Math Contest Score Calculator
Score a contest from correct, blank, and total questions with custom point values.
What it does
Contest scoring rewards both solving and knowing when to skip. Eighteen correct at 6 points with 5 blanks at 1.5 on a 25 question test gives 115.5 of 150, which beats guessing blindly.
The tool above takes correct, blank, and total counts with both point values. It returns the contest score, max score, and accuracy, so strategy talks about guessing versus skipping start from numbers.
This math fits correct plus blank credit with no wrong penalty. It does not fit negative marking that subtracts per wrong answer, nor tiered points that vary by problem.
Math competition programs frame the same parts: timed problem sets scored by rules with past papers for practice. Scoring rules differ by contest, so always enter the printed values.
Count wrong as total minus correct minus blank. Two wrong in the example earn zero while holding accuracy at 72%.
How to use
- Enter correct answer count.
- Enter blank answer count.
- Enter total questions on the paper.
- Enter points per correct and per blank.
- Read contest score first for the result line.
- Read accuracy to judge solving versus skipping.
Formula
- correct
- Questions answered correctly.
- blank
- Questions left blank for partial credit.
- pc / pb
- Points per correct and per blank answer.
Correct plus blank cannot top total questions. Wrong answers are the remainder and earn zero here. Blank credit of zero fits contests with no skip bonus.
Worked example
Example: 18 correct, 5 blank of 25 at 6 and 1.5
Correct 18, blank 5, total 25, points 6 correct and 1.5 blank.
- Correct: 18 x 6 = 108 pts.
- Blank: 5 x 1.5 = 7.5 pts.
- Score: 108 + 7.5 = 115.5 pts.
- Max: 25 x 6 = 150 pts, accuracy 18/25 = 72.0 %.
- Tool shows 115.5 pts, max 150 pts, accuracy 72.0 %.
Reference table
| Correct / Blank | Score | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| 15 / 10 | 105 pts | 60.0 % |
| 18 / 5 | 115.5 pts | 72.0 % |
| 20 / 0 | 120 pts | 80.0 % |
Limits
- No wrong penalty model. Negative marking needs its own page.
- One point pair per run. Tiered problems need split lines.
- Ignores time bonuses and style points.
- Rules vary by contest, so confirm printed values.
Common mistakes
- Crediting wrong answers with blank points.
- Letting correct plus blank top total questions.
- Using last year point values for this year paper.
- Reading accuracy as score percent of max.
- Guessing when blanks pay more than expected value.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
20 correct, 0 blank of 25 at 6 and 1.5?
Score 120 pts, max 150 pts, accuracy 80.0 %.
10 correct, 10 blank of 20 at 5 and 1?
Score 60 pts, max 100 pts, accuracy 50.0 %.
25 correct, 0 blank of 25 at 4 and 0?
Score 100 pts, max 100 pts, accuracy 100.0 %.
Questions
How is contest score figured?
Correct times correct points plus blank times blank points. Wrong earns zero here.
Should I guess or leave blank?
Compare blank credit against guess expected value. Blanks win when guessing runs cold.
What is accuracy here?
Correct over total questions. 18 of 25 is 72%.
What is max score?
Total questions times points per correct. 25 at 6 is 150.
Do all contests score this way?
No. Some penalize wrong answers or tier points. Enter printed values.
How do I track wrong answers?
Total minus correct minus blank. The example hides 2 wrong earning zero.