Frequently Asked Questions
Accommodations
You can download this PDF document, a descriptive list of accommodations available in the area, broken up into sections by price.
If your team is having trouble finding accommodations, for financial reasons or otherwise, it may be possible to stay with Harvard or MIT undergraduates, but we must be notified as soon as possible. Email hmmt-request@mit.edu so that necessary arrangements can be made.
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Contest Difficulty
- How hard are the tests?
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They are not easy. There have been years when the top scores have been less than a 50%. The sample problems should give you a pretty good idea of what to expect in terms of difficulty. We hope the contestants find the problems interesting and fun to work on even after the test is over (along the lines of the AIME or the Mandelbrot), but few if any will be able to do all 10 problems on a Subject Test in the time allotted.
- What is a Guts Round?
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The Guts Round is a fun-filled event that requires speed, accuracy, and teamwork. At the judge's signal, teams of eight will send a runner to the front of the room to collect three problems. After the team solves these problems, the runner will return with the answers and collect the next set of problems.
- What about the Team Round?
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The Team Round is a proof based test where students tackle a set of problems designed to elicit creative and rigorous thinking. These problems are similar in style to questions in the Power Round at the American Regions Math League. The Team Round progresses over a wide range of difficulty, and it will motivate and challenge all members of a team.
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Contest Rules
- Can students who have already graduated from high school compete?
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Sorry, all participants must be currently pursuing a secondary school education and must not be twenty years of age by March 1, 2012. International students in thirteen-year programs are welcome, provided they fulfill the age limit. If you feel that an exception to this rule ought to be made or are unsure as to the eligibility of a student, please e-mail hmmt-request@mit.edu.
- Can international students compete?
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Yes. We consider international applicants on a case-by-case basis. Please email hmmt-request@mit.edu.
Directions to MIT
For printable maps, see whereis.mit.edu.
- How do we get there?
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via Public Transportation
Subway. By train, take the Red Line to the Kendall/MIT station or to the Central Square station, both of which are a short walk from the campus.
Bus. The #1 or Dudley bus stops at MIT on Massachusetts Avenue and provides transportation to Central Square and Harvard Square.
from Logan Airport
by Subway. From any terminal at Logan airport, take the Silver Line bus to South Station on the Red Line. Take the Red Line toward Alewife to the Kendall/MIT station.
- Where can I park when I get to MIT?
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MIT facilities refers people to:
- Massachusetts Ave. and Vassar St. lot—$9.00
- Four Cambridge Center, Kinney System—Ames St. and Broadway—$16.00
- 10 Cambridge Center, Kinney System—Binney St. and Broadway—$18.00
- University Park—Green St. and Sidney St.—$18.00
These parking facilities are not operated by MIT. Rates are subject to change without notice.
Directions to Harvard
For an area map, see here.For a map of the Harvard Campus, see here.
The competition takes place at the Science Center, which is located just north of Harvard Yard.
Directions detailing how to get to Harvard by car, train, or bus, and from Logan Airport are available here. Parking information is available here.
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