TCC’s Jim Bolen Math Competition is slated to begin Nov. 2 with $350,000 in scholarships awarded from various local universities.

“The test is open to anyone,” said NE student Justin McCullars. “Each test takes about an hour to complete, 20 questions, and is designed for all levels to compete.”

The contest spans the course of two semesters: one test per semester with the combined scores submitted for the competition, McCullars said.

South math instructor Maggie Foster said she encourages developmental students to enter the competition and take the test now even if they have not taken college-level algebra.

“Typically, the students who do better on the test are those in college-level algebra,” she said. “Developmental students who think that they will want to compete in the future for a scholarship should enter now so that they will know what to expect when they are ready to compete.”

In addition to the scholarships, cash prizes are awarded to the highest score per campus on each test and for the top 10 combined scores districtwide, Foster said.

“After the prizes are awarded, scores are submitted to the universities who then contact students they may want to give scholarships to and set up interviews,” she said. “It’s not always the winners that receive the scholarships, but it will get you interviews from the universities.”

For testing locations and times, students should contact their campus representative. Representatives include NE, Olena Shevchenko at 817-515-6563; NW, Jeff Brignac at 817-515-7344; South, Maggie Foster at 817-515-4612; SE, Daniela Kojouharov at 817-515-3412; and TR, Nilanjana Rahman at 817-515-1368.

­­— Kenney Kost