What Makes Terry Chew Academy Singapore's Top Math Olympiad Centre

Parents searching for quality Math Olympiad training in Singapore face no shortage of options. Every centre promises results. Every brochure claims excellence. So how do you cut through the noise and find a centre that actually delivers?

Terry Chew Academy was founded in 2016 by best-selling author Mr Terry Chew B.Sc. Since then, it has built a reputation as one of Singapore's most respected Math Olympiad training centres. But reputation alone does not make a centre stand out.

What truly sets TCA apart is a combination of proven methodology, specialist coaches, verifiable results, and resources that have become the gold standard across Southeast Asia.

Let's look at what makes Terry Chew Academy different.

**The RA*CE Framework: Terry Chew's Proven Teaching Methodology**

Every successful Math Olympiad centre needs a clear teaching philosophy. At TCA, that philosophy is the RA*CE Framework, a methodology Mr Terry Chew developed with nearly 2 decades of hands-on research and classroom teaching.

Built on 19 Years of Extensive Research

The RA*CE Framework draws from Singapore MOE's 21st Century Core Competencies. It places critical thinking at the centre of mathematics education, teaching students to make connections between different topics rather than treating each chapter as an isolated unit.

This is not about memorising formulas or drilling through endless practice papers. Students learn to think through problems, understand why solutions work, and transfer their understanding to unfamiliar or restructured questions — even when the presentation changes.

28 Essential Problem-Solving Strategies and Tools

Through years of refining his approach, Mr Terry Chew identified 28 essential problem-solving strategies that form the core of TCA's curriculum. These include techniques such as:

Excess & Shortage for systematic comparison problems
Method of Assumption for strategic guess-and-check scenarios
Working Backwards for reverse-engineering solutions

What makes these strategies valuable is their dual application. They work for Math Olympiad competitions, and they work equally well for challenging PSLE problem sums. Students gain an edge in both settings.

**Three Pillars of the RA*CE Framework**

Terry Chew Academy's RACE Framework - Roadmap to A/Al1, Critical Thinking, Exam Mastery

The framework is structured around three core pillars:

Roadmap to A/AL1*: Every student receives a personalised assessment. Coaches identify strengths and weaknesses, then create a customised learning path. This targeted approach means students get support exactly where they need it.

Critical Thinking: TCA coaches use structured visual representations (such as models, diagrams, and strategic layouts), real-life contexts, and technology-enhanced learning to help students think beyond standard methods. The goal is to develop the ability to tackle cross-topic problems and unfamiliar question formats with confidence.

Exam Mastery: Through exam simulation and peak performance training, students learn to perform under pressure. This systematic preparation has helped TCA develop its comprehensive suite of 28 problem-solving strategies.

Proven Track Record Since 2016

Claims are easy to make. Results are harder to deliver. Terry Chew Academy backs up its promises with numbers that parents can verify.

Verified Student Achievement Statistics

Since 2016, TCA has maintained an impressive track record:

95% of students achieve a minimum 2-grade improvement in mainstream mathematics
60% winning rate in Maths Olympiad competitions
At least 60% of students win GOLD or SILVER medals in prestigious competitions

These are not vague marketing claims. They represent documented outcomes from years of consistent performance.

Students Accepted to Top Schools

TCA's training has helped hundreds of students gain admission to Singapore's most competitive secondary schools:

Raffles Institution
ACS (Independent)
NUS High School of Maths and Science
Nanyang Girls' High School
Hwa Chong Institution

When students consistently gain entry to elite schools, it speaks to the quality of preparation they receive.

Competitions Where TCA Students Excel

TCA students compete and win across a wide range of local and international competitions:

SMO (Singapore Mathematical Olympiad)
NMOS (National Mathematical Olympiad of Singapore)
SEAMO (Southeast Asian Mathematical Olympiad)
AMC8 & AMC10 (American Mathematics Competition)
SASMO (Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad)
SMOPS (Singapore Mathematical Olympiad for Primary Schools)
SMKC (Singapore Math Kangaroo Contest)
RMO (Raffles Mathematical Olympiad)
Mathlympics (Annual mathematics competition)

This broad competition coverage ensures students are prepared no matter which events they choose to enter. For details on competition dates and eligibility, visit our Math Olympiad competition calendar.

How TCA Differs from Traditional Tuition

Many parents wonder why specialised Math Olympiad training matters when regular tuition is available. The difference comes down to approach.

Problem-Solving Skills vs Rote Memorisation

Traditional tuition often focuses on drilling students with practice questions and memorising solution methods. This can produce short-term results, but it does not build the deeper thinking skills needed for truly challenging problems.

At TCA, the focus is on teaching students how to find solutions, not just how to reproduce memorised answers. Students learn transferable strategies that work across different question types.

Olympiad Skills Applied to School Curriculum

One major advantage of Math Olympiad training at TCA is its direct relevance to school examinations. Techniques like Excess & Shortage, Method of Assumption, and Working Backwards are powerful tools for tackling difficult PSLE problem sums.

As school examination questions become more complex and less straightforward, TCA-trained students stay ahead because they have the thinking skills to approach unfamiliar problems.

These same skills extend well beyond the classroom, preparing students to think independently, adapt to new challenges, and thrive in higher education and an ever-changing real world.

Research-Backed, Continuously Updated Curriculum

TCA's curriculum does not remain static. It is updated yearly with new question styles, concepts, and problem-solving strategies to keep pace with the latest competition trends and examination patterns.

To learn more about how Math Olympiad develops critical thinking skills, explore our detailed guide on the benefits of mathematical enrichment.

The Gold Standard in Math Olympiad Resources

Beyond classroom instruction, Terry Chew Academy stands out because of its founder's contribution to Math Olympiad education across the region.

"Unleash the Maths Olympian in You!" Book Series

Mr Terry Chew B.Sc was the first author in Singapore to publish a Maths Olympiad workbook series, released in 2007. The series "Unleash the Maths Olympian in You!" has become the gold standard for Math Olympiad preparation across Southeast Asia and China.

These books have been:

Translated into more than 3 languages
Used in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, China, Spain, and the USA
Recognised as essential resources for competition preparation

"Wicked Mathematics" for PSLE Excellence

For mainstream students targeting A*/AL1 in PSLE, Mr Terry Chew authored "Wicked Mathematics". This book features challenging questions that equip students with the problem-solving strategies needed for PSLE success.

This combination of competition-focused and school-focused resources gives TCA students access to comprehensive preparation materials.

Ready to Give Your Child the Advantage?

Terry Chew Academy offers a unique combination of proven methodology, experienced specialist coaches, and a track record that few centres can match. Whether your child aims to excel in Math Olympiad competitions, achieve top grades in school examinations, or both, TCA provides the foundation for success.

What sets TCA apart: