AMC (American Mathematics Competitions)

Grades

AMC 8: Grade 8 and below; AMC 10: Grade 10 and below; AMC 12: Grade 12 and below

Age

AMC 8: under 15.5 years old on competition day; AMC 10: under 17.5 years old; AMC 12: under 19.5 years old

Citizenship

Open to all students in 50 US states, Canada, and 30+ countries through parallel AMC International program

Prerequisites

No formal prerequisites; students should be comfortable with mathematics at their grade level. AMC 10 covers elementary algebra and geometry; AMC 12 covers full high school curriculum including trigonometry and advanced geometry (no calculus)

Steps

1. Contact your school to see if they are hosting AMC 8, 10, or 12
2. If your school doesn't host, find alternative host at local college/university, math circle, or learning center using MAA's registry
3. Provide host with registration information (name, grade, etc.)
4. Host (competition manager) registers your participation through MAA AMC Platform
5. Host collects payment/fees from participants
6. Arrive on test day with proper materials (pencil, eraser, calculator if allowed)
7. Complete 25-question multiple-choice test in allocated time (40 minutes for AMC 8, 75 minutes for AMC 10/12)
8. Receive scores within 24 hours on AMC Platform; awards reports in 3-4 weeks

Materials Needed

• Pencil and eraser
• Scientific or graphing calculator (for AMC 10/12; not for AMC 8)
• Photo ID (for AIME/USAMO if qualified)
• No scratch paper or notes allowed in test room

Timeline

AMC 10/12 A and B: November 5 and November 13, 2026. AMC 8: January 21-27, 2027. Begin studying 2-3 months before. No direct personal registration with MAA; registration handled through schools/hosts.

Cost

Registration fees determined by competition host institution; typically $2-15 per student depending on host

What Judges Look For

• Correct answers to 25 multiple-choice questions
• Speed and accuracy under timed conditions
• Problem-solving intuition and mathematical reasoning
• Ability to eliminate incorrect answers efficiently

Scoring

Each correct answer: 6 points. Each blank answer: 1.5 points. Each incorrect answer: 0 points. Maximum score: 150 points (25 × 6). AIME qualification cutoff: top 2.5% of AMC 10 scorers (at least) and top 5% of AMC 12 scorers (at least); exact cutoff varies by test difficulty. USAMO/USAJMO qualification based on index: USAMO Index = AMC 12 Score + (20 × AIME Score); USAJMO Index = AMC 10 Score + (20 × AIME Score)

Common Mistakes

• Spending too much time on difficult problems and skipping easier ones
• Not guessing strategically—blank answers give 1.5 points vs 0 for wrong, so guess when unsure
• Memorizing formulas instead of understanding concepts and problem-solving techniques
• Not practicing with time constraints; speed matters significantly
• Ignoring AMC A vs B; taking both same-day versions or wrong level for grade
• Over-relying on calculators instead of mental math and estimation
• Not reviewing past years' problems to understand difficulty progression and question types
• Cramming last-minute instead of consistent preparation over months

Acceptance Rate

Not applicable—all eligible students who register can take it. However, advancement rates: ~2.5% of AMC 10 scorers qualify for AIME; ~5% of AMC 12 scorers qualify for AIME. Top ~6% of AIME scorers reach USAMO; top ~20% of AIME scorers reach USAJMO

Applicants

Over 300,000 students annually across all three levels in US, Canada, and 30+ countries

Winners / Selected

No 'winners' per se—competition recognizes high performers. AIME invitations: top 2.5-5% depending on level. USAMO awards: ~6% Gold, ~12% Silver, ~18% Bronze. USAJMO recognizes ~20%.

• Start preparation 2-3 months before test; consistency beats cramming
• Practice with actual past AMC tests under timed conditions (25+ practice tests ideal)
• Master fundamentals first: arithmetic, basic algebra, geometry formulas before advanced problem-solving
• Learn to estimate and eliminate wrong answers—multiple choice allows process of elimination strategy
• Prioritize easier problems first (questions 1-15), then attempt harder ones (16-25); don't get stuck
• Guess strategically when unsure since blank=1.5 points is better than wrong answer=0 points
• Study problem-solving techniques from Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) books or courses, not just formulas
• Develop mental math skills; calculators are allowed but often not needed and can slow you down
• Take mock tests at realistic pace to build stamina for 75-minute test
• Review wrong answers immediately after practice; understand why each answer is correct
• Join math clubs, study groups, or take prep classes for accountability and peer learning
• Sleep well night before test; entering well-rested matters for problem-solving
• For AIME qualification: focus on speed and accuracy on entire AMC test, then tackle harder problem types

How to Prepare

• Take diagnostic AMC from 2-3 years ago to assess current level
• Review relevant curriculum: AMC 10 requires strong algebra and geometry; AMC 12 adds trigonometry, sequences
• Use Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) books: Introduction to Algebra, Geometry, or Intermediate Algebra/Geometry
• Practice 3-5 past full AMC tests under timed conditions monthly
• Join school math team or math club for group preparation and accountability
• Take online AoPS courses (AMC 8/10/12 prep) or attend math competition camps
• Study problem types by category: number theory, counting/probability, geometry, algebra, sequences
• Work on speed drills with easier problems (1-15) to build confidence
• Learn when/how to use calculator vs. mental math; practice mental approximation
• Do supplementary problem-solving daily (15-30 min) from AoPS book collections
• Review mistakes in detail; identify gaps in understanding vs. time management issues
• Practice guessing strategy; know when blank is better than attempted wrong answer

Resources

• Art of Problem Solving (AoPS): Introduction to Algebra, Geometry, Intermediate Algebra, Precalculus books and online courses
• MAA official website: Past AMC tests with solutions available for free download (maa.org)
• AoPS Community: Free problem database, forums with solutions from top math competitors
• Math competition prep books: 'The Art and Craft of Problem Solving' by Paul Zeitz
• YouTube: Channels dedicated to AMC problem walkthroughs and tips
• Khan Academy: Free videos on algebra, geometry, trigonometry fundamentals
• Local math circles and university-sponsored competition prep programs
• Online platforms: Art of Problem Solving online academy, Beast Academy (game-based math learning)
• Problem collections: AoPS Mock AMC contests, AMC historical archives
• Tutoring: Private math competition tutors (15-30/hour typical cost)

Time Needed

Realistic preparation timeline: 60-100 hours over 2-3 months for competitive AMC 10/12 score (100+). Breakdown: 20-30 hours curriculum review, 30-40 hours practice tests, 10-20 hours problem-solving drills and concept review. For USAMO qualification: 150-300+ hours over full year including summer math camps/programs. Students serious about USAMO start in freshman/sophomore year.

Top AMC scorers typically come from strong math backgrounds with consistent practice. Common characteristics: (1) Regular participation in math competitions since middle school; (2) Completed Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) courses or Prealgebra/Algebra/Geometry curriculum; (3) Practice 5-10 hours/week for 2-3 months before test; (4) Scored 100-150 on AMC 10 or 110-150 on AMC 12; (5) Made it to AIME with score in range of 90-120+ (out of 150); (6) Many USAMO qualifiers have math competition experience since elementary school, not just high school. Top USAMO/USAJMO participants often participate in multiple competitions (AMC, AIME, math olympiads, Putnam for college students) and engage in independent problem-solving beyond school curriculum.

Significant positive impact on college admissions. Admissions officers at selective colleges (Top 50) view AMC/AIME/USAMO participation as strong indicator of mathematical talent and intellectual drive. Specific impacts: (1) AIME qualification (top 2.5-5%) shows strong math skills and can strengthen STEM major applications; (2) USAMO qualification (top 0.5%) is highly prestigious credential, often mentioned by admitted students; (3) Winning or placing high at USAMO is 'hook' for MIT, Caltech, Princeton, and other top math programs; (4) AMC participation alone (even without AIME) shows initiative in STEM; (5) Multiple years of AMC participation demonstrates sustained interest vs. one-time attempt; (6) Selective colleges expect competitive math students to participate in AMC/similar competitions—absence can be seen as lack of intellectual curiosity in math. College essays mentioning how AMC sparked deeper interest in mathematics are effective. However, scoring well is more important than mere participation.

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