The General Administration of Education in Medina Region has announced the launch of registration for the Kaostat Mathematics competition, a science‑driven contest organized by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The initiative seeks to develop students’ higher‑order thinking skills, identify mathematical talent, and provide an academic platform for budding scholars. Students from both Saudi and resident schools—public, private, and international—enrolled in grades six through twelve are eligible to participate across three distinct tracks.
Registration for the competition opens on November 2, 2026, and will take place through the General Administration’s established online portal, which handles entries for regional educational events. Participants must submit required details by the deadline of December 12, 2026. Once the registration period closes, the Administration will announce the testing centers where each of the discipline’s segments will be held. The first round—an in‑person written exam—will occur on January 23, 2027, setting the stage for the final competition stage. The final finals take place on April 2, 3, and 4, 2027, at the KAUST campus, drawing regional top performers into a high‑profile assessment.
The competition is organized around three thematic tracks tailored to the developmental stages of students. The “Ashbal” track targets sixth‑grade students and first‑year middle‑school students; the “Nasheen” track serves second and third‑year middle‑school students; and the “Shabaan” track is designated for first and second‑year high‑school students. Each track challenges participants in deep analytical problem‑solving and fosters the application of mathematical concepts in novel contexts. In essence, the competition offers a hierarchical progression that mirrors the educational ladder, providing age‑appropriate challenges that spur intellectual growth.
Following the initial written exam on January 23, 2027, the competition progresses towards its apex: the finals held from April 2 to 4, 2027. Students who pass the preliminary round will advance to the finals, a series of contests that culminate in a national showcase of mathematical talent. The finals, hosted at KAUST’s campus, will incorporate a mix of problem‑solving exercises, conceptual discussions, and perhaps interactive workshops facilitated by the university’s faculty, thereby providing participants with exposure to advanced academic environments and research perspectives.
According to the announcement, the Kaostat Mathematics competition is part of Medina’s broader effort to promote STEM education and cultivate a culture of inquiry. By engaging students in rigorous mathematical challenges, the program aims to sharpen problem‑solving skills, encourage collaborative learning, and signal the importance of cross‑disciplinary expertise. The partnership between the General Administration of Education and KAUST exemplifies a regional commitment to harnessing scientific infrastructure for youth development, aligning with national initiatives that emphasize research and innovation as drivers of socioeconomic growth. This competition will serve both as an assessment of current academic standards and as an impetus for further educational investments, thereby reinforcing the Medina Region’s role as a hub for scientific learning in the Kingdom.
