The AMC Series (American Mathematics Competitions) is a prestigious set of contests designed to challenge and recognize young mathematical talents. The series, detailed at MAA’s website, comprises three levels: AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12, each targeting different age groups.
AMC 8: Aimed at students in 8th grade and below, this competition features 25 multiple-choice questions, each worth one point. There’s no penalty for incorrect answers. Top performers, scoring in the top 5% (about 18 points), are honored with the “Honor Roll” award, while the elite top 1% (around 22 points) are awarded the “Distinguished Honor Roll.”
AMC 10: This contest, for 10th graders and younger, also consists of 25 questions. Here, correct answers are worth 6 points, unanswered questions 1.5 points, with incorrect answers yielding no points. Scoring above 120 points, which places students in the top 2.5%, earns an invitation to the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). The AMC 10 covers topics including geometry and Algebra 2. Notably, since 2008, the use of calculators has been banned, and the difficulty level has increased. The AMC 10 takes place twice yearly, with each session globally synchronized (AMC 10A and 10B), and does not offer makeup exams.
AMC 12: Similar to AMC 10 in format and scoring, AMC 12 is designed for students in 12th grade and below. Those scoring over 100 points, the top 5%, are invited to the AIME. The AMC 12 encompasses a broader range of topics, including trigonometry, analytical geometry, logarithms, and complex numbers. Like the AMC 10, calculator use has been prohibited since 2008, and the questions have become more challenging. It is also held biannually as AMC 12A and 12B.
AIME and Beyond: Qualification for the AIME through AMC 10 or AMC 12 is a significant achievement in itself. Many universities and corporations recognize AIME scores, and some MIT camps select students based on their AIME qualifications. The combined scores from the AIME and AMC (10 or 12) determine eligibility for advanced competitions like the USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO) and the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO).
USAJMO: Approximately 230 students with the highest combined AIME and AMC 10 scores (calculated as AMC 10 Score + 10 * AIME Score) are invited to participate in the USAJMO. The top achievers here progress to the Red Level National Summer Training (RMOSP).
USAMO: The USAMO invites around 270 students with top AIME and AMC 12 combined scores (AMC 12 Score + 10 * AIME Score). High scorers attend the National Team Summer Training (MOSP), and from this group, six individuals are selected to represent the United States at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), provided they are U.S. citizens or green card holders.
For any student aspiring to excel in mathematics, participating and succeeding in the AMC series represents a significant stepping stone towards achieving that goal.
