As campus students in the advanced math honors classprepared to take the third Mathfax exam of the year, their minds were filled with intense concentration and anxiety.

The students knew the coming test would require all of their skills acquired throughout the school year. The students worked to complete the 25 question multiple-choice test within a half hour, hoping their results would be positive.

As the results came in, the students were pleased to find that they had exceeded their expectations as they were placed first in the private division of the competition and fifth nationally.

“I am always very confident in my students when they take the Mathfax test,” Lonnie Godfrey, advanced math honors instructor, said. “They always do well.”

The Mathfax competition was founded in the fall of 1996 with only 20 schools competing. Since then, many schools have been added to the competition, increasing the participation to approximately 1300 schools.

The test was created primarily to help the participants become better acquainted with the math skills needed to do well in the college entrance exam, according to the Mathfax website, www.educontest.com.

A nationwide competition, Mathfax is organized into divisions according to school size. Each class then competes classes of the same size and subject. Campus students compete in the private schools’ division against approximately 15 other schools.

The test is graded in different sections: the placement of the school according to the top three ranking students and the individual placing of each student.

Joshua Powell, ’05, was ranked fifth nationally and first in the private school division of the test.

“I feel pretty good about where I placed,” Powell said. “I was kind of expecting it after I finished the test. As I progressed through the test, I felt sure that I would do well.”

Certificates are awarded to the top three scoring students. The top student of each division also receives a trophy. The highest ranked school of each division is awarded a plaque.

Not only does the test sharpen students’ math skills, but it also helps the students prepare for the SAT’s and PSAT’s.

“The Mathfax test helps us solve problems quickly,” Powell said. “The test also helps to develop logic.”

All they are given to prepare for the test is a practice test given to the students as a homework assignment.

“If you do well in the practice test, you will usually do well in the actual test,” Powell said. “The practice test is an example of what you will be up against in the real test.”

With the final Mathfax test to be taken on Mar. 3, students feel they will do well, judging by their past experience with the test.

“I am not worried about the last test,” Powell said. “I have done rather well with my previous tests. This one should not be any different.”

For more information on the Mathfax Contest, go online to www.educontest.com or contact Godfrey at 297-9464, ext. 144.