Introduction
For many students, the Caribou Math Contest was their first step into math competitions: online, accessible, and playful. But as of November 2025, Caribou has permanently ended.
This raises an important question for parents and students: What comes next?
In this article, we’ll:
- Review why Caribou mattered.
- Explore four major alternatives (AMC, Waterloo, Kangaroo, COMC).
- Provide sample problems with full solutions (AMC & Waterloo) to showcase problem styles.
Why Caribou Mattered
- Accessible format: fully online, broad participation.
- Playful problem style: logic-driven, puzzle-like word problems.
- Gateway contest: introduced younger students to competitive math before AMC/Waterloo.
Even though Caribou has ended, the skills it nurtured — logic, word-problem solving, and creativity — remain essential and transfer naturally to other contests.
1. AMC — American Mathematics Competitions
Who it’s for
Why it’s strong after Caribou
- Globally recognized.
- Emphasizes word problems in fractions, algebra, geometry, and probability.
- A natural progression for students who liked Caribou’s accessible but rigorous style.
Sample AMC Problems with Solutions
A. Factorial Division (AMC 8, 2017)
- Denominator = 36.
- Result = 40320÷36=112040320 \div 36 = 112040320÷36=1120. ✅ Answer: 1120
B. House Number Logic (AMC 8, 2017)
A two-digit number satisfies exactly three of: prime, even, divisible by 7, contains a 9.
- Check 98: even ✓, ÷7 ✓, digit 9 ✓, not prime ✗. ✅ Answer: 8
C. Seating Arrangement (AMC 8, 2015)
2 boys and 3 girls sit in a row, boys on both ends.
- Boys: 2!2!2! ways. Girls: 3!3!3! ways.
- Total = 121212. ✅ Answer: 12
D. Geometry Ratio (AMC 8, 2020)
Tiles (side sss) + border (ddd) cover 64% of square.
ss+d=0.8⇒d/s=1/4\tfrac{s}{s+d} = 0.8 \Rightarrow d/s = 1/4s+ds=0.8⇒d/s=1/4.
✅ Answer: 1/4
2. Waterloo Math Contests (Canada)
Series:
- Gauss (Gr7–8)
- Pascal (Gr9), Cayley (Gr10), Fermat (Gr11)
- Euclid (Gr12)
Why it’s strong
- Highly respected in Canada.
- Clear grade-by-grade progression.
- Focus on real-world word problems in algebra, geometry, and probability.
Sample Waterloo Problems
Gauss Style
Two gardens: A = 6×86\times86×8, B = 10×510\times510×5.
- Areas equal (48), perimeters differ (28 vs 30). 👉 Students learn to compare both area and perimeter.
Gauss 2021 (Isosceles Triangle)
△ABC\triangle ABC△ABC, isosceles with AB=ACAB=ACAB=AC. M midpoint of BC.
P(△ABC)=64P(\triangle ABC)=64P(△ABC)=64, P(△ABM)=40P(\triangle ABM)=40P(△ABM)=40.
- Let AB=AC=xAB=AC=xAB=AC=x, BC=yBC=yBC=y.
- Equations: 2x+y=642x+y=642x+y=64, x+y2+AM=40x+\tfrac{y}{2}+AM=40x+2y+AM=40.
- Substitute → AM=8AM=8AM=8. ✅ Answer: 8
3. Kangaroo Math Contest
About the contest
- The largest math competition in the world, with millions of participants in 80+ countries.
- For students in Grades 1–12.
- Multiple-choice, short logic and pattern problems.
- Designed to make math fun and engaging rather than intimidating.
Why it’s valuable after Caribou
- Shares Caribou’s playful spirit.
- Encourages creativity, quick reasoning, and pattern recognition.
- A perfect entry point for younger students before AMC and Waterloo.
👉 Kangaroo is less about drilling formulas, more about thinking differently — an excellent replacement for Caribou’s puzzle flavor.
4. COMC — Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge
About the contest
- Aimed at high school students preparing for advanced competitions.
- Run by the Canadian Mathematical Society.
Problem style
- Multi-step algebra, inequalities, number theory, and probability.
- Longer word problems that test depth of reasoning.
Why it matters
- Recognized across Canada.
- Serves as a gateway to Olympiad-level contests like the Canadian Mathematical Olympiad (CMO).
- Best suited for students who have already mastered AMC/Waterloo level problem solving.
How to Transition After Caribou
- Elementary (Gr1–6): Kangaroo → develop fun, logical problem-solving.
- Middle School (Gr6–8): AMC 8, Waterloo Gauss → structured, word-problem-heavy training.
- High School (Gr9–12): AMC 10/12, Waterloo Pascal–Euclid.
- Advanced: COMC → for students aiming at Olympiad pathways.
A progression path:
Caribou (ended) → Kangaroo / Gauss → AMC 8 → AMC 10/12 / Pascal–Fermat → COMC → Olympiads.
FAQ
Q: My child liked Caribou’s online format. What now?
A: Try Kangaroo first (fun and global). Then progress to AMC 8 or Waterloo Gauss for more structure.
Q: Which contests are best for university admissions?
A: AMC 10/12 and Waterloo contests are widely recognized; COMC demonstrates advanced preparation.
Q: Should students memorize formulas or focus on problem solving?
A: Both. But the key skill after Caribou is translating word problems into math models.
Conclusion
Caribou Math Contest may have ended, but its legacy continues through other competitions.
- Kangaroo: playful, global, and beginner-friendly.
- AMC: rigorous, globally respected.
- Waterloo: tiered Canadian pathway with strong recognition.
- COMC: advanced challenge, a step toward Olympiads.
With the right plan, students can transition smoothly from Caribou to contests that build confidence, logic, and academic opportunity.
👉 At Think Academy, we help students navigate this journey — from foundational word problems to contest success.
Final Thoughts
Caribou’s closure ends a beloved tradition, but not your child’s math journey. With AMC, Waterloo, Kangaroo, and COMC, students now have structured and exciting alternatives to continue building their skills.
At Think Academy, we specialize in helping students transition smoothly:
- From fun contests like Caribou and Kangaroo → to rigorous pathways like AMC and Waterloo.
- With structured word-problem training, mock tests, and step-by-step coaching, we prepare students for long-term success in math contests and beyond.
Ready to guide your child after Caribou?
Learn more about Think Academy’s math contest programs by taking the free evaluation.
