ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIP
An abacus and mental maths championship that celebrates effort.
Every competitor trains for months to get here. We built a competition day that honours that — fair, carefully checked, and warm, whichever level you're on.
1
Compete from Home
No travel, no exam hall. Take part online, from the comfort of home.
2
Recorded & Reviewed
Every round is recorded start to finish and reviewed, so every result is trusted.
3
A Ladder for Everyone
Five levels mean beginners and veterans both get a fair, well-matched round of competition.
4
Every Competitor Recognised
Podium or not, every participant receives an e-certificate for the work it took to get here.
FIVE LEVELS, ONE LADDER
Every child starts at the right level.
Every competitor starts where they're ready, not where everyone else is. If another level suits your child better, request a level review — up or down.
01
Sprout
First steps in mental maths — single-digit addition and subtraction in two short 3-minute rounds. Abacus or mental throughout, ranked by accuracy alone.
Ages 5–6
02
Riser
Two-digit addition and subtraction, plus a first Flash round solved in the mind. Three rounds of 3–5 minutes each.
Ages 7–8
03
Sprinter
Longer two-digit chains of 5–6 numbers at real competition pace. Core Calculation, Flash and Speed Sums rounds of 4–5 minutes each.
Ages 9–10
04
Ace
Every round mental-only, for abacus and mental maths learners alike. Long chains, multiplication, division and multi-step problems across four rounds of 2.5–4 minutes.
Ages 11–12
05
Grandmaster
The top level: decimals, two-digit multiplication and division, and a 90-second Lightning Round. Four mental-only rounds against the clock.
Ages 13+
TRY IT NOW
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How fast is your mind? Try a free mental maths round.
Pick a level and see how fast you are. No sign-up, nothing saved.
Watch a practice round in the Practice Arena — fifteen seconds.
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YOUR ROUND
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KEY DATES
Key dates: Abacus World Championship 2027.
Open now
Registration Open
Register any time before the championship. Places are first-come, first-served once a level fills.
Oct 2026 – Jan 2027
Practice Window
Free abacus and mental maths practice rounds, so every competitor knows exactly what to expect.
16–17 Jan 2027
Championship Days
Pick either day — one sitting of about 20 minutes. One official attempt per competitor, and every champion's name shown to the world.
Both days, in your own time zone
Jan 2027
Results & Certificates
Scores are verified, the podium is announced, and every competitor receives their certificate.
PRIZES
Something to show for every bit of practice.
HALL OF FAME
Five levels, five champions.
FAQ
Abacus and mental maths competition: your questions answered.
How is my level decided?
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By age on 31 December 2026 — Sprout (5–6), Riser (7–8), Sprinter (9–10), Ace (11–12), Grandmaster (13+). If another level suits your child better, you can request a review to move up or down.
Can I request a different level?
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Yes. Placement follows the age bands, but if you believe another level suits your child better, you can request a level review from your account — choose the level and tell us why. An organiser reviews it and you are emailed the outcome; an approved change applies to your practice rounds straight away.
Can my child take part without learning abacus?
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Yes. Every question can be solved in the head, so any child who is good with numbers can enter. Children who use an abacus may use one in the rounds marked “Abacus or Mental”.
What is a mental maths competition?
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A timed contest of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division solved without a calculator or paper. Ours runs online in five age levels, one question at a time. See abacus and mental maths sample questions for every level.
Is the abacus allowed?
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Yes — in every Sprout round. At Riser and Sprinter the abacus is allowed in the Core Calculation and Speed Sums rounds, while the Flash round is mental-only. From Ace onward every round is mental-only — no abacus, calculators, or other aids. Children who don’t use an abacus simply solve every round mentally.
How is the exam proctored?
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Self-recorded, not live-monitored: each competitor records their own screen and camera for the full exam. Questions are one at a time with no going back.
How is the exam scored?
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One point per correct answer, no penalty for wrong or unanswered. Sprout ranks by points alone; every other level ranks by points, then less time as tie-breaker. Every finisher gets an award: Gold (85%+), Silver (75%+), Bronze (65%+) or Merit.
Is there a registration fee?
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Practice is free. Registration fees vary by country and registration period. The applicable fee for your location will be displayed when you register. Early Bird pricing is available until 15 November 2026, after which the regular registration fee applies.
Can I get a refund?
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Entry fees are non-refundable. If we cancel the championship and do not reschedule it, the fee is refunded in full. See the Refund & cancellation policy in our Terms of Use.
Can I practise beforehand?
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Yes — practice access is unlimited once registered, on web or mobile, right up until Championship Day. Practice scores are never counted towards tournament results. Families who want a simple routine can also read our guide on how to prepare for a mental maths competition, including daily practice and an exam-day checklist.
How long does the exam take?
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About 20 minutes in one sitting, on either day — you don't need both days. The questions take 6–15 minutes depending on level; the rest is the set-up checks and short breaks between rounds.
What do I need on exam day?
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A laptop, desktop, tablet or phone with a camera and microphone, and a stable internet connection. On a computer the screen is recorded; on a phone or tablet the front camera records instead, so stand it up with your child's face and hands in view. Use the latest Chrome, Edge or Firefox on a computer, Chrome on Android, or Safari on iPhone and iPad.
What if the internet drops during the exam?
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Don't worry — reopen the page and log in again. If you can't continue, email hello@globalgeniusleague.com within 24 hours with the participant's name and level. Our team will review what happened and may offer a re-attempt.
Your seat on the ladder is still open.
Places in each level are limited — register early to secure your spot.
Register in two minutes
Practise free, unlimited
Compete online from home
A certificate for every child