## WOOT Math Jam

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Art of Problem Solving instructors discuss WOOT (Worldwide Online Olympiad Training), our 7-month training program that brings together many of the best students from around the world to learn Olympiad problem solving skills.

#### Facilitator: Palmer Mebane

MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:28:35
WOOT MATH JAM
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:28:39
Welcome to today's WOOT Math Jam!
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:28:45
Before we get started I would like to take a brief moment to explain our virtual classroom to those who have not previously participated in a Math Jam or one of our online classes.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:28:52
As many of you know, this classroom is moderated, meaning that participants can type into the classroom, but only the moderators can choose a comment to drop into the classroom. This helps keep the session organized and on track. Also, only moderators can enter into private chats with other people in the classroom.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:29:05
Today we're here to answer questions that you may have about WOOT! (There won't be any math today.)
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:29:14
We'll let you know when to start asking questions. First, we'll go through some WOOT basics before starting the Q&A.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:29:22
WOOT stands for Worldwide Online Olympiad Training.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:29:26
Plus, it's fun to say... "Woot!"
mathboy282 2019-08-01 19:29:37
woot!
cj13609517288 2019-08-01 19:29:37
WOOT!
mathfan2020 2019-08-01 19:29:37
woot
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 19:29:37
woot woot
Snowrabbit925 2019-08-01 19:29:37
WOOT!!!
CoolGuy799 2019-08-01 19:29:43
woot
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:29:43
WOOT is an online training program for students who are preparing for the International Mathematical Olympiad, a national math olympiad like the USA(J)MO, or other major national high school competitions like the AIME. WOOT 2019-20 will run from September 2019 to April 2020.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:29:54
WOOT is sponsored by D.E. Shaw group, Two Sigma Investments, Jane Street Capital, Citadel and IMC Trading:
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:29:57
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:30:10
Why WOOT?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:30:18
Most students have little or no Olympiad-level experience or instruction before they take a National Olympiad. WOOT remedies this problem by offering test-taking and solution-writing practice with feedback, classes with past Olympiad winners, and collaboration with the some of the top high school math students in the world.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:30:26
Specifically, WOOT will include the following activities:
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:30:35
(1) 16 online lectures each lasting 2 hours. Each class will be offered three times to alleviate time conflicts: Mondays 7:30-9:30 PM ET (4:30-6:30 PM PT), Thursdays 9-11 PM ET (6-8 PM PT), and Fridays 7:30-9:30 PM ET (4:30-6:30 PM PT). Note to students in Asia: The Friday night time is Saturday morning in your time zone!
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:30:38
Students may attend whichever session they choose (or multiple sessions in the same week), and may switch sessions from week to week without notifying us.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:30:59
(2) At least 8 handouts that will contain articles and practice problems, which will help students prepare for the lectures.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:31:04
(3) 3 Practice AIME-style tests and 8 Practice Olympiad-style tests (4 graded, 4 discussed in the classroom).
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:31:11
(4) Detailed feedback on student work on the 4 graded Practice Olympiads.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:31:15
(5) WOOT message board for discussing handouts, lectures, post-lecture problem lists, past WOOT tests, and any other problems you want to share with your peers.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:31:21
(6) 24-hour online classroom access for WOOT participants to collaborate.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:31:25
The 2019-20 schedule can be found here:
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:31:33
Numerous International Math Olympiad participants and USA Mathematical Olympiad winners (including many current Art of Problem Solving instructors) will be WOOT instructors.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:31:44
WOOT is ideal for students preparing for a National Olympiad such as the USA Mathematical Olympiad. Due to generous sponsorship from D. E. Shaw group, Two Sigma Investments LLC, Jane Street Capital, Citadel, and IMC Trading, 2019 Math Olympiad Summer Program participants are invited to join WOOT for free. Therefore, all participants in WOOT will have the opportunity to train with the top high school students in the United States.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:32:18
The tuition for WOOT is \$795, but this will increase to \$945 after August 15, so make sure to sign up before then if you want to take advantage of this discount.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:32:22
Here is the link for the WOOT page:
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:32:25
http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/school/woot
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:32:30
Before we get rolling with the Q&A, we'll address some common questions.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:32:33
How do I know if I'm ready for WOOT?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:32:38
If you're preparing for your country's national high school olympiad, then you are probably ready for WOOT. For students who have experience with the American Invitational Math Exam (AIME), if you consistently score 5 or above, then you are probably ready for WOOT. If you are just getting started with MATHCOUNTS or AMC 10/12, then you should consider some of our other courses. You can read more about our other courses at http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/school/catalog.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:32:51
Is there homework?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:32:54
Aside from the practice tests, there isn't any "homework" that gets turned in, but there are many sources of practice problems. We have a "Problem of the Day" that gives students an ongoing flow of problems. There are 8 or 10 articles with practice problems, and there are message board problems that follow each class session. So, the message board problems are roughly bi-weekly and the articles are roughly every three weeks or so.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:33:06
How much time does WOOT take up each week?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:33:09
There's a fair amount of flexibility in how you can approach WOOT. You should expect to spend 0-10 hours each week, where you'll have some freedom to choose to spend a little time on WOOT if you're jammed on schoolwork, then come back to the material later. For example, you can choose to work through the articles and the message board problems whenever you like. The only items with a short deadline are the 4 olympiads that we grade.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:33:21
How do the Practice Olympiads work?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:33:26
Each Practice Olympiad has three levels, ranging from beginner to National Olympiad/IMO difficulty. Students can switch levels from one Practice Olympiad to the next. (Enrolled students will have a sample olympiad at the start of the course to help them gauge difficulty.) Students have 3 hours to take each test. Students turn in their work by uploading onto our website using a button in the classes page, by emailing to a specified address, or by faxing. We will then provide feedback on student work online. We will have an orientation session at the start of WOOT with many more details.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:33:44
(Oh, actually, ignore that faxing bit. We don't take faxes anymore. Does anyone even have those things these days?)
RJNB 2019-08-01 19:34:02
i do
Ilikeapos 2019-08-01 19:34:02
Yes
Green4Applez 2019-08-01 19:34:02
i do!
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:34:11
I was wrong.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:34:14
Are solutions provided to all the problems?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:34:17
Solutions are provided to all the message board problems, the handout problems, and the practice tests.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:34:22
Is there a required textbook?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:34:25
No, there is not a required textbook. There is typically a lot of discussion on the course message board about which textbooks are good.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:34:32
How many students are in the course?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:34:35
We typically have a few hundred students in the course. This is why we offer each class multiple times. Also, each of those times typically have multiple sections to which students are allocated randomly. The content of all the classes on a given week is essentially the same from section to section, and students will have access to class transcripts of all sections.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:34:41
Do I have to attend the same class time every week, or can I switch from week to week?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:34:46
You can change which class you attend from week to week. You also don't have to attend every class in case you're really busy one week and intend to just read the transcript later. You can do either of these freely without having to let us know about it.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:34:58
Is this year's WOOT the same as last year?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:35:01
No. The topics and content of WOOT rotate on a three-year schedule. So, the 2019-20 WOOT has a lot of overlap with the 2016-17 WOOT, but there is almost no overlap with 2018-19 WOOT. (We have a couple articles we post every year, but don't count those among the number of articles we promise.) Many students take WOOT 2 or 3 years in a row.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:35:10
At this point I'll open the discussion for questions.
mathgirl199 2019-08-01 19:37:20
MellowMelon okay so would you say the content of WOOT gets harder after the passing of each year?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:37:21
Since we're a contest prep program, the answer to this sort of question depends on the trends contests like the IMO/USAMO/AIME take more than our own desires. We do try to bump up the program's difficulty up a tiny amount each year to match the difficulty creep on those contests (which we think is quite real), but I wouldn't say the program gets that much harder each year.
bever209 2019-08-01 19:37:31
is there a required age limit?
Nope - anyone can take it!
caroline2023 2019-08-01 19:38:06
Okay, so if the teacher is currently explaining something and I have a question, then I ask and by the time I've read the assistant's answer the teacher has moved on and I missed something, what do I do?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:38:06
That's a tough one. If it's been a while, perhaps wait for the next problem. Otherwise, read what you missed and try to catch up!
bankableleaf298 2019-08-01 19:38:31
how often do you take a practice olympiad?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:38:32
We average about one practice olympiad a month, although a few months like September and January don't have any, so sometimes there's several spaced two weeks apart. Full details or on the schedule page: https://artofproblemsolving.com/school/woot/schedule
TRex_1 2019-08-01 19:38:53
I'm also interested in taking ChemWOOT. Would it be unreasonable to take both WOOT and ChemWOOT this year?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:38:53
We have had students do that before. As long as you are prepared for a fair amount of work, it can go fine.
monok 2019-08-01 19:39:21
Will it help me at all with amc 12 in getting 130+
devenware 2019-08-01 19:39:22
Our goal isn't to help with the AMC 12. Although you might improve a bit since you're improving your problem solving skills, I wouldn't take this course for AMC prep.
Ilikeapos 2019-08-01 19:39:30
Are there example handouts that we can get to get a feel of how WOOT is like?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:39:31
We don't have sample handouts available publicly, but you can get an idea of the problems at least from the Syllabus linked to at the top right of the WOOT page: https://artofproblemsolving.com/school/woot
targetmath 2019-08-01 19:39:44
will there be a transcript of this?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:39:44
Yes, you'll be able to find a transcript here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/school/mathjams-transcripts
mathgirl199 2019-08-01 19:39:57
Are there any financial aid programs for students who require it?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:39:57
There is no financial aid available.
emxia18 2019-08-01 19:40:44
Who will be teaching/giving the lectures?
There will be several different instructors since we'll have multiple class sessions per week. You can take a look at our instructors here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/school/how-school-works/instructors
smartninja2000 2019-08-01 19:40:51
If I have no precalculus knowledge, is it wise to take WOOT?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:40:52
Yes, it should be okay to do WOOT without precalculus mastery. A lot of precalculus topics like matrices just don't show up on olympiads. However, you will want to be comfortable with topics on the AIME, such as trigonometry, and occasionally we might do things like vectors in geometry where you'll have some catch up to do. (Our material will try to cover the basics in those cases.)
cj13609517288 2019-08-01 19:41:23
so I only got to AIME once, scoring about 5. is the course gonna be too hard?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:41:24
It very well might be. We generally expect students to be able to score about an 8 on the AIME to take WOOT. I'd recommend doing a few practice exams to get a feel for it. Alternatively, if you feel comfortable with the material in our Intermediate Series of classes, you should be ready for the class.
duck_master 2019-08-01 19:41:41
Is WOOT a backronym?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:41:42
The naming of WOOT actually predates me so I am not sure. I'm guessing it's a little of both.
bissue 2019-08-01 19:41:48
If I haven't taken the AIME yet, how would I know if I'm ready for this course?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:41:48
You should check out our Intermediate Series of classes. If you know that material well already, you should be ready for WOOT.
mathfan2020 2019-08-01 19:41:58
Will our questions be posted on the classroom
devenware 2019-08-01 19:41:59
Looks like it!
caroline2023 2019-08-01 19:42:27
Is it okay to upload pictures of my solutions to the Practice Olympiads, then email it?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:42:27
You shouldn't email us Practice Olympiad solutions. However, it is totally fine to take pictures and upload them as your submission.
TRex_1 2019-08-01 19:42:58
Do you have a diagnostic test?
No, but there is a schedule of topics listed on the WOOT page, and your AIME scores are a fairly good indicator of readiness for WOOT
nawakre 2019-08-01 19:43:16
My goal for this year is to make USAJMO, I am willing to dedicate a huge chunk of time studying math, however I narrowly missed AIME last year, is WOOT a good fit for me?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:43:17
If you are able to get decent performances when you take AIMEs for practices (5+ or so), then WOOT should be useful. WOOT should help bring up the AMC scores that little bit that's needed even if it's not focused on AMCs.
haha0201 2019-08-01 19:43:43
How often are practice tests given?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:43:44
You can find out when the practice tests will be from the schedule page:
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 19:43:54
Does WOOT require mastery of all Intermediate courses?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:43:54
We expect you to be pretty familiar with the Intermediate Series material. You probably don't need to know all of Precalculus, but a lot of the other classes will be expected.
InfaRed 2019-08-01 19:44:07
Are the practice Olympiads taken under moderation or...?
Some of the practice olympiads will be graded, so you'll get personalized feedback on them after turning them in. For other practice tests, there will be special class sessions where the whole class will go over the problems together.
caroline2023 2019-08-01 19:44:09
devenware 2019-08-01 19:44:10
bankableleaf314 2019-08-01 19:44:28
Is the teaching style similar to the rest of the other AoPS classes?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:44:28
Yep. The class sessions run just like our other courses.
MichaelV 2019-08-01 19:44:46
Should I take WOOT if I'm a rising senior?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:44:46
If you want to do fun math and work on your problem solving, then definitely.
AlexTayler 2019-08-01 19:45:30
Is it possible to view this jam session after it ends. If so, how?
Yep! You can find the transcripts of all our Math Jams here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/school/mathjams-transcripts.
Green4Applez 2019-08-01 19:45:36
Will the class be available after it ends or do we need to save everything?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:45:36
You will have access to the class for about a month after it ends. If you want to review the materials after that, you should save them to your computer.
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 19:45:56
Are we recommended to go to all three class sessions of a week?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:45:56
Definitely not. They all cover the same material, so you're generally good to go with just one.
AlexTayler 2019-08-01 19:46:23
If woot is meant to be taken over a three year period, does that mean taking it for one year does not provide the full range of topics needed to do well on these tests?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:46:24
I wouldn't say WOOT is meant to be taken over a three year period; even a single year of topics will help a lot. And even after taking all three years, there are too many olympiad topics for us to have covered every single one that might show up on a contest. But you'll have seen all the most common ones.
FunTimeMath 2019-08-01 19:46:32
devenware 2019-08-01 19:46:33
Generally about 500 students in total.
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 19:46:56
Do materials from WOOT also help with AIME?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:46:56
Yes, they do. However, our primary focus will be on Olympiad materials.
mathgirl199 2019-08-01 19:47:27
How may I contact the instructor if I have questions about content, etc.?
If you have questions while enrolled in the class, you could send a private message to the instructor. If you have questions about whether the class is right for you, there is a link on the WOOT page to e-mail AoPS about it.
bever209 2019-08-01 19:47:32
is there a practice test?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:47:32
There are many practice tests! 8 Practice Olympiads and 3 practice AIMEs.
monok 2019-08-01 19:47:41
Would volume 2 of the basics book be a good preparation to take the WOOT class
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:47:42
Assuming you mean AoPS Volume 2, using it as a pre-WOOT book to study sounds about the right level. Certainly not required though.
molocyxu 2019-08-01 19:48:00
What are the different WOOT subjects?
There is a schedule of classes and a syllabus with that information on the WOOT homepage.
cj13609517288 2019-08-01 19:48:08
How hard is WOOT in terms of AIME?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:48:08
Generally, WOOT lectures will span difficulties from mid AIME level to difficult Olympiad problems.
Mauflash7 2019-08-01 19:48:17
What kind of math will be taught?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:48:18
You can see the topics we'll cover on the Syllabus link at the top right of this page: https://artofproblemsolving.com/school/woot/schedule
bankableleaf314 2019-08-01 19:49:04
When are the classes?
You can see more details using the schedule, but it runs from the first week of September until the second week of April, with classes on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
bankableleaf314 2019-08-01 19:49:19
Do you think it is okay to take these classes if you aren't training for some form of math olympiad?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:49:20
Yeah definitely. You're still learning a lot of math, and challenging yourself with problem solving.
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 19:49:32
Should I take WOOT if I have not taken Calculus yet?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:49:32
You do not need calculus for WOOT.
nawakre 2019-08-01 19:49:48
Is WOOT only for people who have qualified for AIME, or if I think I'm eligible, can I join although I didn't qualify for AIME?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:49:48
You can take it as long as you're ready for the math! There are no specific requirements.
RJNB 2019-08-01 19:49:56
does WOOT get practice questions from every math olymiad?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:49:57
WOOT's material comes from several sources including various national and international olympiads and even a few originals from our staff. I'm sure there are some math olympiads we haven't heard of which we don't have any material from, though.
Maxninga938 2019-08-01 19:50:30
how many years have you been doing WOOt
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:50:31
WOOT is on its 14th or 15th year, I think.
duck_master 2019-08-01 19:50:33
is there a "is this a good fit for you?" test for this program?
There's no diagnostic test, but if you score 5 or higher on the AIME and are preparing for national- or international-level contests, then you are probably ready for it.
smartninja2000 2019-08-01 19:51:08
If I am not ready for WOOT at this stage, what is better
smartninja2000 2019-08-01 19:51:08
a)Working on Intermediate Series
smartninja2000 2019-08-01 19:51:08
b) Working on practice AIMEs
devenware 2019-08-01 19:51:09
I'd personally recommend working through the Intermediate Series to start. You learn a lot more math that way. However, if you're goal is specifically to improve your AIME score, doing practice exams can't be a bad way to go.
ojns 2019-08-01 19:51:36
what if i have bad handwriting?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:51:37
cat2019 2019-08-01 19:51:40
so if there is homework is it mandatory?
Strictly speaking, I suppose not, but doing the practice tests is one of the best ways to get better at problem solving. The more work you do outside of the class sessions, the better!
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 19:52:59
Is the material covered in WOOT enough to win the USAJMO?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:53:00
No, and any program which tells you it covers enough to guarantee a performance on an olympiad is lying to you. Any olympiad can decide to pop an unusually creative question that no one feels especially ready for. But we will do our best to teach you how to think when you encounter those sorts of problems.
bankableleaf298 2019-08-01 19:53:29
will you be discussing ChemWOOT?
This Math Jam is only for the regular math WOOT, but there will be a ChemWOOT Jam on August 19. The full list of upcoming math jams can be found here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/school/mathjams.
nawakre 2019-08-01 19:53:53
Is it okay to do an AIME course and a WOOT course at the same time?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:53:54
We've definitely had people do that. As long as you're prepared for the math in the WOOT class it should be fine.
ojns 2019-08-01 19:54:21
how close are the difficulties between the practice tests and the actual test?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:54:22
On our practice olympiads, the intermediate level we have is a bit easier than the USAJMO, and the advanced level is a bit easier than the USAMO. Part of that is because we have a 3 hour time limit for the same number of problems instead of the USA(J)MO's 4.5 hour limit.
mathgirl199 2019-08-01 19:54:25
Okay, will there be any team projects with other students? how may I interact or collaborate with other students? Are posts moderated like this as well?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:54:25
There are no team projects that we specifically assign. However, our WOOT students do collaborate very frequently on the course message board.
Bacon2387 2019-08-01 19:55:32
Around how many students take the course every year?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:55:32
mathfan2020 2019-08-01 19:55:51
Are there any restricitions for who can take the class?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:55:52
There are no specific restrictions. As long as you're ready for the math, you can join!
bankableleaf314 2019-08-01 19:56:04
Around how much practice do you receive in each class?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:56:04
The classes typically cover 8-12 problems in the topic, and in general each problem is olympiad-level. Given how meaty olympiad problems are, that's quite a bit of practice. We usually reserve teaching the theory of the topic to pre-class handouts.
bankableleaf298 2019-08-01 19:56:08
will this course use alcumus?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:56:08
Nope, there is no Alcumus for WOOT.
curie_ous9 2019-08-01 19:56:26
Would this course be good for other olympiad style contests other than AIME?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:56:27
Yes, definitely. This course will prepare you for all sorts of math olympiads.
mathgirl199 2019-08-01 19:56:37
If I miss a class session, view the transcript, and is still confused, what should I do?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 19:56:38
There's other resources available to all WOOTers, including the Message Board and the WOOT classroom. If you post questions you have on the Message Board (which you can do anonymously!), both our instructors and your fellow classmates can help you out. The WOOT classroom is open 24 hours a day (except when class is in session), and you can use this to work with your fellow classmates on problems.
wertguk 2019-08-01 19:56:51
are the feedback for the olympiads detailed or just vague statements
As with any AoPS class - and especially for WOOT - our graders will look through your solutions in detail and give personalized feedback to help you improve.
will3145 2019-08-01 19:57:42
How does the "problem of the day work"
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:57:43
On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week, a problem will be posted to the WOOT message board as a topic, and you and your fellow students can post your work and solutions on the problem. These problems are not tied to the current WOOT topics and can cover any topic or difficulty level. You can also see a list of all the ones so far on a "Problem of the Day" tab on the class page.
curie_ous9 2019-08-01 19:57:50
How does the difficulty of WOOT compare to the difficulty of awesome math level 2 classes?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:57:51
WOOT is harder than awesome math level 2.
XxHalo711 2019-08-01 19:58:09
When you say Olympiad, what do you mean
"Olympiad" generally refers to contests at the national and international levels.
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 19:58:14
Why is WOOT more expensive than almost every other AoPS class?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 19:58:15
WOOT is a lot longer than our other AoPS classes! A lot of our classes run for just 12 or 16 weeks, but WOOT runs for over 7 months.
ItsAmeYushi 2019-08-01 19:58:53
Do WOOT classrooms function similar to other classrooms on AoPS?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 19:58:54
Yep! If you've taken an AoPS class before, the classrooms work in exactly the same way.
nawakre 2019-08-01 19:58:56
If I don't think I will be able to score 5+ on the AIME now, but I will in the future, (before the AIME contest) is WOOT a good fit for me?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:58:57
There will be a lot of WOOT content covered before the AIME this year, so it might be a bit early. But if you're diligent about going back to work on that material after its release, it may be worth it to sign up so that you'll have it available.
zhoubotong 2019-08-01 19:59:03
is the class every week offer via video?
The class is taught via text and images, as with other AoPS classes.
skyscraper 2019-08-01 19:59:10
I could do pretty decent on AIME practice tests(6-8 usually) but I have almost never practiced any Olympiad-level problems, is WOOT still beneficial for me?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 19:59:15
You are WOOT's main target audience.
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 19:59:26
I am probably ready for WOOT in everything other than Geometry; however, my Geometry skills are extremely weak compared to my other subject areas (I can't solve many AIME geometry problems past around #5). Should I still take WOOT even though I know that I would struggle significantly within a certain subject?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:59:27
I think it would be fine for you to take WOOT. However, you should be prepared for the geometry classes to be difficult.
bankableleaf314 2019-08-01 19:59:49
How much people will there be on average in each class session?
devenware 2019-08-01 19:59:50
There are probably around 50 students in a class session.
Catoptrics 2019-08-01 20:00:47
Are there any prerequisites for participating in WOOT?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:00:48
There are no hard prerequisites, but we do recommend being able to score 5+ on AIME (or for non-US, being at the point where you are preparing for your country's national olympiad). If this is a struggle for you, a lot of WOOT might be too hard.
RJNB 2019-08-01 20:00:50
Do I have to very well for the AMC and the AIME to be prepared for this class?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:00:51
You don't need to have taken the AMC or the AIME to be prepared for WOOT - students outside the US, for example, might not take these tests at all! On the other hand, we do recommend that you're able to consistently score a 5 or above on the AIME to get a lot out of this class.
cj13609517288 2019-08-01 20:01:01
Is AOPS volume 2 "and beyond" good for raising my skills for the WOOT?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:01:01
It's definitely good material! I would say there is some material in that book you don't need, and some material you might want that's not in the book though! As a general rule of thumb, if you know the material from our Intermediate Series, you should be good to go!
wwilliamtang 2019-08-01 20:01:44
If i find that woot is not the right fit for me, what is the latest time that I can drop out? will there be a refund, if I do by a certain time?
As long as you drop WOOT before the end of September, you will get a full refund.
bankableleaf298 2019-08-01 20:02:00
would olympiad geometry be coverd in WOOT or is it only for the olympiad geometry classes
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:02:01
We cover a lot of geometry topics in WOOT. Our olympiad geometry class is a bit harder and more in depth than WOOT's geometry materials, but only by a slim margin.
bever209 2019-08-01 20:02:16
What level of math (like geometry or algebra 2) should we know by now if we were gonna take this?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:02:18
You should be familiar with the material covered in our Intermediate series of books. Note that the level of challenge posed in these books goes far beyond that of a standard algebra/geometry class you'll see in school!
mathfan2020 2019-08-01 20:02:28
how many questions can we ask today?
A lot.
As many as we have time for.
frog_man 2019-08-01 20:02:46
what does woot stand for?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:02:47
wertguk 2019-08-01 20:03:01
Is there any way to get feedback on the quality of your proofs other than the graded practice olympiads?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:03:02
The graded practice olympiads are the main way. However, if you post any fully written solutions to problems on the message board (problem sets, problems of the day, etc.), other WOOT assistants or students often provide helpful feedback on your work.
cj13609517288 2019-08-01 20:04:02
side question: is calculus allowed in the solution of USA(J)MO?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:04:03
Yes. Technically any topic is allowed. But topics like Calculus that are outside of the olympiad canon are usually scrutinized more closely and graded more harshly, so you should avoid those solutions if possible. We'll talk about these mechanics in the class.
InfaRed 2019-08-01 20:04:10
How necessary is it to have a background in competition math?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:04:10
It's not necessary, although it is helpful! I didn't actually have a background in competition math before starting WOOT myself.
zhoubotong 2019-08-01 20:04:46
the classes will be presented through video? and teacher/student communicate via microphone?
The classes will be through text and images, just like this Math Jam.
ItsAmeYushi 2019-08-01 20:04:54
Do we have to stay the whole 2 hours for each class if we're busy?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:04:55
If it doesn't work with your schedule, it's not a requirement that you come to class (though we highly recommend it, since you can ask questions and interact with your peers and instructors in real time). If you miss part or all of a class, we make all the transcripts available to everyone, and you can go back and review these in your own time.
Lol_man000 2019-08-01 20:05:03
how hard are the practice tests compared to the real ones?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:05:03
Our practice AIME's should be about the same difficulty as real ones. Our practice olympiads are broken down into three groups (beginner, intermediate, advanced). The beginner and intermediate exams are easier than the USA(J)MO, while the advanced should be about the same as the AMO.
AS2018 2019-08-01 20:05:21
if I miss class, can I watch a replay or how do I catch up on missed classes?
After each class, the instructor will post a transcript of the lesson for you to review later if you want.
AlexTayler 2019-08-01 20:05:26
After taking the WOOT classes, what’s the best next step to further our preparation?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:05:27
There's not a whole lot of material that's harder than WOOT really, and a lot of it will have to be done on your own. I think your best bet is to do problems from hard sources like the USA TSTs or IMO shortlists. Maybe read some heavily in-depth articles on topics if you find them.
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 20:05:30
Do contents of WOOT overlap with the Olympiad Geometry course?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:05:30
They will cover some of the same material, but you won't see any of the same problems.
bankableleaf298 2019-08-01 20:05:50
would you suggest any pre-WOOT classes
devenware 2019-08-01 20:05:50
I'd personally suggest taking our Intermediate Series of classes first.
XxHalo711 2019-08-01 20:06:17
will WOOT help me on making USAMO
Vasu090 2019-08-01 20:06:17
Is WOOT for USAMO?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:06:18
WOOT should help both with qualifying for the USA(J)MO and doing well on it. There's a bit more focus on the latter, but shoring up your olympiad skills will help with the short answer qualifying tests like the AIME too.
Vasu090 2019-08-01 20:06:19
Is WOOT good for intermediates?
It depends on what you mean by "intermediates". If you have mastered the material in our intermediate classes, then you're probably ready to take WOOT.
Awesome3.14 2019-08-01 20:06:46
is this free?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:06:47
WOOT is not a free program. The registration fee for WOOT is \$795 if you register before August 15th, and \$945 afterwards. (The exception is that MOSP participants are able to register for WOOT for free.)
frog_man 2019-08-01 20:06:56
$$Is \ RAYMOOSE \ teaching \ this \ year?$$
devenware 2019-08-01 20:06:56
I'd be very surprised if he didn't!
mathgirl199 2019-08-01 20:07:04
Will this help with higher level exams like the Putnam?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:07:05
Yes, lots. Several Putnam problems involve high school topics only, and even the calculus or linear algebra problems will draw from a similar pool of tricks and strategies that you'd see in high school.
thunderup 2019-08-01 20:07:48
at what grade do people usually take this class
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:07:50
There are many middle schoolers and high schoolers in WOOT. I'm not sure what the exact distribution is. We don't take data on it.
caroline2023 2019-08-01 20:08:19
Will WOOT be a good fit even if I can't solve any problems on the syllabus but can score around 10 on AIME?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:08:20
Yes. Many of the syllabus problems are ones that WOOT is trying to prepare you to solve, not "Are you ready" problems.
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 20:08:28
How does the difficulty of WOOT compare to the difficulty of awesome math level 3 classes?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:08:28
Awesomemath difficulty varies quite a lot. I would say they are probably pretty similar in difficulty overall.
MathLegend27 2019-08-01 20:08:43
does the handout cover all of the the corresponding class material?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:08:44
In general, the handouts focus on covering the theoretical background of the topic and the class will dive straight into problems.
bankableleaf314 2019-08-01 20:08:47
What if you are having problems with a question?
It's expected that you'll have difficulty with some of the questions - the problems are meant to be hard! When that happens during class, you can always ask it, and the instructor and assistants will be happy to help. If it's outside class, you can ask your question on the message boards and the instructor, TAs, and other students can respond to it there.
pi3141592 2019-08-01 20:09:39
Is WOOT designed for people with absolutely no background in olympiad math?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:09:40
WOOT offers a lot of material aimed at several levels of students, and a lot of it is catered to people with no olympiad experience at all. But even olympiad veterans should be able to learn from it (which is why people take it multiple times).
sapphire1 2019-08-01 20:10:13
is WOOT a course you can take like algebra?
WOOT covers a variety of topics, so it's more in the style of our other contest classes. We will cover each topic (listed on the syllabus) for 1 or 2 weeks, and then move on to a new one after that.
frog_man 2019-08-01 20:10:41
ARE yOU DEVENWARE from aops videos on youtube?? COol
devenware 2019-08-01 20:10:45
That would be me.
frog_man 2019-08-01 20:11:05
Are woot problems from well known sources like the imo shortlist?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:11:06
The problems we use for the practice olympiads include some original ones and some problems from contests we believe with reason that no WOOT students will have familiarity with. The problems in classes and exercises will draw from more well-known sources like USAMOs and IMO shortlists, since those often include historically important problems that made certain techniques popular in the first place.
Muriatic 2019-08-01 20:11:12
will chezbgone be teaching woot
devenware 2019-08-01 20:11:13
He says he doesn't know yet.
smartninja2000 2019-08-01 20:11:30
How long would I spend every week on classes if I took both precalculus and WOOT at the same time, and got the maximum benefit out of both(attempted every problem with full effort, attended both classes, read all handouts etc)?
frog_man 2019-08-01 20:11:30
how much time per week would i spent on woot?
piis3141592653 2019-08-01 20:11:30
How much time will homework take per week?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:11:32
You'd probably be spending 5-7 hours per week to keep up with Precalculus. On the other hand, there's enough material in WOOT (via Challenge Problems, Problem of the Day, and problems that can crop up on the Message Boards) that you can essentially put as much time as you want into this course. Most students spend 0-10 hours per week on this course, but you can easily spend a lot more time than that.
wwilliamtang 2019-08-01 20:11:43
if I find that woot is not the best fit for me, can I drop the class? Also, will there be a refund in the case of such event?
Yes, you can. As long as you notify us by the end of September (about 1 month into class), you will receive a full refund.
caroline2023 2019-08-01 20:12:05
How hard are the introductory level Practice Olympiads?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:12:06
The beginner level practice olympiads are substantially easier than the USAJMO, and perhaps on par with the easier national olympiads out there. Students who are just getting started with olympiad problems should find them a good fit.
frog_man 2019-08-01 20:12:22
why is woot so long?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:12:23
Because even three years of eight months of topics isn't enough to cover all of olympiads.
bankableleaf298 2019-08-01 20:12:36
When does this math jam end
devenware 2019-08-01 20:12:36
When you run out of questions!
Mauflash7 2019-08-01 20:13:30
Will there be a lot of proofs involved and if so, will you teach us what we don't know?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:13:31
There will be many proofs, and there will be many resources to help you read and write them if they're new to you. The handouts in particular will have examples with solutions written in a mock olympiad submission style to give you an example to base off of.
Allen31415 2019-08-01 20:13:57
Can you give us some example WOOT problems?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:13:58
You can find quite a few in the syllabus here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/data/course-docs/syllabi/2019WOOT-syllabus.pdf
frog_man 2019-08-01 20:14:13
5 to 600? isnt 5 way too little?
uwu 2019-08-01 20:14:13
can i do woot if im from egypt
devenware 2019-08-01 20:14:13
I meant 500 to 600.
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:14:14
You can sign up for WOOT from anywhere in the world. On the other hand, attending the live classes might be a challenge for you - classes would start at 1:30 AM (Monday/Friday) or 3:00 AM (Thursday) in your time zone, and go for two hours afterwards. (This doesn't count possible shifts due to Daylight Savings, though.)
BlueFish2007 2019-08-01 20:14:35
How long is each WOOT class session?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:14:36
Two hours! We usually take a five-minute break in the middle of this, though.
monok 2019-08-01 20:14:38
In WOOT would I get to learn what books to use to help me prepare for any Math olympiad
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:14:39
WOOT provides its own instruction and content rather than point out books, but asking about good books to use is a common kind of topic to get discussed on the message board, so we do end up providing that anyway.
zhoubotong 2019-08-01 20:14:40
do we have a final certificate for the class?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:14:40
We can give a certificate of completion at the end of the course if we can verify that you participated throughout the course.
bankableleaf298 2019-08-01 20:15:34
does WOOT only train olympiad skills and problem solving
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:15:35
That's hard to answer since I'm not sure what exactly you're excluding here; problem solving skills are applicable anywhere. WOOT is indeed mostly focused on contest preparation, but it also teaches problem solving skills at an extremely high level, and that should stay with you for life.
bankableleaf298 2019-08-01 20:16:12
on the aops WOOT page says: "Numerous International Math Olympiad participants and USA Mathematical Olympiad winners will be WOOT instructors.

" are there any past examples?
Yep! You can take a look at the list of instructors here, along with there past math experience: https://artofproblemsolving.com/school/woot/instructors.
caroline2023 2019-08-01 20:16:18
Should we try and solve the problems as the teacher is explaining it?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:16:18
Yes, definitely! We won't just be explaining problems! We'll be asking you lots of questions and having you solve the problems as a class.
cj13609517288 2019-08-01 20:16:30
I struggle a lot on 3D geometry; is there anything to help me? (I have Introduction to Geometry already)
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:16:31
The biggest help there is that olympiads don't do 3D geometry even if the AIME still does. WOOT has some little solid geometry coverage for AIME prep, but not much.
Maxninga938 2019-08-01 20:16:44
What is the suggested age to take WOOT
devenware 2019-08-01 20:16:44
Probably high school, but anyone who is prepared for the math can take WOOT.
SD2014 2019-08-01 20:17:15
have usamo winners in the past taken woot
devenware 2019-08-01 20:17:15
Yes, all of the USAMO winners for the past several years have been WOOT alumni.
nikbot05 2019-08-01 20:17:18
Does each year focus on a specific subject more than others?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:17:19
Each year of WOOT has four topics in the four major subjects (algebra, combinatorics, geometry, number theory), so we have balanced coverage of those. Subdisciplines like functional equations might get varying coverage each year though.
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 20:17:42
What do the AIME/USA(J)MO strategy classes actually cover?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:17:43
Test-taking strategies rather than math. How to pace yourself, deal with frustration, what to bring, etc.
Vasu090 2019-08-01 20:17:57
Will I get attention in those hundreds of students?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:17:58
We split our classes into as many as five sections (with somewhere between 30-70 people each), so that we'll be able to pay attention to every student in our classrooms. Our Practice Olympiad Discussion and strategy session classes might be a little larger, though.
bankableleaf314 2019-08-01 20:18:38
Assuming you were an average student, at what grade would you say that I would be ready for WOOT classes?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:18:39
It really varies a lot. I don't think I can give a general answer there. Probably some time in high school. It just depends on your personal math background.
frog_man 2019-08-01 20:18:41
is woot good for an imo bronze medalist aiming to get silver next year?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:18:42
Yes, we have quite a bit of material for jumping to IMO 2/5 level. I'd look to take our advanced practice olympiads each time.
bankableleaf298 2019-08-01 20:19:15
Can you take WOOT, ChemWOOT, and PhysicsWOOT at the same time?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:19:16
We schedule WOOT, ChemWOOT, and PhysicsWOOT to have minimal overlap. Assuming you have no other commitments, you can definitely fit them all into your schedule at the same time. Many students take more than one WOOT class.
Supermathking 2019-08-01 20:20:00
Is the class run the same way every year? Like, are the problems we receive this year the same as the problems we receive next year?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:20:01
The class rotates on a 3 year schedule. So the problems you receive this year are the same as you will receive in 2022-2023.
wertguk 2019-08-01 20:20:24
For the practice problems, about how many would be solvable by a beginner.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:20:25
The practice olympiads have several levels, so you should be able to solve at least one problem at your level even if you're new to olympiad-style problems. The problem sets and handout exercises will be more challenging, but we try to make it so you will be able to solve a couple and will be able to learn from the next several if you're diligent in trying them and studying solutions afterwards.
molocyxu 2019-08-01 20:20:33
When does this Math Jam end?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:20:34
When we run out of questions!
MessingWithMath 2019-08-01 20:20:43
How many people are registered for WOOT on average every year?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:20:43
Last year's WOOT had 589 students. We think around the same number of students (if not slightly more) will register this year.
bankableleaf298 2019-08-01 20:21:01
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:21:02
We post solutions to these tests after it's over and also go over the problems in the classroom for ungraded olympiads. You can also ask for additional help on the message board.
FunTimeMath 2019-08-01 20:21:03
Can I attend multiple of the weeks classes, if I didn’t fully understand the instructions
devenware 2019-08-01 20:21:03
Yeah, you can definitely do that! Don't spoil the answers to other students if you remember, but attending to get another perspective from a different teacher is a great idea!
GoodMorning 2019-08-01 20:21:20
Should we take WOOT after precalculus, or can we take it before we finish precalculus?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:21:20
You can take WOOT without finishing Precalculus.
RJNB 2019-08-01 20:21:27
is WOOT only an AOPS thing?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:21:27
Yes.
ss28112 2019-08-01 20:21:31
How much will WOOT help improve my aime score?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:21:31
Providing exact numbers is impossible, since it depends on your own situation and what effort you put in. But I am confident in saying "a lot".
bever209 2019-08-01 20:22:17
I can't solve all the problems in the syllabus, but I can get 9+ on the AIME. Should I take the course?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:22:18
The syllabus gives examples of problems you'll learn to solve. 9+ on AIME and not being able to solve any of those problems would make you a good fit for WOOT.
Jupiturn236 2019-08-01 20:22:20
How many hours a week should I put into the course?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:22:21
You can put as few or as many hours into the course as you like! Most students put somewhere between 0 and 10 hours per week into WOOT, but WOOT definitely provides enough resources where you can spend far more time on it if you'd like.
XxHalo711 2019-08-01 20:23:09
is there any woot campus like MOP?
ss28112 2019-08-01 20:23:09
I didn't make it to AIME this year, but I've been working hard during the summer and I"m able to solve about 7-10 aime problems on average. Is WOOT right for me?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:23:09
It sounds like WOOT would be perfect for you.
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:23:11
Nope. WOOT is entirely run online - it stands for Worldwide Online Olympiad Training, after all!
cj13609517288 2019-08-01 20:23:34
Should we do AIME problems every week to get enough practice, or is it okay if I only do them within 3 months of the actual competition?(I still practice other math, I am just asking about real AIME problems from the past)
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:23:35
That can be up to personal preference. As long as you don't do all your prep the week before and burn yourself out, at least. Obviously sustained preparation throughout the year will give you a lot more opportunity to get practice in though!
SD2014 2019-08-01 20:23:57
how many people usually take woot
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:23:58
We had 589 students enrolled last year. We'll probably have about the same number this year.
minikakapo 2019-08-01 20:24:02
What will we be doing on the orientation day?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:24:03
Something very similar to this session, actually, with more focus on the procedures and schedule of WOOT rather than who the course is for.
frog_man 2019-08-01 20:24:38
will i get a woot tshirt
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:24:39
If you enroll in WOOT, you'll get a shirt! These are usually mailed around the middle of the school year.
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 20:24:55
Shouldn't this class be called "math WOOT" now after the other WOOTs came out?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:24:56
That's a question we're legitimately grappling with here. When do we change it to math WOOT!?
wertguk 2019-08-01 20:25:04
are the practice/homework problems original or pulled from other sources (like competitions)
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:25:05
Many are pulled from real competitions (with occasional WOOT-original problems in there), but in the case of the practice tests, we're confident you won't recognize where they're from.
Sjiang1218 2019-08-01 20:25:09
Do we need to know calculus to take WOOT?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:25:09
You don't need any calculus for WOOT.
duck_master 2019-08-01 20:25:25
section-splitting is random?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:25:25
devenware 2019-08-01 20:25:29
user id*
skyscraper 2019-08-01 20:25:45
If schoolwork and other activities/extracurriculars take up my time for doing math one week, is it possible for me to review the WOOT material I might've missed at least one week later?
Sure, you can always catch up with the transcript from the previous class and by asking questions on the message boards. Also, with a couple exceptions, WOOT classes are held every other week, so you have quite a bit of time in between to practice.
caroline2023 2019-08-01 20:26:07
How much will WOOt help with contests like USAMTS, ARML, HMMT, etc?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:26:08
WOOT covers a lot of AIME-level material even if it's focused on olympiad-style questions, so it should help with all of those (USAMTS especially since it's the same style of problem).
Sjiang1218 2019-08-01 20:26:38
Can we take WOOT if we took it before?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:26:39
Vasu090 2019-08-01 20:26:53
devenware 2019-08-01 20:26:53
I'll do my best!
ss28112 2019-08-01 20:27:01
Is there a limited number of spots in WOOT?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:27:01
Nope.
BlueFish2007 2019-08-01 20:27:14
Which exams should I take to prepare myself for WOOT?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:27:16
It's fine to keep doing what you've usually been doing. Going the other direction, if that includes things around the level of the AIME or USAJMO, then WOOT is a good fit.
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 20:27:19
Do the handouts also rotate in cycles of 3 years?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:27:19
Yes, all the material rotates on a 3 year cycle.
Supermathking 2019-08-01 20:27:36
Are ChemWOOT and PhysicsWOOT helpful for school chemistry and physics?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:27:36
I think they are generally a bit beyond what you'll see in school.
minikakapo 2019-08-01 20:28:01
Are the majority of the questions writing problems?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:28:01
All the questions are writing problems (except the practice AIMEs). You're expected to come up with full solutions for everything in WOOT.
Professor-Mom 2019-08-01 20:28:07
I just qualified for AIME this year. Am I readY?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:28:08
I'd recommend taking some AIMEs for practice and making sure you can answer at least 5 questions correctly on average. If you can, then WOOT is likely to help you make the next steps.
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 20:28:39
If I am not 100 percent confident of qualifying for USA(J)MO, should I still take WOOT?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:28:40
Yes, you can/should still take WOOT even if you're not confident you can qualify for JMO/AMO. We think that anyone who can get a 5 on the AIME can get something out of WOOT, but the problems you'll encounter here don't really have an upper bound in terms of difficulty.
caroline2023 2019-08-01 20:29:00
Wait if you get a shirt, do you have to provide an address
devenware 2019-08-01 20:29:00
You have to provide an address to get a shirt. However, if you don't want to provide an address, you don't have to get a shirt.
snow_monkey 2019-08-01 20:29:18
do the teachers write from a pre-made script, or do they type everything in real time?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:29:19
It depends. We have a lot of notes in advance, but many of our instructors are known to take an unexpected student idea and run with it, going off the rails completely. And they're usually qualified enough that they end up doing a better job than our prepared notes did when that happens.
bankableleaf314 2019-08-01 20:29:29
There are videos to accompany the WOOT classes, right?
No, there aren't currently any videos as part of WOOT. However, we do provide articles separate from the lessons to help you solidify your understanding of the material.
Photomz 2019-08-01 20:29:41
Will WOOT help with computer science olympiads
devenware 2019-08-01 20:29:42
Not really. It will help you improve your problem solving, but we won't be talking about any of the algorithms or data structures you need to be intimately familiar with to do well on those competitions.
mathfan2020 2019-08-01 20:29:59
Where can you find previous jams
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:30:00
Transcripts of previous Math Jams can be found at https://artofproblemsolving.com/school/mathjams (and the transcript for this Math Jam will be available there later).
bankableleaf314 2019-08-01 20:30:47
What do need to know in order to be prepared for WOOT?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:30:48
The curriculum of our intermediate series is a rough guideline for what you will want to know going in, although it's fine to be rusty on the more in-depth topics. Being able to consistently get around 5 on AIMEs is a better way to gauge whether you have the necessary background, though.
Photomz 2019-08-01 20:31:03
does AoPS plan to offer a computer science based WOOT course anytime soon? (just curious)
bankableleaf314 2019-08-01 20:31:03
I know this sounds stupid, but since you have ChemWoot and things like that, shouldnt you have a WOOt for coding?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:31:03
We're definitely considering it, but we haven't found the right person to write such a class yet. If you know someone, send them our way!
devenware 2019-08-01 20:31:05
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 20:31:37
I heard that WOOT once took a problem from a Student and put it on a practice AIME. Do things like this actually happen?
RandomOm18 2019-08-01 20:31:38
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:31:38
It's more like one of our AIMEs is completely student written and we specifically ask students to send us problems. So this actually happens 15 times a year. If you like writing problems, sign up and send us some when the time comes!
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:31:40
We have handouts for some weeks which you can consider assigned reading. We won't force you to read them before you come to class, but we'll generally assume the knowledge given in the handout at the start of class and use that as a starting point to solve harder problems.
pi3141592 2019-08-01 20:32:15
I can't solve most (50-60%) of the intermediate series post tests, but I was close to the USAJMO cutoff this year (Within 10 points). Would WOOT be a good fit since I wawnt to prep for olympiads?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:32:16
Yes, being that close to the olympiad cutoff makes you a great fit for WOOT. We'll do our best to help you close that gap.
wertguk 2019-08-01 20:32:18
There isn't much stuff on the woot classroom of late and it looks kinda sparse, will it have more stuff once it begins and will it be well organized?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:32:18
The class doesn't start for quite a while. I wouldn't expect much there now! The classroom isn't particularly organized outside of class time though. It's a free chat between students.
bankableleaf314 2019-08-01 20:32:41
Is there anything you guys do like WOOT but offline? (Worldwide Offline Olympiad Training)
devenware 2019-08-01 20:32:41
Unfortunately, no. We don't have any WOOT equivalent at our academies.
Supermathking 2019-08-01 20:32:50
There are three sessions a week for WOOT. Am I allowed to attend any of the three sessions, instead of participating in a fixed weekday?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:32:51
Yes, you're allowed to attend any of the three sessions you want. You can even show up to a different session every week if your schedule changes, or if you just feel like it.
XTJin 2019-08-01 20:33:32
Really love the videos you made Deven. Hope to see you more often!!!
devenware 2019-08-01 20:33:33
Thanks, I appreciate that!
SharonW 2019-08-01 20:33:56
Not related but is there an AoPS building in Frisco now?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:33:56
Yes, there is!
nawakre 2019-08-01 20:34:49
Can we attend all 3 weekly sessions if we wanted?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:34:49
Yes, you can.
Sjiang1218 2019-08-01 20:34:56
Is there an age limit for taking WOOT?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:34:57
There's no age requirement or age limit for taking WOOT. WOOT generally prepares you for high school-level math olympiad contests, though, so the vast majority of students taking WOOT are high schoolers.
monok 2019-08-01 20:35:15
What should I do if I'm bad at Geo like can't get past question 7 geo if I had an hour bad
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:35:16
Assuming that means past AIME #7, sounds like you were better than I was for most of my contest days. WOOT should be able to help cover the knowledge you're missing to solve those problems. I wouldn't be worried about that.
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:35:35
(I once saved an AMC #3 geometry for one of the last questions I answered that test...)
monok 2019-08-01 20:36:57
For the practice olympiads can I take both the beginner and intermediate level olympiads
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:36:58
We have many students who look at and attempt the problems at all three levels, but when doing the test timed and submitting answers, we require you to choose one level only. Partially for logistics reasons.
bankableleaf314 2019-08-01 20:37:26
does ChemWoot or PhysicsWoot have different price than math WOOT?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:37:27
They're all the same price before August 15th, but the price of WOOT will increase thereafter. (The prices of ChemWOOT and PhysicsWOOT will not change.)
Supermath123 2019-08-01 20:37:35
Whats the level of math you think one would be ready (ex. calc, multivariable calc, etc.)?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:37:35
WOOT topics tend to focus on things outside the normal school curriculum, so there's no good answer to this question. Some of our most successful students have no calculus knowledge, and some are many years into calculus.
cj13609517288 2019-08-01 20:38:05
Am I going to miss a lot if I only take one year of WOOT?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:38:05
You can take just one year of WOOT and that's totally fine. We cover different material every year, but missing a year of WOOT wouldn't mean you couldn't do well on an Olympiad.
frog_man 2019-08-01 20:38:23
is there problem overlap in beginner intermediate and advanced practice olympiads, as in OTIS?
SharonW 2019-08-01 20:38:24
What does WOOT stand for?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:38:24
Yes, each level shares one of its three problems with the one before/after it.
devenware 2019-08-01 20:38:25
DofL 2019-08-01 20:38:51
Generally, what time does are classes conducted?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:38:53
Classes are at 7:30 PM Eastern Time on Mondays and Fridays, and 9:00 PM Eastern Time on Thursdays.
glory 2019-08-01 20:39:35
when can we register for woot? sorry if this question was answered
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:39:36
You can enroll here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/school/woot
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:39:44
Registration is open now!
minikakapo 2019-08-01 20:40:01
Would the tee be of 100% cotton?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:40:03
To be honest I am not sure. Sorry!
SharonW 2019-08-01 20:40:39
How long are the classes?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:40:40
2 hours.
fishy15 2019-08-01 20:41:04
for the practice oly, what are the realtively difficulties of them compared to other contests
On the practice olympiads, the first few problems are easier than the later ones (as is the case with many olympiads!). The first couple are designed to be around AIME-level for those who aren't quite able to solve USAMO problems consistently yet. The last few are generally quite tough, at a true olympiad level.
SmartZX 2019-08-01 20:41:42
What specifically does WOOT help with?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:41:44
For some people, getting started with properly writing proofs to olympiad problems that will receive credit on the real contest (harder than it sounds). For everyone, being able to solve harder problems than they could before, whether short answer or olympiad-style.
fishy15 2019-08-01 20:42:06
if woot is worldwide then how many people do it per country
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:42:07
The vast majority of people enrolled in WOOT are in the US (which is why we have practice AIMEs, which are a US-based test, for example). I'm not sure where our other students come from, but I know I did WOOT from Hong Kong when I was a student.
glory 2019-08-01 20:42:15
what's the time interval between each class session?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:42:15
Classes run every other week (with some exceptions for holidays).
SharonW 2019-08-01 20:42:42
does it help with induction-type problems?
Funny you should ask - the very first lesson is on induction!
ss28112 2019-08-01 20:43:06
What do you recommend we do while doing WOOT.. ex: Taking practice AIME's, JMO's, finishing Intermediate Series, etc?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:43:06
I'd definitely recommend doing all of those things! It just depends what you have time for and want to focus on.
Green4Applez 2019-08-01 20:44:04
How would you prepare for the level of geometry at WOOT?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:44:04
Personally, to prepare for geometry I'd recommend just doing lots of geometry problems. Others might have different opinions though.
devenware 2019-08-01 20:44:31
Okay, last call for questions!
frog_man 2019-08-01 20:44:35
is woot coping with the changing-style of olympiads? eg a lot of integer Functionl equations these days?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:44:36
We are making attempts to match trends on real contests. For example, we used to have a lot more inequalities material than we do now. A couple difficulties are (1) guessing which trends actually stick and (2) dealing with the fact that recent trends are towards problems that involve more creativity and are harder to prepare for.
devenware 2019-08-01 20:44:52
We're wrapping up soon, so if you have more questions, ask them now!
caroline2023 2019-08-01 20:45:28
How much do you think the average WOOTter benefits from WOOT?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:45:29
It's impossible to put numbers on it, but this mostly depends on what effort you put into it. If you diligently go through the handouts, classes, problem sets, and practice tests, you'll see a lot of improvement.
Vasu090 2019-08-01 20:45:30
How will the WOOT instructors know whether I understood or not?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:45:31
We can't check that every student understands the material; if you don't understand something, it's on you to ask us or your fellow students! During class, you can ask a question and an assistant or instructor will respond to you. After class, you can ask questions on the Message Board (anonymously, if you want) and both fellow students and instructors can respond to you.
Vasu090 2019-08-01 20:45:49
devenware 2019-08-01 20:45:49
The only things with hard deadlines are the graded olympiads. If you miss the deadline for that, you won't get the personalized feedback you would have. Everything else can be done late if needed.
mandelbrotfractal 2019-08-01 20:46:30
How much will WOOT help with the USAMO/USAJMO, IMO, and Math Olympiad Summer Program and Math Olympiad Summer Program's Team Selection Tests/TST Selection Tests (TST/TSTST)? How much will it help with the AMC and AIME, as well as the USA Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS)?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:46:31
It will help a lot with all of those except the AMC. It will probably help some with the AMC, but our focus is on Olympiad level material.
Supermath123 2019-08-01 20:46:36
sorry if this has been asked, i came a few minutes ago, but what is the time commitment? Would we have to spend a ton of time?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:46:37
You're not required to spend any time at all. Most students spend 0-10 hours per week on WOOT, but there's enough material (and challenging problems) where you can spend much more than that amount of time if you'd like.
Sjiang1218 2019-08-01 20:46:45
How does WOOT compare to other AOPS classes in terms of difficulty
devenware 2019-08-01 20:46:45
Generally it is more difficult.
frog_man 2019-08-01 20:47:24
what does the woot tshirt look like? Does it have a geometry coniguration on it?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:47:25
Sometimes it's a pretty geometry configuration. Sometimes it's "yo dawg I heard you like hockey sticks".
wait how old do you have to be
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:47:32
There's no age requirement to participate in WOOT.
Green4Applez 2019-08-01 20:48:41
Is it ok to take WOOT if you've take every intermediate series course except counting and probability?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:48:42
Yes, it's okay to have spotty mastery of some subjects.
nawakre 2019-08-01 20:49:31
If I think I can improve my AIME score during the time that WOOT occurs, should I join?
devenware 2019-08-01 20:49:31
If you think you're ready for the material in WOOT, then sure! There is no strict requirement about AIME scores to take WOOT. If you feel you're ready to learn the material, then feel free to join!
SharonW 2019-08-01 20:49:48
is there a lot of geo in WOOT?
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:49:49
We generally spend a quarter of WOOT on each of combinatorics, number theory, algebra, and geometry. If you want more geometry, we've also got our Olympiad Geometry class.
XxHalo711 2019-08-01 20:50:42
What are some good resources to do well on AIME?
MellowMelon 2019-08-01 20:50:43
Our intermediate books and AOPS volume 2, if you like books. If you like classes, our AIME problem series can help with getting started. And if you're doing okay on AIMEs and want to do better, take WOOT!
jyatvitskiy 2019-08-01 20:50:55
What is the intermediate series? Does this refer to some AoPS books? I have done Volume 1 and 2 of AoPS Series, but I assume these are not part of the int series
dukeofdensmore 2019-08-01 20:50:56
The "intermediate series" refers to our Intermediate Algebra and Intermediate Counting and Probability books/classes, as well as our Intermediate Number Theory class.
caroline2023 2019-08-01 20:51:02
Should I take notes during class
devenware 2019-08-01 20:51:05
You should definitely be working on the problems we talk about during class! We'll be asking you lots of questions and you want to be an active participant.
devenware 2019-08-01 20:51:22
Alright, thats all the questions for today!
devenware 2019-08-01 20:51:24
Thank you all for coming!
devenware 2019-08-01 20:51:52
If you have extra questions that didn't get answered today, you can email them to us at info@artofproblemsolving.com.
chocolatelover111 2019-08-01 20:51:57
Thank you!
mathleticguyyy 2019-08-01 20:51:57
Bye!
Supermathking 2019-08-01 20:51:57
Thank you!
duck_master 2019-08-01 20:51:57
welcome
nawakre 2019-08-01 20:51:57
Thank you so much!