The selection camp for Thailand’s representatives in the **International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)** has two main stages:
Stage 1
This stage is held in January and focuses on preparing and building basic knowledge. During my year, this part was done online. The lessons helped lay the foundation and get students ready for the second stage.
Stage 2
This stage takes place in April and lasts for one month, mostly at Triam Udom Suksa School. Each day, classes and problem-solving sessions run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The teachers go deeper into the topics and introduce harder problems compared to the first stage.
In this camp, students learn advanced math, including some university-level topics and modern mathematical ideas. Preparing ahead of time is very important because the material is harder and more complex.
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How I Prepared for the Camp and Represented Thailand
I believe that getting ready for the camp and becoming a representative of Thailand requires a strong understanding of the material and regular practice.
1. Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Students should figure out what they’re good at and what they need to improve. For example, some topics might need extra practice or more focus to fully understand.
2. Practice Problems Regularly
I practiced every day by simulating the real exam, spending 4.5 hours solving 3 problems. Most of the problems I used for practice came from international sources, like:
– USAMO
– USA TST
– RMM
These problems are often harder than the real IMO problems, which helped me improve my problem-solving skills and get used to tough questions.
3. Start with Easy Problems First
It’s a good idea to start with easier problems to build a strong foundation and then slowly move on to harder ones.
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My Success in the IMO Camp
In 2023, I was selected as one of Thailand’s representatives for the IMO. This success came from hard work and consistent practice. I focused on solving difficult problems and stuck to a good training schedule. Practicing harder problems than the real IMO questions helped me perform better during the actual competition.
But in the end, the most important things are effort and a willingness to learn. With good time management and focused practice, any student can increase their chances of becoming a representative for Thailand.