2024 New Jersey Abacus Bee
October 27, 2024
Edison, New Jersey

The APH Abacus Bee® is a two-part mathematics contest for blind and low vision children in grades 1-12. The competition is designed to encourage and reward students to fine-tune their mathematical skills.  As coordinator of the New Jersey Regional Abacus Bee, VISTAS welcomes  participants from New Jersey and neighboring states to participate in this friendly, academic competition. 

Commonly Asked Questions

Who can participate?

Blind and low vision students, ages 3 – 21 years who use an abacus, mental math, finger math, counting cubes/manipulatives.

How does the Abacus Bee work?

Students are grouped in six competition levels that complete three or four rounds of 20- to 30-minute contests. There is an optional dictation round that is held with parents and other audience members watching. Rovers, participants attending and participating for exposure to the contest, are provided testing materials but are not a part of the competition for Finals.  

The contests are offered in large print, Nemeth, and UEB. Students may use an abacus, mental math, or counting manipulatives to solve problems. Students can record their answers with a manual brailler, or paper and pen/marker. Calculators and written computations are not allowed. 

Check out these demo videos from different Abacus Bee practice contests:

• Starters practice problems
• Flyers practice problems
• Movers practice problems
• Blasters practice problems 

What skills do participants need to have?

• Read addition, subtraction, multiplication, and/or math problems in large print or braille (type of problem depends on student level). Record their answers in print or braille.
• Write or braille their first/last name, category name and round at the top of each page (if they can only spell their name, that’s fine!).
• Write or braille an itemized list (problem letters a, b, c, d, etc.) and answer next to the problem letter.
• Solve calculations using an abacus, mental math, and/or counting cubes or other math manipulatives.
• For the optional dictation round, listen to a string of numbers and operations and mentally calculate the answer or solve on the abacus and record their answers in the same manner as above.

How does a student know which contest level is appropriate for them?

A TVI or parent can administer an Abacus Bee placement test to determine the student’s contest level. Follow the links to access placement test directions, and answers:

• Placement Test Directions 
• Placement Tests to print or emboss: Print | Nemeth | UEB 
• Placement Test Answers 

How can students prepare for the Abacus Bee?

• Practice calculating math problems using an abacus on their own, with a family member, or with a TVI.
• Keep their mental math skills sharp with real life practice every day.

How do I sign up my child?

Complete and submit the registration form no later than October 11, 2024

Questions? For more info, email info@vistaseducation.com or call 732-835-6672

Resources for learning how to use the abacus

• Watch APH “Oreos and Abaci” ExCEL Summer Camp Webinars. 
• Watch Iowa Educational Services cranmer abacus training video series.  How do I register for the Abacus Bee?