How to get to the International Math Olympiad

Timestamps:
00:00 - 00:06 - Hello fellow problem
00:07 - 00:38 Step 1: Figure out the levels of competition
00:39 - 02:01 Step 2: Learn how to write proofs
02:02 - 03:15 Step 3: Look at the previous tests from all these levels and try to solve them
03:16 - 03:36 Look at problems from similar competitions and try to solve them
03:37 - 04:22 First try to solve problems
04:23 - 07:28 Step 4: Learn the theory
07:29 - 09:35 Step 5: Learn how to take exams
09:36 - 11:43 A recap
11:44 - 12:15 There are elements of luck involved
12:16 - 12:19 Thanks for problem solving

[esbih]

Thank you. We like these videos and definitely want more of them.

[brookeyang]

Great video! I definitely found this video really helpful and inspiring! Keep doing what you're doing!

[amaysharma]

Great Vid Bro, one thing that is funny that after 1 month u uploaded another this type of vid (I am talking abt 4 months ago)and the whiteboard is same messier with bashing of geometry problems :D
Love from India!

[ngwgamg]

I am so happy to see this video!
thank you so much❤
I am 16 years old from Japan. Last time, I passed the first qualifying round for the first time, and was almost last in the second exam. I would like to be in the top 20 in the domestic second exam next year and advance to the final exam. My assignments are geometry and combinations. I think I lack knowledge on combinations. I think the problem may be that I have only studied elementary geometry. I plan to study Evan Chen's EGMO in this year.
Here are some questions for you.
①Are there any good websites to learn about combinations?
②When studying for EGMO, if you think about it for more than 3 hours and still don't understand, should you look at the hints? Also, what should you do if you still don't understand even after looking at the hints?
③Regarding general preparations for the Mathematical Olympiad, when you solve problems but don't make any progress, what criteria do you use to look at the answers?
④Should I review the same problems?
I'm waiting for your answer. Please advise!

[navjot]

Please make a playlist for guides as well!

[Dildora-ej]

An awesome video! Nowadays I`m at pre-IMO level and I fail my mock tests. I learned a lot in combinatorics and geometry, but I can`t use my knowledge in solving probems. What would you advice me to do? Thank you very much in advance.

[maxicambo]

Great vid!
I was just wondering if you could tell what IMO topic is GENERALLY the hardest one?
(Algebra, combo, geo, NT) I know that for everyone it is different, but generally concerning all the theory/creativit needed

[bridgeon]

Micheal Penn also has a nice way of explaining problems :>

[aniaguchikamso]

Great video, well I would have gone for the olympiads but no opportunity, anyways thanks man

[bablobko]

Good video, very good video. More such videos, please.

[ehansajjad]

Hi, great video! Just wanted to ask a question: how do you learn to do proof writing? Is it just by completing questions or are there resources and theory that you need to learn? I'd really appreciate it if you could answer my questions!

[asdgautam]

Could you please make a specific video on the USAJMO

[amirz]

Did you go to class during your competition? Do you think that it is possible to pass TST with only books without any classes at all?(In a country like yours)

[cosmicmaster]

Amazing video. However, where can I find past test papers for olympiads for all levels?

[varsiarvi]

hi, well for starters: THANK YOU! i feel like most olympiad tutors often paint themselves as heroes and it's hard for me to learn from perfect. your tips feel useful for humans and i feel relieved i'm not the only one who struggles with things as stress and pressure. specially as a woman who has had experiences with sexist teachers, i often believe feeling this way just proves them right "woman are too emotional for math." and i'm just too thankful for your realistic advice. however, i've some questions:
1. how to learn from a teacher's lesson? i often feel lessons are over me or just too easy, and it's easy for me to give up. i record the class just to never see it again. is this wrong? how to take advantage from live Olympiad classes? do you think I can succeed by myself? cause even so, in my country showing interest to classes does affect your chances to get selected.
2. how do you deal with frustration? you've no idea how helpful the "try something easier" is to me. i used to think solving problems below my level was some kind of weakness or lost of time, but do you have any additional advice for those times where you just don't enjoy math anymore and you are seriously considering giving up?
3. 2023 is my second, yet last IMO (if i get selected). i need to DRASTICALLY improve my level but i feel like i don't have enough time. any sort of advice for that
4. as a bilingual student, any advice for how to learn math in both languages? cause i feel i find more information in english but i still need to write my solutions in my language for selection tests.

[michaeleissenberg]

Excellent video! Could you make an in-depth tutorial on how to do proof please?

[hypergaming]

I spend a lot of time in a single problem, sometimes it takes a day or 2 days, Is it right to spend a lot on a single problem?

[beautyofmath]

Great vid, btw I noticed that that whiteboard hasn’t been cleared for a long while lol.

[tqkmo]

can u make a video on your daily learning routine, or how you divide your time in a day when you was preparing your imo?

[Bossudeboss]

Thank you for the video! I really found it helpful, but my real problem right now is that, even after doing what you told in this video from september until last week when I had the county level of olympiad in Romania, i got the second with 14 points and did not qualify for the nationals. I am sooo so depressed right now as qualifying for the last step of the olympiad has been my dream since I started the year. I do not know what to do 🥺😮‍💨
My friend told me that I need a good olympiad "coach" to train me better for these kind of problems. I quite disagree with him, and agree with him at the same time. I do not know what to do, since I have never worked privately with a teacher. Is that really what would work?