pens or pencils. For the HCC 2025 Math Challenge Exam, multiple‐choice exams a #2 pencil or HB lead is recommended. Hats, caps, and earphones may not be worn during the exam (except for religious observance).  In brief, the only materials you are allowed to have at your desk during the exam are writing instruments and a regular, conventional watch.  Any other personal items must be set aside (out of the participants’ view) prior to the exam start.

Electronic Devices: All electronic devices (including cell phones) are prohibited. All cell phones must be turned off and stowed away during the exam.  In the event that a cell phone is left on and rings during an exam, the proctor will be required to report the incident to the Supervisor.  This may result in the participant’s examination being disqualified.

Food and Drink: Consumption of any food or beverage is prohibited except for medical situations where the Supervisor has provided authorization.

Absence and Late Arrival: No additional time will be given to participants who are absent for part of the exam, regardless of the reason for their absence.  If a participant needs to leave the room during the exam, then the exam attempt is considered to be complete, and the exam packet (exam and SCANTRON) must be turned into the proctor. Once a participant leaves the examination room, they will not be allowed to reenter.

Candidate Number: During on-site registration, participant will receive an Admission Ticket which will contain the participant’s candidate number. The candidate number must be written on the SCANTRON sheet.  Participants should retain their candidate number to check exam results.

Calculators: As previously stated, calculators are not allowed.

Scratch Paper:  Participants are not allowed to bring scratch paper into the exam room.  Blank paper is provided for scratch work in the exam book.

Meaning of Questions: Participants may not consult the proctor as to the meaning of any question.

Disciplinary Action: Participants must not give or receive assistance of any kind during the exam.  Any cheating, any attempt to cheat, assisting others to cheat, or participating therein, or engaging in such improper conduct will generally result disqualifying the participant’s examination.

Examples of improper conduct include but are not limited to: