ELMACON Elementary Mathematics Competition
BC's own math competition for Grades 5–7, held in person at UBC on a Saturday in late April or early May. Parents register online.
- Grades
- Grades 5–7
- Format
- In person at UBC Vancouver, on paper.
- Cost
- $40 last year. 2027 fee not announced yet.
- Official site
- elmacon.org
Key dates
- Not confirmed yetFree prep sessionsUsually November, January and March
- Not confirmed yetRegistration deadlineEarly-to-mid April 2027 (2026: April 10)
- Not confirmed yetCompetition dayA Saturday in late April or early May 2027 (2026: May 2)
What it is
ELMACON is a one-day individual competition at UBC with separate divisions for Grades 5, 6 and 7.
It has three rounds: Sprint (26 questions in 50 minutes), Target (12 harder questions in pairs) and Countdown, a live buzzer round for the top 10 in each grade. No calculators.
A student can compete once at each grade level.
A good fit if: Grade 5–7 students who enjoy math and want a real competition-day experience.
How to register
- Register online at elmacon.org. Payment is through UBC's uPay system.
- In 2026, registration closed April 10 for a May 2 competition. Join the ELMACON mailing list to hear when 2027 registration opens.
How to prepare
- Free practice exams from 2003 onward are at elmacon.org/practice.
- Free prep sessions usually run in November, January and March.
For grade-by-grade options see Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7.
Common questions
Where is ELMACON held?
In person at UBC in Vancouver, on a Saturday.
What awards does ELMACON give?
Every student gets a participation certificate. The top 25 per grade are recognized, the top 10 receive medals and compete in Countdown, and the top 3 receive trophies.
What comes next
Sources
Last checked October 2, 2026. Dates can change, so always confirm with the organizer.