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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

[u][b][i]DP. [/i][/u] [/b]Then it's more about love of math than it is anything else.  It would be nearly impossible to get a kid to self study the entire AoPS Algebra and Counting&Probability books in 6th grade, and then get high level results on math competitions if the kid wasn't passionate about math.  The kids forced into math by their parents tend to do well on early math competitions, but they're not going to keep up with the  kids who love math and are eager to soak up any new concepts.

My own kid has made both the Honor and Achievement rolls the last two years for AMC 8.  He also spends tons of time on Alcumus and the AoPS forums doing math problems.  Over this winter break, he's mocked an old AMC 10 test almost every single day, because he really wants to qualify for AIME or at least make AMC 10 Honor roll this year.  Yes, he has technically practiced much more math than most other kids.  Nothing is preventing those kids from practicing the math, also, as Alcumus and old AMC tests are available for free online.  The big difference is that my kid is more motivated and more passionate about math than the kids who aren't practicing.

For what it's worth, I think very few kids would be capable of independently learning AoPS level math classes, and obviously not all kids have the same natural math aptitude.  AMC 8 is an oddball contest in that kids who are bright, but not outrageously so, can still earn awards by practicing a lot of math.  AMC 10 and beyond, simply practicing a lot won't cut it, and the kid needs both the practice and very high levels of math aptitude.  [/quote]

[b]Now you are changing your story[/b].  It started out with you saying "I don't believe it's entirely about practice. A kid good at math will be able to do well without practice. My 6th grader took an AMC 8 without any practice and scored around 20. He also scored in the top 10% of the AMC 10 test. Of course, there is no doubt that practice helps, especially with respect to speed (and probably type of problem)."  You made it sound like he was born good at math and some kids are just good at math.  Now you talk about his passion and pursuit of math.  Very different.  It's like saying some kids are just better at skiing then other kids and your kid is a great skier and doesn't practice.  Then we find out all meant was he doesn't have a full time coach but skiis all the time.  I think the takeway is what level of math you are in and how much you practice problem solving make a huge difference.[/quote]

DP = Different Poster.  ;)  The poster with the math passionate kid (me) is not the same poster as the parent of the 6th grader.  [/quote]

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