Compete

The best competitions for middle school students, by subject

There is no single best competition, because the right one depends on what you already enjoy and how much time you have. What this page does instead is give you one strong, well-established option in each subject area, all open to middle school students in grades 6 to 8, so you can start from the subject you like rather than from a list of 128. 12 of the 14 below are free to enter. Every entry links to a full listing with eligibility, deadlines, costs and preparation notes checked against the organiser's own pages.

14 competitions · 12 free · 11 online · 3 with preparation guides

Questions people ask about this

What is the best competition for middle school students in grades 6 to 8?

It depends entirely on the subject you want to work in, which is why this page gives one strong option per subject rather than naming a single winner. If you have no particular subject in mind, start with something rated 1 or 2 out of 5 for difficulty and free to enter, so a first attempt costs you nothing but time.

How many competitions should I enter?

One, done properly, beats five done badly. Competitions reward depth: a research project, a trained team or months of problem practice. Pick one that matches your subject, read its past materials, and enter the next cycle.

Do competitions actually help with college applications?

Some carry scholarships or national recognition and some do not, and this directory states the prizes for each one rather than implying they are all equivalent. The more reliable reason to enter is that preparing for one teaches you the subject faster than coursework alone.

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