In October BBC2 screened a critically acclaimed documentary called "Beautiful Young Minds" which charted the fortunes of the six UK teenagers taking part in the 2006 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in Slovenia. (See our Plus article for more information.)

On the 8th of November, a record number of sixth formers will sit a test which could lead to them becoming next year's Beautiful Young Minds. Over 87,000 students from over 2,000 schools and colleges will sit the Senior Maths Challenge which could lead to them being selected to represent the UK in the 2008 IMO in Spain. With over 60,000 students sitting mathematics A-level last year, this demonstrates a massive proportion of A-level candidates wishing to represent their country in mathematics.

Mary Wimbury, Director of the UK Mathematics Trust (which sets the Challenge and also selects the Olympiad team) explained that 8% more students had entered the competition this year. She said, "We are delighted with the increase in entries to the Senior Maths Challenge which reflects a growing take up of mathematics amongst sixth formers. The Challenge involves answering 25 questions of increasing difficulty which aim to stimulate mathematical thinking beyond the school curriculum. We know that students find it both motivating and interesting."

The Senior Maths Challenge is sponsored by the Actuarial Profession. It presupposes a knowledge of mathematics to GCSE higher level and involves answering 25 questions in an hour and a half. Gold, silver and bronze certificates are awarded to 40% of participants nationally and the top 1,000 competitors will be invited to enter the British Mathematical Olympiad (BMO) Round 1 paper which takes place on 30th November. The best 100 qualified to represent the UK will then be invited to sit BMO Round 2 in January 2008. They will then be whittled down to a squad of 20 and finally a team of six to represent the UK.