FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• What is KenKen?

  KenKen is a math grid-based puzzle that uses all 4 numerical operatives, namely addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. One can alter the size of the grid between 3×3 and 9×9 and create infinite number of puzzles with varied levels of difficulty. It is a unique combination of number dexterity and combinatory skills while applying logical reasoning to arrive at a solution.

• Where does KenKen originate from?

  The term originates from the Japanese word meaning cleverness. KenKen puzzle was created by a Japanese math teacher Tetsuya Miyamoto, who aimed to develop an instruction- free training method for the brain, in the form of a simple puzzle. KenKen trains the mind to think on its feet.

• What is KenKen International Championship (KIC)?

  KIC is a multi-level championship for all age groups. The championship held in UAE specifically caters to school children. A student can advance to the next level by successfully solving KenKen puzzles of relevant difficulty within a stipulated time frame. The student competes with peers of the same age group at each level.

• How is KenKen recognised worldwide?

  KenKen is recognised by National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, USA (NCTM) which is the World’s largest mathematics education organisation. This organisation has recognised KenKen as an instructive skill that stimulates the mind to explore parity, counting, subsets and various problem solving strategies.

• Who is the official partner for KIC in UAE?

  Rootstalk Learning Solutions FZ LLC is the exclusive and official partner for KenKen International Championship in UAE. With their head office in Dubai, they have branched out in all 7 Emirates to conduct KenKen school level exams.

• What is the scale of the championship?

  In 2019, KIC is gearing up to host its 4th Edition in UAE. KIC received tremendous response in its inaugural year with 100 unique participating schools and 7000 students. In 2018, there was a wondrous boost in these figures with 300 schools and 25000 students participating in the championship. This year, with your support, we can put up an even bigger show.

• Who can participate in the championship?

  ● A student can register as an individual candidate or a representative of his/her participating school.
  ● The student needs to be within the age group of 8-17 years which roughly includes all students from Grade 3- 12 or Year 4-13.

• Why should my child participate in KIC? What are the benefits of KIC?

  ● KenKen combines plain mathematics with crucial skills like logical reasoning.
  ● Back in the classroom, it develops problem solving, reasoning and communication.
  ● Expose your child to a global platform where he/she interacts with peers from different schools and countries.
  ● It instills a sense of determination, confidence and resilience.
  ● Above all, KenKen is a fun way to do Math!

• My child is not good at Math, should he/she participate in KIC?

  First of all, quit worrying! KenKen focuses on development of Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving skills in a child. These skills can only be acquired through practice and more practice. By introducing your child to KenKen, he/she will not only cultivate this proficiency but also develop an increased liking toward Mathematics as a subject in school. His/her performance in school is sure to improve with daily practice of KenKen.

• My child is already great at Math. How will KIC benefit him/her further?

  Classroom mathematics can be limiting to your child’s abilities. KenKen further stimulates his/ her mind and develops Problem Solving and Logical Reasoning skills. These are beneficial soft skills that assist the child in other spheres of life as well.

• How many countries participate in the International Championship?

  9 countries, namely, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi, India, Pakistan, UAE, USA, Japan and Egypt.

• How many exams are held?

  There are 4 successive levels to the championship namely, School level, Emirate level, National level and International level. The child has to appear for 1 exam per level.

• What are the dates of the competition?

  ● The School level exam is conducted from April to June as per the school’s convenience. For individual participants, the exam is held on the last Saturday of each month from April to July.
  ● Emirates level: 27th & 28th September 2019.
  ● National level: 2nd November 2019.
  ● International level: 15 th December 2019.
  * All dates are subject to change because of some unavoidable circumstances. In that case new dates will be disclosed and communicated well in advance.

• Do these dates clash with school examinations?

  Our exams are conducted on weekends so it should not hinder school classes or exams.

• What is the venue for the exams?

  ● School-level: If the child is participating on behalf of his school, then the exam is held in his/her school.
  ● School-level: If the child is an individual participant, the exam is conducted at a neutral venue in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The venue is disclosed and communicated well in advance.
  ● Emirates-level: The exam will be conducted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
  ● National-level: The exam will be conducted in Dubai.
  ● International-level: The exam will be conducted in New York.
  * Exact location will be communicated through admit card 10 days prior to the exam via email.

• What is the duration of the exam?

  Each exam is for 30 minutes.

• Are the exams conducted online?

  The school-level exam is conducted online but all other competitions are pen-pencil exams.

• If a student can’t be physically present for the exam, can he/she attempt it online instead?

  No.

• Do all students appear for the same difficulty of puzzles?

  No. The level of difficulty increases with each successive level of the championship. There will be 6 puzzles of different sizes and difficulty levels depending on the category participants belong to.

• Do all students of the same level solve one puzzle?

  Yes, all the students from the same category solve the same puzzles at the emirates and national level. For school-level exams, puzzles are different at each school.

• How many puzzles does the student solve in each exam?

  There will be 6 puzzles of different sizes and difficulty levels depending on the category participants belong to.

• What is the selection criteria at each level?

  Puzzles of different sizes have different scores. If the score that the student accrues corresponds to the qualifying criteria of that level, then he/she advances to the level of the championship!

• How many students are selected to advance to the next level?

  ● School Level: Top 50 % participants are selected for the Emirate level competition.

  ● Emirate Level: Top 30 % of the school winners are selected for the National level competition.
  ● National Level: Top 20 students from each category are declared National Level winners. Top student from each of the 6 categories qualifies for the International Level in New York.
  ● International Level: Each of the 3 categories has 1 Champion. They then compete for the Champion of the Champions round to decide the overall winner.

• On what basis are students selected for the next level?

  Puzzles of different sizes have different scores. If the score that the student accrues corresponds to the qualifying criteria of that level, then he/she advances to the level of the championship!

• How do I register for the competition?

  We accept online registrations on our website: www.kenkenuae.com/registration

• Can I register individually and not as a representative of my school?

  Yes. In this case, you will have to register online on www.kenkenuae.com/registration

• What is the registration fee for the competition?

  AED 105 inclusive VAT and no other mandatory fee throughout the championship

• Is there any additional fee apart from registration?

  No. Bootcamp and practice books to boost your child’s performance can be purchased at an additional cost.

• What are the steps that follow registration? How will I be informed of them?

  Once your child has registered for the championship, he/she will receive a Unique Registration ID along with access to the Student Portal. All the information/updated regarding the championship will be communicated through the Student Portal.

• Do I have to pay additionally at every level of the competition?

  No, only at the time of registration.

• Are there any early bird offers or discounts?

  No, sooner you register more time you get for practice.

• How much practice is required to excel in KenKen?

  Minimum 20 minutes a day worth practice is required 3- 4 days a week. Your child can opt for the following methods of practice:
  ● Free Study Material: Upon registration, we will ship one free practice book to you. Along with this, there are many free practice videos available on our YouTube channel.
  ● KenKen Boot camps: held in various venues in UAE. Proved to be extremely beneficial. Learn more at our page: www.kenkenuae.com/classes
  ● Practice books: Select from a host of practice books with different levels of difficulty. Learn more at our page: www.kenkenuae.com/books
  ● YouTube channel: We have free youtube channel where you can learn good practices to solve Kenken puzzles. Visit our channel: https://bit.ly/2DXalpo

• Can I excel without KenKen specific practice?

  Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to success! We preach practice makes perfect!

• How helpful are the bootcamps to excel in the competition?

  Students have had tremendous luck with their exam after attending the boot camps. A Bootcamp is an hour and a half intensive training course where the child is exposed to a competitive environment that prepares him/her for the exam day. Children learn many strategies, tips and tricks to excel in KenKen puzzles.

• Do you provide any discounts on study material?

  Sometimes we do. The same will be informed through email/Student Portal.

• Does the student receive a certificate of participation at the end of each level?

  A student will receive a medal and certificate for the last level that he/she qualifies. Thus, he/she will receive only 1 medal and certificate in the Championship.

• What are the rewards and recognition offered at each stage?

  Reward system of KIC: 

  • Top 6 students (Rank 1 holder from each of the 6 categories) of the championship will be selected for the international competition of the KIC in New York.
  • If your National Level Rank is within/below Rank 20 (Rank 1 to 20)
    • You will receive a Certificate of Excellence, Gold Championship Medal and a Championship Memento
  • If your National Level Rank is above Rank 20 (Rank 21 upwards)
    • You will receive a Certificate of Excellence and a Silver Championship Medal
  • If your School Level Result indicates ‘Selected’ but Emirates Level Result indicates ‘Not Selected’
    • You will receive a Certificate of Recognition and a Bronze Championship Medal
  • If your School Level result indicates ‘Not Selected’
    • You will receive a Certificate of Participation

• Do I get a medal/ certificate for each level as I advance to the next?

  A student will receive a medal and certificate for the last level that he/she qualifies. Thus, he/she will receive only one medal and one certificate in the Championship.

  Quick Recap on the reward system of KIC: 

  • If your National Level Rank is within/below Rank 20 (Rank 1 to 20)
    • You will receive a Certificate of Excellence, Gold Championship Medal and a Championship Memento
  • If your National Level Rank is above Rank 20 (Rank 21 upwards)
    • You will receive a Certificate of Excellence and a Silver Championship Medal
  • If your School Level Result indicates ‘Selected’ but Emirates Level Result indicates ‘Not Selected’
    • You will receive a Certificate of Recognition and a Bronze Championship Medal
  • If your School Level result indicates ‘Not Selected’
    • You will receive a Certificate of Participation

• How do I receive my medal and certificate?

  Here’s how the reward distribution system will work:

  • Participant’s whose National Level Rank is within Rank 20 (Rank 1 to 20) will be handed all their awards in the KIC Felicitation Ceremony which takes place within the 3 months of the national-level results announcement.
  • For all other participants, your Certificates and Medals will be dispatched to respective schools after the end of the Winter Break in January. Your schools have been informed of the same as well. We will also send you a notification when we dispatch the awards.
  • For independent participants whose schools did not officially take part in KIC, your Certificates and Medals will be mailed (delivery charges will apply) directly to your shipping address after the end of the Winter Break in January 2020.

• How do I attest the certificate I receive?

  https://student.kenkenuae.com/

• When is the trip to New York planned?

  2019

• How many days are spent on the trip, including days of travel?

  The official trip is for 3- 4 days.

• Do schools recognize this trip as academic and compensate for lost school attendance of the student?

  The trip is held in December, which is holiday season in UAE.

• Who will bare the cost of the trip to New York?

  Top 6 winners will represent UAE at KIC in New York. We provide a lump sum amount to cover the cost of the trip which cover economy airfare, hotel and other expenses. Visa and any other legal requirements for the visa need to be provided by the parents.

• Are any aspects of the trip not covered by your company?

  Complete expenses for the student will be covered by Rootstalk Learning Solutions FZ LLC. We provide a lump sum amount to cover the cost of the trip which cover economy airfare, hotel and other expenses. Visa and any other legal requirements for the visa need to be provided by the parents.

• What is the criteria for selecting students for New York?

  Top 6 students (Rank 1 holder from each of the 6 categories) of the championship will be selected for the international competition of the KIC in New York.

• Can parents of selected students travel with them to New York?

  Yes, at least one parent must travel with their child to New York. However, Rootstalk Learning Solutions FZ LLC will not cover for their expense.

• What are the accommodation arrangements for students in New York?

  Usually, Kenken USA team gets a deal from one of the hotels near the venue and share the details with participants. It is up to parents if they want to book that hotel or any other.

• When and where is the felicitation ceremony held?

  The Felicitation ceremony is held within the 3 months of the National level result announcement. This is held at a neutral venue in Dubai. Dates are subject to change. We will inform you well in advance.

• Who all are facilitated at the ceremony?

  Top 120 students (Top 20 students from each of the 6 categories) of the Championship are felicitated at the ceremony.

• If I do not qualify for the Emirates or National level, do I still get felicitated at the ceremony or can I collect my certificate sooner?

  In this case, we will issue you a certificate of participation. The soft copy of this certificate will be available in the student portal just along with the result. However, a hard copy of the same will be issued to you at the end of the championship.

• When are the results for each round declared?

  Exam results for all Championship rounds are normally issued within 12 working days from the date of the exam day.

• Where are the results of the exams declared?

  Results for all the Championship Rounds will be announced in the Student Portal.

  Please Note: Kenken UAE is not responsible to send an email or SMS to your registered email address, phone number with Championship updates, as everything will be posted in your Student Portal  

• Can I retake any exam?

  No.

• What is a Performance Report?

  A Performance Report is issued along with the result of the kenken exams. It shows the marks obtained, the number of puzzles that are correct, incorrect and not attempted in the exam. It also includes performance-related stats depending on the exam.

  The Performance Report is released along with the result in the Student Portal.

• What are the policies regarding these three scenarios?

  ● School level: Students/parents will have to inform us at least 2 days prior to the exam date (info@kenkenuae.com). If you postpone your exam then your exam will take place at a later date at a neutral place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We conduct this exam usually on the last Saturday of every alternate month.

  ● Emirates level: Students can request to change the exam dates between the two prescribed dates only. For this students/parents will have to send us an email within 7 days of receiving the admit card. Our team will try to accommodate the request if possible. If there is no seat on the desired date then we won’t be able to make the changes.

  ● National level: Students can request to change the exam timing only. For this students/parents will have to send us an email within 7 days of receiving the admit card. Our team will try to accommodate the request if possible. If there is no seat on the desired time then we won’t be able to make the changes.

  ● International level: No changes can be made.

• In case I miss any of the Championship rounds, do you refund my registration fee?

  No. The registration fee for KIC 2020 paid by you is not refundable (applicable under all circumstances).

• Is there an option to carry forward my registration fee to the next year, in case I miss my exam?

  No. The registration fee paid by you is only valid for KIC 2020.

• Can I register for KIC 2020 individually? (if my School is not participating)

  Yes! KIC 2020 is an independent championship and students falling within the age group can take part in the championship individually.

  Your School Level (1st Round) will be an online exam, and the next two rounds (paper-pencil based) of the exams will be conducted in neutral locations.

• What is the Student Portal?

  Every participant of KIC 2020 is granted access to their personal ‘Student Portal’. After registration, you can access your Student Portal through this link: https://student.kenkenuae.com/

  The Student Portal is your one and only resource for everything related to your Championship. It has the following features and you will be able to access:

  • Championship related News, Updates and Information
  • Kenken Practice Portal (Subscription plan)
  • All your Results & Performance Reports
  • All your digital copies of Certificates
  • Online store for buying Kenen Practice Books & Classes
  • Request Centre
  • Other Championship Resources

  Please Note: Kenken UAE is not responsible to send an email or SMS to your registered email address. phone number with Championship updates, as everything will be posted in your Student Portal  

• How is Championship related information communicated?

  All Championship related Information, News, Updates, Offers etc. will be communicated through the Student Portal.

  Some (not all) Championship related Information/News will also be updated on the Social Media Pages and the Championship Website.

  Please Note: Kenken UAE is not responsible to send an email or SMS to your registered email address, phone number with Championship updates, as everything will be posted in your Student Portal  

• How can I access Championship related information?

  The best way to keep updated with Championship related Information/News is to regularly log in to your Student Portal.

  You can also access some (not all) Championship related Information/News through the Social Media Pages and the Championship Website.

  Please Note: Kenken UAE is not responsible to send an email or SMS to your registered email address, phone number with Championship updates, as everything will be posted in your Student Portal.