Frequently Asked Questions

Where can we stay in Boston?

You can download this PDF document, a descriptive list of accomodations available in the area, broken up into sections by price. Also visit the MIT Hotel Directory for details and links to information on hotels in Boston and Cambridge that offer discounts for Institute-related reservations.

If your students would like to have a college trip type of experience and/or save a little money, 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), or comment form], so that necessary arrangements can be made.

What is there to do in Boston?

Boston is a very pedestrian-friendly city, especially since everything is linked by the T subway system; you and your students can trek easily from lunch in Chinatown to a nice theatre, or to the bustle of the many shops and restaurants of Downtown Crossing or Newbury Street. Take a look at http://www.boston.citysearch.com for things to do.

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How hard are the tests?

They are not easy. 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 50 minutes allotted.

For students who may feel ill-prepared to take on two Subject Tests, the General Test is an easier alternative. The General Test will last 100 minutes, and will be administered simultaneously with the two rounds of Subject Tests. With respect to individual and team awards, the General Test is weighted at 80% the point value of two Subject Tests.

The only test which requires knowledge of calculus is the Calculus Subject Test.

The Guts Round is a fun-filled event like team ciphering at Florida Mu Alpha Theta tournaments. 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.

In the Team Round, students have one hour to 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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What are the contest rules?

The rules are available online for your reading pleasure.

Are calculators allowed?

No, calculators are not permitted on any of the tests except in the Guts Round (computers, books, sliderules, abaci, etc. are also not permitted). Similarly, drawing aids such as rulers, protractors, compasses, and graph paper are also not allowed except in the Guts Round. Contestants may count on their fingers and use the scratch paper we will provide.

How many teams can each school bring?

Due to staff and space limitations, HMMT will likely be oversubscribed this year. We anticipate being able to allow each school that registers by December 15, 2004 to bring at least one team; see our registration policy for more details.

How many students can be on a team?

Each team will consist of no more than eight students If a team has fewer than eight students, it has the option of merging with participants from another school. Extra team members from different schools will be combined to form composite teams.

Do all students on a team have to be from the same school?

No, a coach can bring a team that includes students from multiple schools (including homeschooled students). We will put all of the material for that team into one packet.

Must all teams be affiliated with a school?

No! We welcome students who wish to come on their own or with friends from other schools.

Can students who are not yet in the 9th grade compete?

Yes. Any middle school student who feels ready to compete is welcome to come.

Can students who have already graduated from high school compete?

Sorry, all participants must be currently pursuing a secondary school education and must not be twenty years of age by March 1, 2003. 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.

Directions to MIT

For printable maps, see whereis.mit.edu

How do we get there?

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. The walk from Central Square takes about 10 minutes and takes you right down Massachusetts Avenue. The Kendall/MIT Station is on the edge of the east end of campus, and as soon as you enter an MIT building you can get to the other buildings without going outside.

Bus. The #1 or Dudley bus stops at MIT on Massachusetts Avenue and provides transportation to Central Square and Harvard Square. The MIT stop is at a large crosswalk with a stop light. One one side of the street are steps leading up to large Ionic columns and the Small Dome of MIT, on the other side of the street is the Stratton Student Center and Kresge Oval (an open, grass-covered area).

from Logan Airport

by Subway. The subway ride from Logan involves several transfers. From any terminal at Logan airport, take the airport shuttle bus to the Blue Line subway station. Take the Blue Line to the Government Center station and go upstairs to and take the Green Line trolley to Park Street. At the Park Street station, go downstairs and take the Red Line subway to Kendall/MIT (take the outbound train toward Alewife). Under normal conditions the ride will take about one-half hour.

by Car

from the North (I-95 or I-93). If you are heading south on I-93, follow I-93 into Boston then follow the I-93 instructions below. If you are heading south on I-95, take the I-93 South exit then follow the instructions from I-93. Alternatively, take the I-90 East exit from I-95 then follow the instructions from I-90.

from the South (I-95 or I-93). If you are heading north on I-93, follow I-93 (the Southeast Expressway) into Boston then follow the I-93 instructions below. If you are heading north on I-95, take the I-93 North exit then follow the instructions from I-93. Alternatively, take the I-90 East exit from I-95 then follow the instructions from I-90.

from the West (I-90) (Mass Turnpike). Follow I-90 east to the Cambridge/Brighton exit (exit 18). Following the signs to Cambridge, cross the River Street Bridge, and continue straight about 1 mile to Central Square. Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue and follow Massachusetts Avenue for about a half mile. The main entrance to MIT will be on your left. If you cross the river again, you have gone too far.

from Route I-93. From I-93, take exit 26, and follow the signs to Back Bay along Storrow Drive West, approximately 1.5 miles, to the exit for Route 2A. The exit will be on the left, just before the Harvard Bridge (more appropriately called the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge). The Charles River will be on your right . As you cross the bridge, you will be looking at MIT - the Great Dome and academic facilities are on the right, the dormitories and athletic facilities are on the left.

How does registration work?

Registration forms will be available online shortly. HMMT will take place February 19, 2005, so please register earlier than December 15th, 2004, as test fees go up after that date and organizing the contest becomes significantly more hectic if we do not know how many students to expect.

On the day of the contest, a coach or representative from every school must check in by 8:50am at the registration table in lobby 16. Room assignments for testing will be given out at that time.

Please note when checking in, each school should confirm with us our list of the names of the students taking each test, including each student's year and gender, and pay any fees that were not paid in advance. No registrations will be accepted after February 1st, 2005.

How much does registration cost?

Registration is $10 per student until December 15th, 2004, and $12 between December 16th, 2004 and January 19th, 2005 and $15 after that date.