Pre-algebra teacher Regina Hobson has been administering the Virginia Mathematics League contest for every one of her 14 years at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy.

At a designated time each February, sixth- and seventh-grade students come together and take the test for their grade level.

The top five scores for each level are submitted to the contest.

“There is no coaching,” Hobson said, explaining the 35-question paper is revealed right before the students sit the 30-minute test.

“They can use calculators,” she added.

This year, Hobson said, the students achieved NSA’s best result of all her time teaching there.

The five highest student scores at each grade level are also combined for a team score, and Hobson’s seventh-graders placed first in the region and 12th in the state.

The region includes Chesterfield County, Hopewell, Lynchburg, Newport News, Northampton County, Poquoson, Powhatan County and Suffolk.

Jack Hutchinson placed first in the region, and Simon Dowd came in second.

For the NSA sixth-graders, math teacher Mary Hunter Hardison administered the test. The team placed second in the region and 24th in the state.

Justice Walter placed second in the region, and Jenna Elswick and Katy Luzzatto tied for fourth.

“This year we did really, really well,” Hobson said. “We normally have placements, but we never had first and second in the region. So it’s a good year.”

Simon improved his result after placing third as a sixth-grader last year. “I just kind of try and pay attention in math class,” he said of how he did it.

Katy, who sat it for the first time, said the test was “a little bit easier than I expected.” Justice said having only 30 minutes was a little bit different. “I didn’t get to answer four questions,” she said. “It felt a little different than answering everything.”

Jack said he appreciated the opportunity to measure his math smarts against kids in other schools.

“It makes you feel good about yourself,” he said. “Sometimes people get a little disinterested, but it can really put you back on track.”

For her part, Jenna said she was a little bit surprised by her result. “I think I did pretty well,” she said.