Mathematical Modeling

IMMC

International Mathematical Modeling Challenge

About the Contest

Founded in 2015, the International Mathematical Modeling Challenge (IMMC) is jointly organised by its international committee and national or regional committees. Open to secondary students worldwide, it is one of the few secondary-school modelling contests to culminate in an international final presentation and defence.

The Greater China region holds an autumn round in November and a winter round in January–February. Within a window of approximately five days, each team selects a continuous 96-hour period to complete its response. Outstanding teams advance to the international round and compete on the same problem as teams from other countries and regions, with finalists progressing to the international presentation and defence. A separate junior division is available, with different problems from the senior division.

Teams normally comprise 2–4 students from the same school with a faculty advisor. Problems are open-ended, grounded in the real world and relevant to everyday life. Previous topics have included public health, transport planning, financial analysis, environmental protection and artificial intelligence. Teams develop assumptions, build and test an original model, and submit a structured solution paper.

The international Outstanding award is presented to only a few teams worldwide per problem each year, making it a highly prestigious honour in secondary-school mathematical modelling. Eligibility and submission requirements vary by country and region, so teams should follow the current announcement from their local organiser.

Key Facts

Founded in 2015 for secondary students worldwide, with separate junior and senior divisions
Teams of 2–4 from the same school with an advisor choose a continuous 96-hour working period within an approximately five-day window
Greater China offers autumn and winter rounds, with outstanding teams advancing to the international round and final defence
Open-ended, real-world problems emphasise original models, validation, teamwork and academic communication

IMMC 2027 (13th Edition) Greater China Schedule (GMT / UTC+8)

Autumn registration: open until 19 November 2026
Winter registration: 23 November 2026–28 January 2027
Greater China autumn round: 8:00 PM on 19 November–8:00 PM on 23 November 2026; 23 November is also the submission deadline for the untimed self-selected problem paper
Greater China winter round: 8:00 PM on 28 January–8:00 PM on 1 February 2027; 1 February is also the submission deadline for the untimed self-selected problem paper
International round: 8:00 PM on 3 March–8:00 PM on 8 March 2027
Final presentation and defence: late April 2027, Hong Kong
IMMC International Summit and Awards Ceremony: summer 2027, Hong Kong

Awards

Outstanding (international): the contest's highest honour, awarded to only a few teams worldwide per problem each year
Finalist (international): awarded to teams advancing to the international final presentation and defence
Honorable Mention (international): awarded for outstanding papers in the international round
Greater China regional awards include Outstanding, First Prize and Second Prize; autumn and winter rounds are judged separately, subject to the regional organiser's announcements

Preparation Tips

Teams may enter both the autumn and winter rounds in Greater China; a common strategy is to gain experience in autumn and aim for international qualification in winter
The junior division has separately written problems; junior and senior teams participate concurrently but are judged separately
The international defence requires a presentation and Q&A in English, so qualifying teams should prepare their oral presentation in advance

Core Skills

Problem formulation: identify key variables, constraints and objectives in a real-world context
Model construction: make justified assumptions and select appropriate mathematical, statistical or computational methods
Validation and interpretation: use data, visualisations and sensitivity analysis to test the model and discuss limitations
Team research: coordinate work under a deadline and produce a coherent paper with appropriate citations

Participation Info

Suitable Grades: Secondary students worldwide in junior and senior divisions; teams of 2–4 from the same school with a faculty advisor
Contest Time: 2027 season: autumn round 19–23 November 2026; winter round 28 January–1 February 2027
Format: Choose a continuous 96-hour period within an approximately five-day regional window; outstanding teams advance to the international round and final defence

LighTon Coaching Programmes

IMMC Customised Coaching

1-on-1 Full-Cycle Mentoring

For individual entrants or students wanting close guidance

One-on-one guidance from topic selection, modelling and coding through the English paper
Flexible scheduling around the student's pace, with intensive pre-contact sessions
Online or in person, with cross-time-zone sessions available

Team-Based Customised Coaching

For teams of 2-4 students entering together

A coaching plan and division of labour built around the whole team
Hands-on team guidance: model building, data validation, paper division and final editing
Focused workshops at key milestones plus a full mock contest

Tutors

IMMC courses are taught by subject-specialist tutors with years of international curriculum and competition experience.

Meet LighTon's Select Tutors

Track Record

Our students regularly win awards in major contests — results updated continuously
Students consistently achieve top grades in the matching IB / AP / A-Level subjects

Frequently Asked Questions

Which grades is IMMC suitable for?

Secondary students worldwide in junior and senior divisions; teams of 2–4 from the same school with a faculty advisor

When is the IMMC held?

2027 season: autumn round 19–23 November 2026; winter round 28 January–1 February 2027

What is the format of the IMMC?

Choose a continuous 96-hour period within an approximately five-day regional window; outstanding teams advance to the international round and final defence

What IMMC coaching does LighTon offer?

LighTon offers customised 1-on-1 courses and team-based coaching for the IMMC, covering topic selection, modelling, coding and English paper writing, online and in person. Contact us for a free preparation plan and a trial lesson.

Preparing for IMMC?

Book a free consultation for a personalised preparation plan and coaching schedule.

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