The American Mathematics Competitions (AMCs) are the first of a series of competitions in secondary school mathematics sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) that determine the United States of America's team for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). The selection process takes place over the course of roughly five stages. At the last stage, the US selects six members to form the IMO team.

There are three AMC competitions held each year:

  • the AMC 8, for students under the age of 14.5 and in grades 8 and below
  • the AMC 10, for students under the age of 17.5 and in grades 10 and below
  • the AMC 12, for students under the age of 19.5 and in grades 12 and below

The AMC 8 tests mathematics through the 8th grade curriculum.

Students who perform well on the AMC 10 or AMC 12 competitions are invited to participate in the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). Students who perform exceptionally well on the AMC 12 and AIME are invited to the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), while students who perform exceptionally well on the AMC 10 and AIME are invited to United States of America Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO). Students who do exceptionally well on the USAMO (typically around 45 students based on score and grade level) and USAJMO (typically around the top 15 students) are invited to attend the Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP).

History

The AMC contest series includes the American Mathematics Contest 8 (AMC 8) (formerly the American Junior High School Mathematics Examination) for students in grades 8 and below, begun in 1985; the American Mathematics Contest 10 (AMC 10), for students in grades 10 and below, begun in 2000; the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME), begun in 1983; and the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), begun in 1972.

High scores on the AMC 10 or 12 can qualify the participant for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). Since 2002, two AMC 10/12's are offered annually (known as the AMC 10/12A and AMC 10/12B) Students are eligible to compete in an A competition and a B competition, (e.g., the AMC 10A and the AMC 12B), though they may not take both the AMC 10 and AMC 12 from the same date.

Rankings

Based on score achieved:

  • Distinguished Honor Roll (DHR - Top 1%)
  • Historically 112.5–138 for AMC 10
  • Historically 106.5–150 for AMC 12
  • AIME Floor
  • Historically ~96-105 for AMC 10 (since 2020, previously ~120)
  • Historically ~87-100.5 for AMC 12 (since 2020, previously ~95)

See also

  • American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME)
  • United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO)
  • Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP)
  • International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
  • List of mathematics competitions
  • Computational mathematics

References