1. What is Abacus/ Soroban/ Anzan?
An Abacus or Soroban is a manual aid to calculate that consists of movable beads on a series of sticks within a wooden frame. Anzan is the Japanese method of doing Mental Maths by using an abstract image ofthe abacus. No physical abacus is used.
2. What is GAJSMA? How different is it from other organizations?
Global Association of Japanese Soroban and Mental Arithmetic (GAJSMA) is a non-governmental and non-profitable service organization to propagate and provide effective education of Japanese Soroban mathematics learning across the world.
It introduces an improvised mental math program with an intention to promote abacus education across over 20 countries. Not only students but GAJSMA also organizes the certification training program to the teachers. It gives opportunity by hosting National and International Competitions along with grading examinations for students every year.
3. What Programmes are offered?
Abacus, Mental maths, Vedic maths, and Meta Brain are the educational programs offered by GAJSMA.
4. How does GAJSMA’s program help for skill development?
It helps in the overall development of children, sharpens mathematical and academic skills, improves concentration and memory and encourages time management with emotional intelligence and judgment ability.
5. What type of membership is offered?
Each member of GAJSMA enjoys certain rights as to non-member. They are eligible to take part in national and international events (grading examinations and competitions). Additionally, GAJSMA felicitates the members on the basis of their contribution to the fraternity. The award ceremony takes place during any of the decided International events and the qualifiers to receive awards are from GAJSMA members across the world.
(A) School/Institute Membership (B)District Membership (C)State Membership(D) Organisation Membership are the memberships offered. The membership and its fees are different for each mentioned category.
6. What should be the age to learn abacus?
Children falling in the age group between 4 to 14 years can take advantage of the program.
7. Does the course have certain levels or categories?
Yes, the levels are categorically designed from Kindergarten to 9th Grade. In all, there are 17 Levels/Kyu.
8. What categories are there in Abacus?
Kindergarten, Primary Courses, and Intermediate Course are different categories. Each category has a different course program and exam.
9. Is it mandatory to acquire the Student Kit?
Yes, it is mandatory to acquire the student kit as it will have the abacus tool, practice book, stationary. The cost of the Student’s kit will depend on the course selected.
10. What is the duration of each level?
The duration of the level depends on the age and course selected. Each level is marked clear after an exam only when the student qualifies it.
11. Are there any programs for Teacher’ training?
Yes, there are courses for teachers also. There are advanced and basic Teacher’s Certification Courses.The basic level training courses are conducted uptoto 7 days depending on the requirements of the batch. The advanced levels will take upto 4days assuming the teacher acquainted with a basic level. All the courses are certified programs.
12. What is the difference between Grading Exam and Competition?
Grading Exam is an eligibility test for National and International Competitions conducted at institutes which will allow students to participate in Competitions. National and International Competitions are conducted by GAJSMA inviting all the grade examinations’ qualifiers to participate from various GAJSMA country members.
13. Can a school have your trained teacher to teach students?
Yes, We have tie-ups with schools where our trainers go and teach students' Abacus. For more information please send us a query.
14. Is there any specific type of paper to choose for competitions by students?
Soroban (Abacus) and Anzan (Mental Maths) are two types of papers to be chosen collectively or either. Therefore, competitors get a choice to select. The students must go through with all the rules before taking any exam.
15. My child is not doing well with maths. How will the course help him to improve?
Our methodology and programs are child-centered hence the things taught are really easy to understand. Also, Abacus learning helps to sharpen their brain through the kinaesthetic process on the neurological system to the whole-brain learning process, which helps to achieve meta-state of mind in learning. So, surely the learning and explaining skills of every child in the classroom are obtained. Not only mathematics with this skill development of Abacus education will help the child to improve but it will also progress the overall academic skills.
16. Why are grading examinations necessary? Is it mandatory for a child to take?
The grading exams help to equalize the quality and quantum of learning of students from the various schools/institutes. So, every student at each level has to compete in national and international competitions.
17. My child is already an A student in maths. Is there any benefit to joining the course?
Absolutely! A student who has already demonstrated advanced ability in mathematics will still benefit greatly from learning the Abacus method. We teach students new techniques and develop the ability to do calculations work; enable them to do their work faster and more accurately. That’s powerful knowledge to take forward into secondary school and beyond. The skills are highly beneficial to every such student in secondary education as well.
18. How are National and International competitions beneficial?
The competitions are organized to provide opportunities to students for presenting them on a platform where participants are from different parts of the world. Attending such competitive examination helps to improve the student’s confidence level and self-analytical skills.
With continuous and dedicated Abacus learning, students get an amazing holdin basic mathematics and start developing a friendly approach in their other academic subjects. The competitions are just to measure the progress that each student makes throughout.
19. What privileges are offered to GAJSMA members?
GAJSMA Members can register their students for online training and can access our online portal for various tasks. The online programs available to facilitate the teachers, students, institutes and management are:-
Practice to Students (digits as well as beads)
Homework Submission and Control
Chat facilities between Teachers and Students
Evaluation of Homework and Reporting
Administrative Control
Inventory Check
Accounts Management
Competition and its related activities update
20. Are there Mobile Applications available to practice Abacus and Mental Arithmetic?
Yes, Android and IOS Apps are available to practice. Also, students who attend National and International Competitions can login to compete for stage performances. The students who perform well are felicitated by Special Awards.
21. Can we choose either an online or offline portal to take exams?
GAJSMA Grading Examinations are conducted either by online or offline as per your convenience. The student may opt for either of the options.
22. How to pay the fee for membership and training?
The payments can be done either online or by cash deposits at the respective bank.
23. Is membership to be availed one time?
Membership is renewable every year. Every year will have a fresh certificate addressing the member who gets the renewal.
24. Can GAJSMA Logo be used in the syllabus books?
Yes, The GAJSMA logo can be used by GAJSMA members only for any activity theta are organized.
25. What is the criterion to register for National and International Competitions?
Certificates of GAJSMA National and International Grading Examinations are mandatory to take part in Competition nationally and Internationally respectively.