Math Kangaroo USA
International Competition in Mathematics
for K-12 students

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Team Competition – Proctoring Guidelines

Math Kangaroo Team Competition – Proctoring Guidelines

The role of the proctor is to ensure that the Math Kangaroo Team Competition is conducted fairly, securely, and in an encouraging environment for all students. Proctors are responsible for supervising the competition session, distributing and collecting all materials, monitoring the time, and ensuring that students follow the rules without outside assistance.

Responsibilities of the Proctor

  • Supervision: Remain in the room for the entire duration of the competition and oversee the participating team(s).

  • Environment: Create a quiet, organized, and distraction-free space.

  • Identity Verification: Confirm the identity of all participating students.

  • Instructions: Clearly explain the rules before the competition begins.

  • Monitoring: Ensure that students work only within their team and do not use unauthorized materials.

  • Timing: Keep accurate track of the competition time.

  • Answer Submission: Verify that all answers are submitted correctly and securely.

  • Recordkeeping: Take attendance and note any irregularities during the session.

  • Collection: Gather all completed answer sheets and return them according to the provided instructions.

Who Can Serve as a Proctor?

A proctor may be a teacher, school staff member, or a parent volunteer approved by the competition center. A team’s coach may not serve as the proctor for that team. Coaches may proctor other teams if approved by the center.

Special note for coaches/parents.

Coaches and parents serving as proctors must strictly follow all proctoring procedures. They must not provide hints, explanations, or any form of assistance to participants and must not be involved in entering or submitting answers for the team they are supervising.

Center Manager – Roles and Responsibilities

  • The Center Manager oversees the Team Competition at their competition center.
  • The Center Manager is responsible for selecting the date, time, and location of the Team Competition.
  • A Team Competition Center must host at least 4 teams (minimum 10 students).
  • Every team must have a Coach.
  • The Coach registers a team of 2–4 students. All team members must be registered at the same time.
  • The Center Manager communicates with teams through their Coaches.
  • A Center Manager may also serve as a Coach.
  • However, if the Center Manager is also the Coach, they may not serve as the Proctor for their own team, as a Coach is not permitted to supervise their team’s test.
  • In this situation, the Center Manager/Coach is responsible for recruiting volunteers and appointing another qualified individual to serve as the Proctor.
  • The Proctor must be independent of the team being tested and is responsible for administering the competition in accordance with the Team Competition Rules.

Before Test Day

  • Confirm capacity: The number of teams entered on your Center Confirmation Form should match the number you can comfortably host.
  • Register teams: Use your Center ID in the Team Registration Form. Teams consist of 2–4 students, with a captain and an optional coach.
  • Communicate with parents: Share logistics, arrival time, and contest duration.
  • Schedule test time: Choose any date and time in the November 13–20 window.
  • Prepare rooms: If multiple teams are in the same room, avoid placing teams of the same level next to each other. Large rooms are suitable if teams are sufficiently spaced apart.

On Test Day

Team Test Administration (Paper-Based Format)

Test Format:
The contest consists of a mix of multiple-choice and open-response questions. Each team will complete the test using printed contest materials.

Answer Sheet:

  • Each team receives one Scantron answer sheet for the entire team.
  • Teams must work together and record their final answers on the team answer sheet.
  • The completed answer sheet must be submitted within the 60-minute testing period.

Time:
Teams have 60 minutes to solve the contest problems and complete the answer sheet.

Proctoring Responsibilities:

  • Before the contest begins, proctors must review and announce all contest rules and instructions.
  • Proctors monitor teams throughout the testing period and ensure that there is no communication between different teams.
  • Parents may volunteer to serve as proctors.
  • Proctors should not provide assistance with solving problems or interpreting questions.

Answer Sheet Collection:

  • At the end of the 60-minute testing period, proctors collect the completed team Scantron answer sheet.
  • Last 5 minutes: Ensure teams (captains) complete their answer sheets. There is no penalty for incorrect answers on multiple-choice question. Leave only open-response questions blank if necessary.
  • Proctors verify that the team name/identification information is complete and submit the answer sheet to the Center Manager.

Material Collection and Security:
Proctors must collect all contest materials, including:

  • Team Scantron answer sheets
  • Contest question sheets
  • Solution/reference sheets (if provided)
  • Student scratch/draft papers

All materials must be submitted to the Center Manager immediately after the contest. The Center Manager is responsible for securely storing all contest materials and ensuring that they are not shared or disclosed to students, parents, or other participants until December 20, 2026.

After Test

The Center Manager will:

  • Upload a scan or photo of each signed paper answer sheet to MK within 3 days after the competition.
  • Report any irregularities or issues (technical, proctoring, or student-related) to the MK Team.
  • Share feedback about the process. Your observations will help us improve future competitions.

Reminders

 

  • To protect the integrity of the Math Kangaroo Team Competition, all test papers and answer sheets must be collected and secured immediately after the competition. Please do not distribute, copy, or share any competition materials.
  • Private centers will receive a direct registration link. Please share this link with the coach or team coordinator responsible for registering teams.
  • All team registrations must be completed by October 15, 2026.
  • Registration fees are non-refundable once payment has been completed.

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