2020 Math Kangaroo Real Questions and Analysis

In this article, you’ll find:

• A topic distribution chart for the 2020 Math Kangaroo Levels 1–4
• Key concepts tested in each topic
• A question–module mapping table
• Several real 2020 questions with solutions and common mistakes
• Study tips and resources to prepare effectively for Math Kangaroo

2020 Math Kangaroo Overview

The Math Kangaroo competition consists of a single 75-minute multiple-choice test with five answer options per question. Students can participate either online or on paper.

Scoring Structure

• Grades 1–4: 24 questions, maximum score of 96 points
• Grades 5–12: 30 questions, maximum score of 120 points

Learn more about Math Kangaroo Format and Scoring Here: Math Kangaroo FAQ and Resources: Your Ultimate Guide

Levels 1-2 Analysis

Topic Distribution

The 2020 Math Kangaroo Levels 1–2 exam is dominated by geometry (38%), with reasoning (29%), number (21%), and word problems (12%) rounding out a paper centered on visual-spatial skills and basic logical analysis.

Detailed Module Summary

Module	Question Numbers	What It Tests (Brief)
Geometry	Q2, Q3, Q5, Q6, Q9, Q10, Q11, Q13, Q15	Mirror reflection & symmetry, cube nets/opposites, three views, shape congruence/overlap
Reasoning	Q4, Q7, Q8, Q17, Q18, Q19, Q20	Repeating sequences, graph constraints, order comparisons, relative position
Word Problem	Q16, Q21, Q24	Sharing & grouping totals
Number	Q1, Q12, Q14, Q22, Q23	Sums in diagrams, comparisons & inequalities

Real Questions and Solutions Explained

Geometry Example – Problem 6

Question:

Mary made a shape using some white cubes and 14 gray cubes. How many of these gray cubes cannot be seen in the picture?

(A) 1 (B) 3 (C) 5 (D) 6 (E) 8

Solution:

The question says there are 14 gray cubes in total. By looking at the picture, one can count 8 gray cubes that are visible. That means the rest are hidden on the back or inside the shape. 14 total − 8 seen = 6 gray cubes not shown.

Answer: D

Common Mistakes:

• Counting the white cubes by mistake
• Thinking “not seen” means missing, not hidden
• Subtracting from 14 incorrectly

Reasoning Example – Problem 19

Question:

 Mark the Bee can walk only on gray cells. In how many ways can you color exactly two white cells gray so that Mark can walk from A to B?

(A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 5 (D) 6 (E) 7

Solution:

By testing different paths, there are exactly 5 different ways to color two white cells gray to make a full path from A to B.

Answer: C

Common Mistakes:

• Coloring more than 2 white cells gray (the rule says exactly two)
• Forgetting Mark can only walk on gray cells, not white
• Missing diagonal directions or skipping reachable paths

Word Problem Example – Problem 16

Question:

Grandmother just baked 12 cookies. She wants to give all of the cookies to her 5 grandchildren but also wants to give each of the grandchildren the same number of cookies. How many more cookies should she bake?

(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 3 (E) 4

Solution:

The goal is for each grandchild to receive the same number of cookies with no leftovers.

• Grandmother already has 12 cookies.
• She has 5 grandchildren.
• 12 cannot be divided evenly by 5.
• The smallest number greater than 12 that can be divided evenly by 5 is 15.
• To reach 15 cookies, she needs to bake 3 more.

Answer: D

Common Mistakes:

• Not checking divisibility: Forgetting the requirement that each grandchild must get the same number.

Number Example – Problem 12

Question:

A number is written on each petal of two flowers. One petal is hidden. The sums of the numbers on the two flowers are equal. What number is written on the hidden petal?

(A) 0  (B) 3   (C) 5  (D) 7  (E) 1

Solution:

• The flower on the left has all petals visible. Adding those numbers gives: 1 + 9 + 7 + 3 + 5 = 25.
• The flower on the right is missing one number. The visible numbers are:2 + 4 + 6 + 8 = 20.
• Since both flowers must have the same total, the missing number must be: 25 – 20 = 5.

Answer: C

Common Mistakes:

• Miscounting or skipping a petal when adding.
• Assuming the missing number is random, not based on equal totals.

Levels 3-4 Analysis

Topic Distribution

The 2020 Math Kangaroo Levels 3–4 exam places a clear emphasis on geometry (50%), supported by reasoning (33%) and number (17%), highlighting heavier reliance on spatial sense and graphic insight.

Detailed Module Summary

Module	Question Numbers	What It Tests (Brief)
Geometry	Q2, Q4, Q5, Q7, Q8, Q9, Q10, Q11, Q12, Q16, Q17, Q23	Area, cube nets, opposite faces, three views, constructing shapes
Reasoning	Q1, Q14, Q15, Q18, Q19, Q20, Q21, Q24	Combinatorics, statement logic, classification & adjacency rules, sequence
Number	Q3, Q6, Q13, Q22	Arithmetic, remainders, divisibility, sum–difference equations, digits

Real Questions and Solutions Explained

Geometry Example – Problem 10

Question:

Solution:

To solve this, look closely at the gray edges of the pyramid. Two gray lines are next to each other, not opposite. That helps rule out options (A), (B), and (E). If Loes looks from above the pyramid, she will see the shape formed by the edges connected to the top point. This shape matches option (C) after rotating it.

Answer: C

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring the gray edges and how they connect.
• Forgetting to imagine how it looks after rotating from a top-down view.

Reasoning Example – Problem 14

Question:

The sum of three numbers is 50. Karin subtracts a secret number from each of these three numbers. She gets 24, 13, and 7 as the results. Which of the following is one of the original three numbers?

(A) 9 (B) 11 (C) 13 (D) 17 (E) 23

Solution:

The sum of the three known results is: 24+13+7=44. But the total of the original numbers is 50. That means the total amount subtracted from the three numbers is: 50−44=6. Since the same secret number was subtracted from each number, that secret number must be: 6÷3=2.

So the original numbers are:

• 24 + 2 = 26
• 13 + 2 = 15
• 7 + 2 = 9

Answer: A

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to guess the secret number randomly without checking the total sum.
• Choosing an answer directly from 24, 13, or 7, forgetting that those are the results after subtraction, not the original numbers.
• Dividing 50 by 3, thinking each number should add up equally, which is not the case here.

Number Example – Problem 3

Question:

Solution:

The result of each box in the grid:

Answer: A

Common Mistakes:

• Counting wrong answers

2020 Math Kangaroo Answer Key

Question	Level 1 & 2	Level 3 & 4
1	D	E
2	E	E
3	A	A
4	E	A
5	A	E
6	D	D
7	E	E
8	D	C
9	C	C
10	C	C
11	E	D
12	C	E
13	B	D
14	A	A
15	B	D
16	D	B
17	D	B
18	D	C
19	C	A
20	C	D
21	B	D
22	E	D
23	C	B
24	B	D

Best Resources to Prepare for Math Kangaroo

Visit our All-in-One Math Kangaroo Hub for free and exclusive preparation materials, including video explanations, worksheets, and topic breakdowns.

About Think Academy

Think Academy, wholly owned by TAL Education Group, specializes in preparing students for the Math Kangaroo competition. Each year, over 300 Think Academy students win Math Kangaroo awards, including 35% of all Level 1 perfect scores nationwide. 7 out of 10 Think participants won national awards in 2025. Supported by world-class resources and expert coaching, we empower students to achieve exceptional results in international mathematics competitions.

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