⏰ First 5 Minutes

The first 5 minutes of the contest are crucial for setting up success. Follow this protocol to establish momentum and identify your strategy.

🎯 Minute 1: Contest Setup

📋 Materials Organization

  • Answer sheet: Verify it’s the correct sheet
  • Student information: Fill out completely and correctly
  • Student ID: Double-check your ID number
  • Pencils: Ensure you have multiple sharpened #2 pencils
  • Eraser: Check that your eraser is good quality
  • Water bottle: Place within easy reach (if allowed)

🧠 Mental Preparation

  • Take deep breaths: 3 deep breaths to calm yourself
  • Confidence affirmation: “I am prepared and ready”
  • Focus reminder: “One problem at a time”
  • Strategy recall: Remember your three-pass approach
  • Time awareness: Note the start time
  • Stay calm: Don’t let nerves take over

🎯 Minute 2: Quick Triage Sweep

👀 Problem Scanning

  • Scan problems 1-10: Identify easy problems
  • Scan problems 11-15: Identify medium problems
  • Scan problems 16-25: Identify hard problems
  • Mark easy wins: Circle problems you can solve quickly
  • Mark potential traps: Note problems that look tricky
  • Time allocation: Plan your time distribution

🎯 Strategy Selection

  • First pass target: Problems 1-15 (45 minutes)
  • Second pass target: Problems 16-25 (25 minutes)
  • Final review: 5 minutes
  • Guessing strategy: Remember expected value thresholds
  • Verification: Remember to check your work
  • Stay flexible: Be ready to adapt

🎯 Minute 3: Tempo Establishment

⚡ Start with Confidence

  • Begin with problem 1: Start with the easiest problem
  • Set your pace: 2-3 minutes per problem for first 10
  • Build momentum: Each correct answer builds confidence
  • Stay focused: One problem at a time
  • Don’t rush: Take time to solve correctly
  • Trust your preparation: You’ve prepared for this

🎯 Problem Approach

  • Read carefully: Understand what’s being asked
  • Identify topic: Use topic routing heuristics
  • Choose strategy: Select appropriate approach
  • Solve systematically: Follow your method
  • Check answer: Verify before moving on
  • Mark progress: Note your progress

🎯 Minute 4: Momentum Building

🚀 Confidence Building

  • Complete problem 1: Get your first success
  • Move to problem 2: Build on your success
  • Stay positive: Each success builds confidence
  • Maintain focus: Don’t get distracted
  • Trust your instincts: Go with your first approach
  • Stay calm: Don’t let pressure build

⏰ Time Awareness

  • Check time: Note how much time has passed
  • Adjust pace: Speed up or slow down as needed
  • Stay on track: Don’t fall behind schedule
  • Don’t panic: Stay calm and focused
  • Trust your plan: Follow your strategy
  • Stay flexible: Adapt if needed

🎯 Minute 5: Rhythm Establishment

🎵 Find Your Flow

  • Complete 2-3 problems: Establish your rhythm
  • Feel confident: You’re in the flow
  • Maintain pace: Keep up your tempo
  • Stay focused: One problem at a time
  • Build momentum: Each success helps
  • Stay positive: Maintain confidence

🎯 Quality Focus

  • Accuracy over speed: Better to be right than fast
  • Check your work: Verify before moving on
  • Don’t rush: Take time to solve correctly
  • Stay systematic: Follow your approach
  • Trust your preparation: You know what to do
  • Stay calm: Don’t let pressure build

⚡ Quick Reference

Essential Actions:

  • Setup: Organize materials, fill out answer sheet
  • Triage: Scan problems, identify easy wins
  • Start: Begin with problem 1, build confidence
  • Momentum: Complete 2-3 problems, establish rhythm
  • Flow: Find your pace, maintain focus

Time Targets:

  • Minute 1: Setup and organization
  • Minute 2: Triage and strategy
  • Minute 3: Start solving, establish tempo
  • Minute 4: Build momentum, check time
  • Minute 5: Find flow, maintain quality

Success Indicators:

  • Confidence: Feeling good about your start
  • Focus: Clear focus on current problem
  • Pace: Appropriate speed for your level
  • Accuracy: Solving problems correctly
  • Momentum: Building confidence with each success

🚨 Red Flags to Watch For

Warning Signs:

  • Feeling overwhelmed: Take deep breaths, slow down
  • Rushing too much: Slow down, focus on accuracy
  • Getting stuck: Move on, come back later
  • Losing focus: Take a moment to refocus
  • Panicking: Use relaxation techniques
  • Comparing yourself: Focus on your own performance

Recovery Actions:

  • Take deep breaths: 3 deep breaths to calm yourself
  • Refocus: “One problem at a time”
  • Slow down: Better to be accurate than fast
  • Move on: Don’t get stuck on one problem
  • Stay positive: “I can do this”
  • Trust your preparation: You’ve prepared for this

📊 Success Metrics

Setup Goals:

  • Materials ready: Everything organized and accessible
  • Answer sheet complete: Student information filled out correctly
  • Mental state: Calm, confident, focused
  • Strategy clear: Know your approach and timing

Performance Goals:

  • First problem: Complete within 2-3 minutes
  • Second problem: Complete within 2-3 minutes
  • Third problem: Complete within 2-3 minutes
  • Confidence level: High confidence in your approach
  • Focus level: Clear focus on current problem

Prev: Pre-Test Checklist | Next: During Test Quick Checks | Back to: Strategy Guide