On November 1 2026, the General Administration of Education in Medina Region announced that registration is now open for the KAUST Mathematics Competition, a national contest organized by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The competition seeks to develop higher‑order thinking skills among Saudi students and to identify those with mathematical talent. Registration will close on December 12 2026, and the first qualifying round is set for January 23 2027, with finals scheduled for April 2–4 2027 at KAUST.
According to the Saudi Press Agency release, the contest targets Saudi citizens and residents enrolled in public, private, and international schools. Groups of students will compete in three grade tracks: six and seven, eight and nine, and ten and eleven. The tracks are designed to provide an age‑appropriate assessment of mathematical reasoning while offering a competitive platform that encourages academic excellence. The registration window, available online from the regional education authority’s portal, opened yesterday in an effort to reach a broad audience across the region.
“The aim of the competition is to nurture high‑level thinking skills and to give students a platform where they can showcase their mathematical abilities,” the SPA statement added. The authority further noted that the competition aligns with national educational goals to foster talent in STEM disciplines and to prepare students for future challenges in science and technology. The first stage will be an in‑person written test, in which participants will solve problems that test both computational proficiency and conceptual understanding.
The Saudi Press Agency also clarified that the number and location of test centers will be announced after registration closes. Institutes and school administrators are currently awaiting official notification regarding venue assignments, which is an open point as schools plan to address logistics and eligibility requirements. The regional education authority encourages interested students to apply promptly to secure a spot at a local test center.
In addition to the competitive format, SPA highlighted that the event is part of a broader initiative aimed at identifying mathematically talented students. The finals event at KAUST will bring together the top performers for a series of advanced challenges and an awards ceremony. This final stage is expected to attract significant attention from academic institutions and potential scholarship programs.
While the announcement expressed enthusiasm about promoting STEM education, several questions remain. The exact number of participants who will register has yet to be disclosed, as does the detailed selection process beyond the written test. Regional schools and parents are monitoring the development of the competition, anticipating further details about prize structures and eligibility criteria as the event progresses.
For now, students and parents alike are advised to visit the Medina Region Education Authority’s website to complete the online registration before the December 12 deadline. The competition’s framework underscores the authority’s commitment to academic excellence and one of Medina’s most notable educational initiatives of the year. As the event approaches, stakeholders will likely receive additional information regarding test centers, schedules, and precise requirements from official announcements by the SPA and KAUST."
