AMC 8/10/12 FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about the AMC exams.
Why take the AMC 8?
The AMC 8 is for middle school students that are interested in developing a proficiency for mathematics and analytical thinking. The journey that begins with the AMC 8 can lead to further mathematics competitions (such as the AMC 10 and 12), an improved college application, or assistance in future careers. Students apply the skills they already learn in middle school math class to unique challenges that test their problem solving and critical reasoning.
What's on the AMC 8?
The material covered on the AMC 8 should be included in a typical middle school mathematics curriculum, but is not usually covered at this level of depth. 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. Some of the more challenging questions may involve linear or quadratic functions and equations, coordinate geometry, and other topics traditionally covered in a beginning algebra course.
AMC 8 Key stats
Questions
25
Length
40 minutes
Format
Multiple choice
Eligibility
Children in grade 8 or below and under 14.5 years of age on the day of the competition
Why take the AMC 10?
The AMC 10 is for students in the first half of high school that are interested in developing a proficiency for mathematics and potentially competing in the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination) for a spot on the US Math Olympiad Team. Even students who don't make it to the AIME find that the AMC 10 is a great opportunity for them to further their interest in mathematics, tackle advanced problems, and bolster their college application.
What's on the AMC 10?
The material covered on the AMC 10 is often included in a typical grade 9 and grade 10 mathematics curriculum, but almost never at this level of depth. Possible topics include (but are not limited to): elementary algebra, basic geometry knowledge, the Pythagorean Theorem, area and volume formulas, elementary number theory, and elementary probability.
What is NOT included in the AMC 10 is: trigonometry, advanced algebra, advanced geometry, precalculus, or calculus.
AMC 10 Key stats
Questions
25
Length
75 minutes
Format
Multiple choice
Eligibility
Children in grade 10 or below and under 17.5 years of age on the day of the competition
Why take the AMC 12?
The AMC 12 is for high school students that are interested in developing a proficiency for mathematics and potentially competing in the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination) for a spot on the US Math Olympiad Team. Even students who don't make it to the AIME find that the AMC 12 is a great opportunity for them to further their interest in mathematics, tackle advanced problems, and significantly bolster their college application. The AMC 12 is particularly useful for supporting applications to STEM-focused programs at undergraduate universities, especially as the ACT and SAT continue to become less useful to elite universities' admissions departments.
What's on the AMC 12?
Much of the material covered on the AMC 12 is included in most high school mathematics curricula through grade 12. However, almost no schools cover all this material at this level of depth. Possible topics include (but are not limited to): elementary algebra, first- and second-year geometry, elementary number theory, elementary probability, trigonometry, advanced algebra, advanced geometry, and precalculus. Calculus is never included.
AMC 12 Key stats
Questions
25
Length
75 minutes
Format
Multiple choice
Eligibility
Children in grade 12 or below and under 19.5 years of age on the day of the competition
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