American Mathematics Contest

About AMC

The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) are the first of a series of competitions in secondary school mathematics that determine the United States team for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). The selection process takes place over the course of roughly four stages. At the last stage, the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program (MOP), the United States coaches select six members to form the IMO team. The United States Math Team of 1994 is the first of the only two teams ever to achieve a perfect score (all six members earned perfect marks), and is colloquially known as the “dream team”. There are three levels:

1. AMC 8 for students under the age of 14.5 and in grades 8 and below.
2. AMC 10 for students under the age of 17.5 and in grades 10 and below.
3. AMC 12 for students under the age of 19.5 and in grades 12 and below.

Students who perform well on the AMC 10 or AMC 12 competitions are invited to participate in the prestigious American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). Students who perform well on the AIME are then invited to the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) or United States of America Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO). Students who do exceptionally well on the USAMO (typically around 30 students) are invited to go to the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program (MOSP or more commonly, MOP), and six students are selected from the top twelve scorers on the USAMO (through yet another competition, the Team Selection Test (TST)) to form the United States International Math Olympiad Team.

AMC can be attended by students all over the world. Mathematical Association of America arranges these exams throughout the world.

AMC 8

The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute, multiple-choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development of problem-solving skills. The AMC 8 provides an opportunity for middle school students to develop positive attitudes towards analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers. Students apply classroom skills to unique problem-solving challenges in a low-stress and friendly environment.

Curriculum

The material covered on the AMC 8 includes topics from a typical middle school mathematics curriculum. Possible topics include but are not limited to: counting and probability, estimation, proportional reasoning, elementary geometry including the Pythagorean Theorem, spatial visualization, everyday applications, and reading and interpreting graphs and tables. In addition, some of the later questions may involve linear or quadratic functions and equations, coordinate geometry, and other topics traditionally covered in a beginning algebra course.

AMC 10 and AMC 12

The AMC 10 and AMC 12 are both 25-question, 75-minute, multiple-choice examinations in high school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills. The AMC 10 is for students in 10th grade and below and covers the high school curriculum up to 10th grade. Students in grade 10 or below and under 17.5 years of age on the day of the contest can take the AMC 10. The AMC 12 covers the entire high school curriculum, including trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry, but excluding calculus. Students in grade 12 or below and under 19.5 years of age on the day of the contest can take the AMC 12. The AMC 10/12 provides an opportunity for high school students to develop positive attitudes towards analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers. The AMC 10/12 is the first in a series of competitions that eventually lead all the way to the International Mathematical Olympiad . High scores on the AMC 10 or 12 can qualify the participant for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). On the AMC 10, the top 2.5% make it, typically around 100 to 115 points. On the AMC 12, the top 5% make it, typically around 85 to 95 points. Although the cut off varies year to year.

American invitational mathematics Exam

The American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) is a challenging competition offered for those who excelled on the AMC 10 and/or AMC 12. The AIME is a 15-question, 3-hour examination, in which each answer is an integer number between 0 to 999. The questions on the AIME are much more difficult than those on the AMC 10 and AMC 12. The AIME is the second of two tests used to determine qualification for the United States Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) or USAJMO, the first being the AMC. A student’s score on the AIME is used in combination with their score on the AMC to determine eligibility for the USAMO or USAJMO. A student’s score on the AMC is added to 10 times their score on the AIME.

USA Mathematical Olympiad and Junior Mathematical Olympiad

The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) and the United States of America Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO) are six-question, two-day, 9-hour essay/proof examinations. The top-scoring AMC 12 participants (based on a combination of AMC 12 and AIME scores) are invited to take the USAMO. The top-scoring AMC 10 participants (based on a combination of AMC 10 and AIME score) are invited to take the USAJMO. U.S. citizens and students studying in the United States and Canada (with qualifying scores) are eligible to take the USAMO and USAJMO. The MAA AMC champions inclusivity within our program and competitions. As we work towards creating a mathematical community to empower students of all genders, we invite the top-scoring AMC female students to our USA(J)MO each year. These students are placed on an ambitious path to potentially qualify for the Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP), European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO), and ultimately the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).

For the USAMO, the AMC awards Gold prizes to at least approximately 6%, Silver to at least approximately 12%, and Bronze to at least approximately 18% of competitors. For the USAJMO, we will continue to name winners but will increase recognition to at least 20% of contestants. For both USAMO and USAJMO, each additional contestant with 14 points or more will receive an Honorable Mention distinction. Each year, the Student Selection Committee will decide the exact percentages and number of awards. Preparation

From The Team

Epsilon-Delta Mathematics Circle powered by Math-bees runs a extensive mathematics program to prepare students to find their gift of Mathematics. Our fantastic Olympiad program guides the students on their dreams of being successful at AMC, AIME and USAMO/USAJMO and finally IMO for their countries along with being a Mathematician. Check out our Programs on the programs page.