WOOT (Worldwide Online Olympiad Training)

Grades

Grades 8-12

Age

Typically ages 13-18; younger advanced students may qualify

Citizenship

No citizenship restrictions; international students welcome

Prerequisites

Strong foundation in the specific subject (math, CS, physics, or chemistry); prior olympiad experience not required but recommended

Steps

1. Visit artofproblemsolving.com/school and navigate to WOOT programs
2. Select desired course (MathWOOT, CodeWOOT, PhysicsWOOT, or ChemWOOT)
3. Create an Art of Problem Solving account
4. Register for the program during the enrollment period
5. Complete any prerequisite diagnostic or placement materials if required
6. Participate in the 7-month training cycle starting in fall/winter semester

Materials Needed

• Art of Problem Solving account (free to create)
• Completed application/registration form
• Possibly proof of mathematical or subject-specific ability
• Email confirmation and login credentials

Timeline

WOOT programs typically run September/October through March/April each year; students should register 1-2 months before the program start date; enrollment is typically open during summer months

Cost

Specific pricing not publicly listed on main pages; requires direct inquiry through AoPS website for current tuition costs; known to be a premium program due to instructor quality (likely $1,000-$3,000+ for 7-month course based on competitive program standards)

What Judges Look For

• Demonstrated mathematical/scientific problem-solving ability
• Commitment and discipline to complete a 7-month intensive program
• Passion for the subject matter (math, CS, physics, or chemistry)
• Ability to work collaboratively with advanced peers from around the world
• Prior competition experience or strong foundation in relevant subject
• Motivation to qualify for national or international olympiads

Scoring

Not publicly specified; admission appears to be non-selective or based on self-selection (students register directly); no formal application essay or interview mentioned

Common Mistakes

• Underestimating the time commitment required (7 months is intensive)
• Not having sufficient prerequisite knowledge in the subject
• Joining without clear goals for which competition to target
• Failing to actively participate in the collaborative community aspect
• Attempting to take multiple WOOT programs simultaneously without adequate preparation
• Not utilizing the community of former medalists effectively

Acceptance Rate

No formal acceptance rate published; program appears to have open enrollment for qualified students

Applicants

Not publicly disclosed; AoPS serves over 1 million problem solvers globally

Winners / Selected

Program is not a competition with winners; all participants who complete the training are graduates; success measured by olympiad competition performance rather than program selection

• Start with foundational AoPS courses before enrolling in WOOT if you lack prerequisites
• Join the AoPS Online community forum before the program to get familiar with the culture and resources
• Commit to consistent daily problem-solving practice during the 7 months
• Engage actively with instructors and peer collaborators—learning from others is a key strength of WOOT
• Study past competition problems from target olympiad (USAMO, IMO, etc.) before enrollment
• Take advantage of the community aspect: work on problems collaboratively with global peers
• Set specific competition goals early (e.g., qualify for USAMO, score well on AIME)
• Document your problem-solving process and learn from mistakes during the program
• Use the instructor feedback to identify weak areas and practice those specifically
• Continue engaging with AoPS resources after WOOT ends to maintain momentum through actual competitions

How to Prepare

• Complete foundational AoPS courses (Prealgebra, Algebra, Geometry, Number Theory, Combinatorics as appropriate)
• Practice with AMC 10/12 and AIME problems to build problem-solving stamina
• Study past olympiad problems from your target competition (free on AoPS Wiki)
• Develop comfort with olympiad-style proof writing and rigorous argumentation
• Join local math circles or online forums to practice collaborative problem-solving
• Read AoPS textbooks (Intermediate Counting & Probability, Geometry, etc.)
• Build a daily problem-solving practice routine starting 3-6 months before enrollment
• Familiarize yourself with competition formats and time constraints

Resources

• AoPS Online community forum (free, massive problem repository)
• AoPS textbooks: Art of Problem Solving volumes (Prealgebra through Advanced Geometry)
• AoPS Wiki: free database of competition problems and solutions
• Past USAMO/IMO/USACO problems and solutions (free online)
• Math Olympiad Mentor or coaching (if budget allows)
• Local university math clubs or high school math teams
• Other AoPS courses: AMC 8/10/12 prep, AIME Prep, Geometry, Calculus
• YouTube channels focused on olympiad problem-solving
• Books: The Art of Problem Solving series, competition-specific prep guides

Time Needed

3-6 months of foundational preparation recommended before WOOT; 7 months for the program itself; ongoing practice post-WOOT through actual competition season (typically spring for USAMO)

Successful WOOT participants typically include: high school students (grades 9-11 most common) with prior competition experience (AMC/AIME qualifiers, regional olympiad participants); strong mathematical intuition and creativity; students from STEM-focused schools or math circles; those who have completed AoPS foundation courses; globally diverse student body including students from multiple countries; many go on to represent their countries at International Math Olympiad or achieve medals at national olympiads

WOOT and olympiad participation are viewed very favorably in college admissions to top-tier universities: MIT Admissions explicitly mentions that mathematically inclined students find AoPS an 'indispensable resource'; participation correlates with admission to MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Caltech, UC Berkeley; In 2024, all 6 members of the USA International Math Olympiad team were AoPS alumni—these medalists have exceptional college prospects; olympiad medals and USAMO participation are considered prestigious honors that distinguish applications; shows intellectual depth, problem-solving creativity, and sustained commitment to STEM; particularly valued at competitive STEM schools but also respected across all university admissions

• Simons Summer Research Program — Tier 2, summer program
• Elite Contest Coaching for Canada's Top Math Students — Tier 2, competition
• Canadian Computing Competition (CCC) — Tier 2, competition
• Dr. Charis Eng Monell Science Apprenticeship Program — Tier 2, summer program
• Zero Robotics High School Tournament — Tier 2, competition