Member services and prices
What the PAMA Secretariat offers members, and what it costs. Order any item on its own, or bundle several in a medium- or long-term contract, the most cost-effective option.
Membership and exams
Annual membership
US$1,000 a year
Runs 1 January to 31 December. Paid at the PAMA International Competition and Meeting, or by wire transfer to the Secretariat if you cannot attend.
Certification exams
Each member runs at least 500 exams a year. Students may sit the exam twice a calendar year, registering for abacus and mental arithmetic separately and at different levels if they wish. Students start from Level 12, teachers from Level 7. Passing a subject earns its certificate.
You set your own registration fee; Taiwan, for example, charges US$10 per subject.
Chairperson certificate
Included
Presented to each member’s chairperson at the opening ceremony of the International Competition and Annual Meeting. Valid 1 August to 31 July of the following year.
Loyalty points
1 point = US$100
Earn points for:
- each year of membership (1)
- 500 or more exams in a year (2), fewer than 500 (1)
- hosting the International Competition and Meeting (3–5, by post-event rating)
- a local training session by the Secretariat (3), an online session (2), a course in Taiwan (1)
- every 30 professional instructor certificates (1)
- an expert-verified essay on abacus or mental arithmetic: 500–1,000 words (1), over 1,000 (2)
Spend them on any service here except the membership fee, and on materials and videos up to Level 6 (episodes 1–16). Discounts apply to base prices only. Points can’t be transferred and end if you leave PAMA. A member with 50 points is appointed to the PAMA board.
Teaching materials
PAMA workbooks: 65 volumes
from US$300 a book
35 abacus and 30 mental arithmetic volumes, split into classroom teaching, exam preparation and competition practice, matching the PAMA syllabus, exam and competition. Prices are for the right to use each book, from US$300 a book; all 65 books cost US$20,000.
The Secretariat suggests two orders: the first 30 books (up to Level 5) in year one, the other 35 in year two. You may change the covers but must keep the PAMA logo.
Instruction videos: 30 episodes
from US$150 an episode
Recorded by founder Mr. David Liao, each over 30 minutes, from basic finger movements to omission techniques and square roots. In Chinese and English. Later episodes require the earlier ones.
Episodes 1–10 US$200 each Episodes 11–20 US$175 each Episodes 21–30 US$150 each All 30 episodes US$5,000 Classroom handouts: 72 pages
US$2,000
Two 36-page stages of finger-movement practice: one-digit (4 to 10 rows) and two-digit (3 to 6 rows), each covering basic movement, 5’s and 10’s complements and mixed formulae. Enough for a year: six months of addition and subtraction, then six months of advanced mental arithmetic.
Training and certification
Instructor training course
US$6,000–8,000 on site
Five phases, each harder than the last. For a session in your country:
- US$6,000–8,000 depending on group size; the Secretariat quotes the exact fee
- plus return flights for two, accommodation, local transport and meals
- plus venue, interpreters, staff and other costs
Online instead, when travel isn’t possible or there are only 20 teachers: 20 hours per phase over three days, US$4,000 a session.
Professional instructor certification
US$30–60
Four levels that follow the training: one-star US$30, two-star US$40, three-star US$50, four-star US$60. Candidates pass an exam and an in-person demonstration.
Free for members
Online discussion panels
Free for two years
Six a year, 90–100 minutes, in Chinese, English, Russian, Arabic and Spanish: an instruction video, an expert talk, discussion and members’ experience. Ten panels earn the PAMA Panel Discussion certificate.
Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Mini-Encyclopedia
Free
Short articles (1,000–3,000 words) answering students’ and parents’ questions, one sent each month.
Online learning platform
Free
Online competition in the international format, plus online exams and practice for Levels 12 to 6.
Founder’s training compilation
Gift
Mr. David Liao’s articles from 40 years of instructor training, given to members of five years with a three-star instructor or professional trainer.
Terms of purchase
- After you place an order, wire the payment to PAMA. The Secretariat sends the print-ready files once payment is confirmed.
- Files are licensed for use by your own company in one country. PAMA keeps the copyright; files may not be resold to other companies or countries. A violation costs five times the original price.
- Branches or franchisees of the same company in other countries get 30% off.
- Trust and honesty matter most. Respecting copyright keeps people and investment coming into the field.