Registration opens
2 August 2026
Season 30 applications begin.
Competition
Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament
by HMMT
A demanding mathematics tournament combining individual tests, collaborative problem solving and the fast-paced Guts round.
Last verified: 17 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Harvard MIT Maths Tournament at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Open now
Eligibility
High school students worldwide
Age range / Year group
Under 21
Location / Region
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost
$80 team; $10 individual
Prize highlight
Top individuals and teams
Entry format
Team or individual
Harvard MIT Maths Tournament summary
HMMT is a challenging mathematics contest with individual tests, a collaborative Team Round and a rapid-fire Guts Round.
November suits strong students working around AMC and AIME level, while February is designed for experienced problem solvers comfortable with olympiad-level questions and rigorous proofs.
It is best suited to students who enjoy timed, non-standard mathematics and can prepare both independently and collaboratively.
What is Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament?
The Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament, commonly known as HMMT, is an advanced mathematics contest featuring individual tests, a Team Round and the signature Guts Round. Competitors solve non-standard problems under tight time limits and combine individual accuracy with team strategy.
The November tournament ranges from mid-AMC to upper-AIME difficulty and uses General and Theme individual tests. February moves from mid-AIME towards olympiad level, with Algebra, Geometry and Combinatorics tests plus a proof-based Team Round.
Why Succeed highlights Harvard MIT Maths Tournament
The two-tournament structure lets applicants choose a difficulty level aligned with their current mathematical maturity.
Individual, team and Guts rounds test distinct combinations of accuracy, proof, speed and collaboration.
The official archive provides representative past papers for realistic preparation and self-assessment.
February's strongest performers may progress to the four-hour HMMT Invitational Competition.
Optional social and higher-mathematics education events broaden the experience beyond the tests.
Who is Harvard MIT Maths Tournament for?
Best for
Confident mathematics students who enjoy unfamiliar problems, timed tests and serious team competition. November offers a more accessible route, while February suits experienced olympiad problem solvers.
Not ideal if
You prefer coursework-style assessment, need guaranteed admission or are not ready to prepare for demanding short-answer and collaborative rounds.
Is Harvard MIT Maths Tournament worth it?
For a student who genuinely enjoys competitive mathematics, HMMT offers an unusually varied test of individual technique, team strategy and performance under pressure. Its archive and clear difficulty split also make preparation more focused than for a loosely defined contest.
The main limitation is uncertainty: admission is lottery-based, and participation alone does not influence Harvard or MIT admissions. Travel planning and serious preparation should therefore be weighed against the possibility that an application is not selected.
How much preparation does Harvard MIT Maths Tournament need?
Effort level
High.
Best started
Several months before tournament day, after choosing the appropriate November or February level.
Main challenge
Solving unfamiliar problems accurately while managing strict time limits.
Typical preparation
Attempt the recommended archive papers under official time limits.
Review errors by topic and distinguish knowledge gaps from tactical mistakes.
For February, practise writing complete proofs that teammates can check quickly.
Rehearse team roles, answer handoffs and pacing for the Guts Round.
Useful if
You already practise AMC, AIME, olympiad or comparable non-standard mathematics.
What do students do on Harvard MIT Maths Tournament?
Competitors complete timed individual mathematics tests before working with teammates on a collaborative round and the fast-moving Guts Round. The exact individual subjects and Team Round format depend on the chosen tournament.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Complete two November individual tests or three February subject tests, each lasting 50 minutes.
- 2
Work with the full team on a 60-minute, 10-problem Team Round.
- 3
Send a runner between the team and problem station during the 80-minute Guts Round.
- 4
Track immediate Guts Round scoring while deciding when to submit each problem set.
Harvard MIT Maths Tournament dates and deadlines
Past
Registration deadline
20 September 2026
Applies to both tournaments and financial aid applications.
November aid confirmation
3 October 2026
Required to retain awarded financial aid.
November confirmation
10 October 2026
General acceptance confirmation.
November tournament
7 November 2026
Testing at Harvard.
February aid confirmation
14 November 2026
Required to retain awarded financial aid.
February confirmation
9 January 2027
General acceptance confirmation.
February tournament
13 February 2027
Testing at MIT.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration opens | 2 August 2026 | Local | Past | |
Registration deadline | 20 September 2026 | Local | Upcoming | Save deadline |
November aid confirmation | 3 October 2026 | Local | Upcoming | |
November confirmation | 10 October 2026 | Local | Upcoming | |
November tournament | 7 November 2026 | Local | Upcoming | |
February aid confirmation | 14 November 2026 | Local | Upcoming | |
February confirmation | 9 January 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
February tournament | 13 February 2027 | Local | Upcoming |
Eligibility and requirements
High school students from any country
Under 21 on the participation date
Recently enrolled in full-time primary or secondary education
Home-schooled students working towards a high-school credential
One organization per student each season
One HMMT tournament per student each season
Teams meeting school, distance or approved regional rules
Adult chaperone for every team or individual
How much does Harvard MIT Maths Tournament cost?
Registration fee
$80 team; $10 individual — Paid at check-in by cash or check.
Potential funding / awards
- Financial aid: Need-based — May provide hotel rooms and waive registration fees.
- Travel support: Generally not covered
How to enter Harvard MIT Maths Tournament
- 1
Ask a responsible adult to create or verify an Adult coach account.
- 2
Create and verify a Student competitor account for each participating student.
- 3
Have the coach register the school, club, group or individual organization.
- 4
Choose November, February or both and submit the relevant applications.
- 5
Invite students by HMMT username and have them accept the organization invitation.
- 6
Submit a separate financial aid application if support is needed.
- 7
If selected, complete the roster, confirmation and waiver requirements.
Save this competition in Succeed, keep the deadline visible, and track your progress before you submit.
Start your entry checklistSubmission requirements
Tournament applications are completed online by a responsible adult coach on behalf of teams and individual competitors.
Verified Adult coach account
Verified Student competitor accounts
Separate application for each intended tournament
Organization and team details
Roster meeting tournament size rules
Compliance with geographic eligibility rules
Separate financial aid form when needed
Prizes and recognition
Individual awards
Prizes go to the top ten overall and top ten on each individual test.
Team Round awards
The five highest-scoring teams receive prizes.
Guts Round awards
The five highest-scoring teams receive prizes.
Sweepstakes winners
The top ten teams overall are named Sweepstakes winners.
What this may help with
Demonstrating sustained engagement with advanced problem solving and teamwork.
What it does not guarantee
Admission to Harvard, MIT or another university.
Judging criteria
- 800 points — Normalised Individual Total
- 400 points — Normalised Guts Round score
- 400 points — Normalised Team Round score
- 1,600 points — Maximum Sweepstakes score
- Partial marks — February proof-based Team Round only
- Post-weighted scoring — February individual problems
How to stand out
- Choose November or February by testing yourself honestly on the recommended archive papers.
- Build a reliable toolkit for algebra, geometry, combinatorics and number theory rather than memorising isolated tricks.
- Write solutions clearly enough that teammates can verify the reasoning under pressure.
- Assign team roles before practising the Team and Guts rounds under official time limits.
- During Guts practice, balance rapid submission against the cost of avoidable errors.
- Review every missed problem and record the decisive idea you failed to spot.
Harvard MIT Maths Tournament FAQs
November ranges from mid-AMC to upper-AIME difficulty, with General and Theme individual tests and a short-answer Team Round. February ranges from mid-AIME to olympiad level, with specialised subject tests and a proof-based Team Round.
Yes. International students follow the same registration process as domestic students.
Yes. You may apply as an individual and HMMT can form a team on tournament day, but teams made from individual applicants cannot receive team prizes.
Places are generally allocated through a uniformly random lottery because capacity is limited. A stated exception applies to qualifying top-30 February teams returning for the following February tournament.
No. Each student may participate in only one of the November or February tournaments during a season.
No. Calculators, books, notes, drawing aids and communication devices are prohibited during testing.
Participation alone has no effect on admission. HMMT is not affiliated with either university's admissions office and does not provide admissions advice.
Need-based support may provide hotel rooms for Friday and Saturday nights and waive the registration fee. Travel is generally not covered.
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Save this competition in Succeed to compare it with other essay prizes, deadlines and entry formats in one place.
Compare with other competitionsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Testing Information | HMMT
- Travel and Accommodations | HMMT
- Financial Aid | HMMT
- FAQ | HMMT
- Registration | HMMT
- Deadlines | HMMT
- Registration Information | HMMT
- Tournament Information | HMMT
- November vs. February | HMMT
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 17 Aug 2026)
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Fees verified
Formats compared
Scoring reviewed
Financial aid checked
Venue details confirmed
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