Talent Search: How it works
Grade 4 – Grade 12 · 9–13 March · 45 Minutes
Who is the Talent Search for?
The Talent Search is a challenge made available at different levels for learners from grade 4 to grade 12.
Algorithms
Abstraction, decomposition, optimisation, sorting, pattern recognition and more — applied across Mathematics, Science, IT, CAT, the Humanities and Sport.
Comprehension
Context and meaning are added to every problem, making it fun and informative. Understanding the problem is the key to solving it in everyday life.
Career Choices
The Talent Search sparks curiosity and inspires career choices from an early age — even helping Grade 9 learners with Grade 10 subject selection.
Important Rules
1
Time: Schools may participate on any day within the contest period. All interested learners may take part between 06:00 and 18:00.
Offline schools must submit results by midnight on 16 March. Late submissions will not be accepted. Keep all contest materials confidential until 16 March.
Offline schools must submit results by midnight on 16 March. Late submissions will not be accepted. Keep all contest materials confidential until 16 March.
2
One chance: Each learner may only participate once — in either the Online or the Offline version.
3
Teacher Practice: We advise teachers to try the contest themselves at least a day before to guide learners more effectively. See what to prepare below.
4
Video: Watch the video below with your class before attempting the Talent Search.
5
Certificates: Certificates will be printed for the top 50% of participants in each division.
6
No outside help is allowed during the competition.
7
Loadshedding & Time: Ensure no load-shedding is planned during the contest. No extra time will be granted for low bandwidth or load-shedding. The competition is exactly 45 minutes long.
General note to teachers: Please take precautions to prevent learners from sharing content — destroy notes, collect question papers, and remove any diagrams made during the contest.
What to expect after registering?
The Talent Search has five divisions: Elementary (Grade 5 & below), Junior (Grade 6–7), Intermediate (Grade 8–9), Senior (Grade 10–11) and Elite (Grade 12 and above). Each division has a different level of difficulty. Learners should select their actual grade to receive the most appropriate challenge.
On 4 March 2026, offline registered teachers will receive documentation by email. Online teachers will access documentation on the ChallengeBeaver server.
| 📶 Online documentation | 📄 Offline documentation |
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What to do on the day of the competition?
📶 Online participation
Login details: Print the spreadsheet with the URL, usernames and passwords. Cut it into strips and give each online participant ONE strip. The questions appear on screen for participants.
Also print the Information for Participants (2-page sheet) for each learner, or let them watch the video.
Also print the Information for Participants (2-page sheet) for each learner, or let them watch the video.
📄 Offline participation
Print the required material provided by the Olympiad.
⚠️ Avoid Mistakes
⚠ Remind participants to read and follow instructions carefully. No credit is given for answers that are not 100% correct.
⚠ Ask participants to enter their names correctly and in Prope Case (e.g. Sam King, not sam king). Incorrect entries cannot be corrected later on certificates.
⚠ Remind learners that the first name, last name and grade they enter will appear on the certificates — no misspellings or incorrect grades.
Watch the video: For teachers and participants
What to do on the day of the competition
