Registration for the Kangaroo Talent Competition 2026: Dates and Application Link
The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), a leading organization in discovering and nurturing gifted individuals, has announced the opening of registration for the new edition of the “Mawhiba Kangaroo 2026” competition, as part of its ongoing strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education. This initiative aims to foster a passion for science and mathematics among young people and empower them to compete at the global level.
Target groups and participation mechanism
The annual competition targets a wide range of public school students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from the third grade of elementary school to the third grade of high school. The competition tests are designed as multiple-choice questions, with students divided into different levels according to their grade level to ensure fairness and equality in the competition. Mawhiba clarified that registration will remain open until April 7th for those wishing to participate, via the competition's website (www.kangarooksa.org) or through the Mawhiba smart application. The actual tests will be held on April 17th and 18th, 2026.
A rich history and global reach
The Kangaroo Competition is more than just a school test; it's a global scientific phenomenon that originated in Australia in 1980, created by mathematics teacher Peter Halloran. The idea was a resounding success, spreading to France and then to the rest of the world, making it one of the largest international science competitions. Currently held in over 70 countries, the competition attracts approximately 6 million students annually, making it a unique platform for exchanging experiences and assessing scientific abilities according to standardized global criteria.
Goals that go beyond numbers and calculations
The Kangaroo Talent competition aims for more than just solving mathematical problems; it seeks to instill the importance of mathematics in students' lives and encourage them to master mathematical knowledge in an enjoyable and engaging way that breaks down any fear of the subject. The competition focuses on developing higher-order thinking skills, analytical abilities, and connecting mathematical concepts and their applications to everyday life, thus providing a stimulating and competitive learning environment that fosters creativity.
National and strategic impact
Locally, this competition holds particular importance as it is one of the Kingdom's key channels for the early detection of scientific talent. The competition's outcomes contribute to the development of Saudi Arabia's national mathematics teams, which represent the Kingdom in major international events such as the International Mathematical Olympiad. This aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to build a globally competitive human capital and invest in the capabilities of male and female students to become future leaders in the fields of science and innovation.
