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AMC (American Mathematics Competitions) is a series of math contests run by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). An AMC award is a clear plus on an application for STEM programs at US universities.
Real scores · Real teachers · Real results — teachers hold at least IELTS 8.0 or SAT 1500, and international programmes are taught by PhD and Master's holders.
The AMC (American Mathematics Competitions) is a series of math contests run by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA): AMC 8 for middle school, AMC 10 and AMC 12 for high school; top scorers are invited to take the AIME. An AMC award is clear evidence of math ability in a US STEM application.
AMC 10/12 scores and an AIME invitation are maths ability measured by a standardised competition of the Mathematical Association of America — clearer than any self-description.
25 multiple-choice questions, no calculator — speed and how you see the problem decide your score, not memorised formulas.
AMC 10/12 gives points for blank answers, so knowing when to stop is also a skill — see how scoring works in the section below.
Students who took TIMO in primary school move on to AMC 8 and then AMC 10/12 — the same way of thinking, with gradually increasing difficulty.
AMC 8 is scored 0–25 (1 point per correct answer). AMC 10 and AMC 12 are scored 0–150 (6 for correct, 1.5 for blank, 0 for wrong). AIME has 15 questions with integer answers from 0 to 999. The MAA does not convert scores to other scales; award cut-offs are published for each competition. For AMC 10/12 the MAA publishes 3 cut-offs: AIME qualification, Honor Roll Distinction and Distinction (table below: 2025-26 competition, held Nov 2025).
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The MAA lists the benefits of the AMC as including an advantage in college applications and preparation for STEM fields. The MAA does not present the AMC as an admission requirement; it is an academic achievement that can be included in an application.
Source ↗AMC 10/12 is the first step in the selection pathway for the US teams at the IMO and EGMO: reach the cut-off and you are invited to AIME, then USAMO/USAJMO, the MOP camp and the TSTs. AIME 2027 and USAMO/USAJMO are held at test sites in the US and Canada; candidates in the international AMC programme follow the policy of their country's International Group Leader.
Source ↗More than 300,000 students from 50 states and over 30 countries take the AMC each year (per the MAA); awards/certificates are issued by the MAA.
Source ↗Each school year: AMC 10/12 is held in November (two dates, A and B), AMC 8 within one week in late January, AIME in early February, USAMO/USAJMO in March. For 2026-27: AMC 10/12 A on 5 Nov 2026, B on 13 Nov 2026; AMC 8 on 21–27 Jan 2027; AIME on 5–6 Feb 2027; USAMO/USAJMO on 20–21 Mar 2027.
The MAA does not let students outside the US/Canada register directly; they go through the International Group Leader (IGL) of their country of residence. The MAA's AMC International page (2025-26 IGL list) names Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lê Anh Vinh (Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences) as the IGL for Vietnam. On amcvietnam.edu.vn, Edmicro Education Co., Ltd. describes itself as the MAA's representative organising AMC/AIME in Vietnam since the 2020-2021 school year; the MAA website does not name Edmicro. The test is held at centralised test sites nationwide, with bilingual English–Vietnamese papers; where centralised testing is not possible, it is taken online with Zoom proctoring.
In Vietnam, the organising committee has announced only one AMC 10/12 date (5 Nov 2026, the same day as paper A); there has been no announcement about paper B.
According to the organising committee's website, the main awards carry MAA certificate names (Distinction — perfect score, AMC 8 only; Honor Roll of Distinction — top 1%; Honor Roll — top 5%) along with Gold/Silver medals (a trophy for Distinction) and Onluyen.vn scholarships; secondary awards include Achievement (AMC 8: Grade 6 or below; AMC 10/12: Grade 8 or below), Bronze medals for the top 6–10% in Vietnam, school-level First/Second/Third prizes, and Honourable Mention. Medals, trophies and scholarships are awards from the local organising committee, not from the MAA.
The grade eligibility set by the Vietnam organising committee is narrower than the MAA rules (MAA: AMC 10 for Grade 10 and below, AMC 12 for Grade 12 and below).
The AIME section on the AMC 10/12 page of the Vietnam organising committee still describes the old rules (3 hours, percentage-based cut-offs). How students in Vietnam will take AIME 2027 (now that the MAA is moving AIME to Pearson centres in the US/Canada) has not been announced — ask the organising committee directly.
AMC 8 · AMC 10 · AMC 12
AIME (invitational round) — arrangements for Vietnamese students in 2027 have not been announced; USAMO/USAJMO are held in the US/Canada.
| Date | Content |
|---|---|
| Thursday 5 Nov 2026 | AMC 10 A · AMC 12 A |
| Friday 13 Nov 2026 | AMC 10 B · AMC 12 B |
| Thursday 21 Jan – Wednesday 27 Jan 2027 | AMC 8 (the organiser chooses a day within the competition week) |
| Friday 5 Feb or Saturday 6 Feb 2027 | AIME (invited candidates only; at Pearson centres in the US/Canada) |
| Saturday 20 Mar – Sunday 21 Mar 2027 | USAMO / USAJMO (invitation only) |
In Vietnam (Edmicro organising committee): the official AMC 10/12 exam is expected on Thursday 5 Nov 2026; AMC 8 is expected on Sunday 24 Jan 2027.
Institution registration deadlines (US/Canada) for AMC 10/12: early bird 30 Sep 2026, regular 15 Oct 2026, late 28 Oct 2026 (returning CMs only). AMC 8: 28 Oct 2026, 5 Jan 2027, 14 Jan 2027.
Problems may not be discussed publicly before 8 am US Eastern Time the following day (AMC 8: after the competition week ends).
| Date | Content |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 5 Nov 2025 | AMC 10 A · AMC 12 A |
| Thursday 13 Nov 2025 | AMC 10 B · AMC 12 B |
| Thursday 22 Jan – Wednesday 28 Jan 2026 | AMC 8 |
| Thursday 5 Feb 2026 | AIME I |
| Wednesday 11 Feb 2026 | AIME II (alternate paper) |
| Saturday 21 Mar – Sunday 22 Mar 2026 | USAMO / USAJMO |
AIME cut-offs for this cycle were announced on 15 Dec 2025 (see the score table).
| Item | 2026–27 | 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|
| Organiser registration fee (per AMC 8 / AMC 10 / AMC 12 competition) — early bird | 55 USD | 55 USD |
| Organiser registration fee — regular deadline | 75 USD | 75 USD |
| Organiser registration fee — late deadline (returning CMs only) | 115 USD | 115 USD |
| Pack of 10 AMC 10 or AMC 12 entries (for the A or B date) | 30 USD | 30 USD |
| Pack of 10 AMC 8 entries | 25 USD | 25 USD |
| AIME (candidates pay Pearson) | 85 USD + tax (where applicable) | Not published on any readable MAA page |
| In Vietnam (Edmicro organising committee) — AMC 8 or AMC 10/12 | VND 400,000/candidate | — |
Students/parents in the US/Canada do NOT register directly with the MAA; the school/institution (Competition Manager) registers and buys entries. Institutions may charge a small fee to cover administration costs.
The MAA does not refund or exchange entries once ordered.
A student sitting both A and B needs 2 places.
Fees in Vietnam are set by the local organising committee and are non-refundable except in cases of force majeure.
8020 runs a placement assessment, then places you at the right AMC level for your grade and study-abroad goals; 1-on-1 tutoring or small groups.
Arithmetic, basic algebra, counting and probability, and geometry up to the end of Grade 8.
Get the first 15–20 questions completely right, then practise the group of hard questions at the end of the test.
Adds logarithms, trigonometry, complex numbers and polynomials — best to be solid on AMC 10 first.
Click each exam to see who it is for, number of questions, timing, scoring, the cut-off for an invitation to the next round, and past papers.
| Section | Number of questions | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single sectionMiddle school maths: counting and probability, estimation, ratios, elementary geometry (including the Pythagorean theorem), spatial visualisation, reading graphs/tables; the last questions may touch on early algebra (linear and quadratic functions, coordinate geometry). | 25 | 40 minutes | 25 points maximum |
25 five-option multiple-choice questions; the registered school/test site chooses computer-based testing (Digital Administration, on the maa.edvistas.com platform) or paper testing with scanned answer sheets (Print & Scan). Remote proctoring is not allowed — students must sit the test on the organiser's premises.
No calculators. Only blank scratch paper, a ruler and an eraser are allowed; compasses, protractors, graph paper, phones and smartwatches are prohibited (AMC 8 CM handbook 2025-26).
| Section | Number of questions | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single sectionElementary algebra, basic geometry (area and volume formulas), elementary arithmetic, elementary probability. No trigonometry, advanced algebra or advanced geometry. | 25 | 75 minutes | 150 points maximum |
25 five-option multiple-choice questions; two papers, A and B, on two different dates (students may sit both). Computer-based (Digital) or paper + scanned answer sheet (Print & Scan) at the registered school/institution; remote testing not allowed.
No calculators; blank scratch paper, ruler, compass and eraser are allowed. Protractors, graph paper, phones and smartwatches are prohibited (AMC 10/12 CM handbook 2025-26).
| Section | Number of questions | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single sectionThe entire high school maths curriculum, including trigonometry, advanced algebra and advanced geometry; no calculus. | 25 | 75 minutes | 150 points maximum |
25 five-option multiple-choice questions; two papers, A and B, on the same dates as AMC 10 A/B. Computer-based or paper + scanned answer sheet at the registered institution; remote testing not allowed.
No calculators; the same equipment rules as AMC 10 (ruler and compass allowed).
| Section | Number of questions | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1You cannot return to part 1 once you have moved on to part 2. | 8 | 90 minutes | — |
| Part 2If you leave the room during a section, you may not continue that section (applies to both sections). | 7 | 90 minutes | — |
For candidates invited from AMC 10/12 only. From 2027: computer-based at Pearson test centres in the US and Canada, in English, with no more separate AIME I/II; candidates work on a laminated graph-paper booklet and pen provided by the centre and enter answers on the computer.
No items of any kind may be brought into the test room (including compasses and rulers) — the centre provides a scratch booklet and pen (AIME 2027 rules).
| Section | Number of questions | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1Proof-based problems: algebra, combinatorics, geometry, number theory. | 3 | 4.5 hours | — |
| Day 2Same as Day 1. | 3 | 4.5 hours | — |
A proof-based written exam over 2 consecutive days, 3 problems each day in 4.5 hours (13:00–17:30 US Eastern Time), taken simultaneously at designated sites in the US and Canada. About 400+ students are invited each year, mainly based on AIME scores.
No communication devices; you may bring your own straightedge and compass; the test site provides paper and pencils.
Based on the MAA American Mathematics Competitions. Past papers and solutions link to the AoPS Wiki (community-run) — copyright in the problems belongs to the MAA. Updated 07/10/2026.
Three practice platforms for AMC 8 · 10 · 12: practice questions with worked solutions by topic and mock tests on each contest's real scoring scale.
A right triangle has legs 6 and 8. What is the radius of its inscribed circle?
Correct 6 points · blank 1.5 · wrong 0 — maximum 150
18 attempted · 15 correct · 7 left blank
PhD in Mathematics from the University of Klagenfurt (Austria) and PhD in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon (USA) — having studied and worked in the US, they truly understand competition math.
The academic team comes from the math-specialist programmes of Lê Hồng Phong High School for the Gifted and the High School for the Gifted — First Prize in the City Math competition.
Three practice platforms for AMC 8 · 10 · 12, each with 270 questions with worked solutions and 4 mock tests on the real scoring scale.
Beyond knowledge, students practise choosing questions, leaving blanks at the right time, and keeping pace through 25 questions in 40 or 75 minutes.
Teachers with a specialist mathematics background, including PhDs in Mathematics and in Computer Science who have studied and worked in the US.
PhD with distinction · Master's with distinction, top 4% of the Faculty of Mathematics, Masaryk University (Czech Republic) · Bachelor's with distinction, top 2 in the Faculty of Mathematics, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education
Computer Science, at the #1-ranked US university for the field · 10 years living and working in the US, including time at Amazon · alumnus of the specialised Maths programme at Lê Hồng Phong
Graduation thesis awarded Distinction · alumnus of the specialised Math class at Lê Hồng Phong · teaches Calculus and Statistics to AP students
Master's, Western Sydney (Australia) · Talented Engineer Programme, Bách Khoa (Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology) · First Prize in Mathematics at city level, Mathematics specialist class at Lê Hồng Phong · over 10 years teaching IELTS and SAT
Real messages from the AMC 12 class chat, names hidden. Quotes kept verbatim. Click an image to see it clearly.
Thầy dạy quá ổn luôn emThe teacher's lessons are really goodParent of an AMC 12 student
Teacher-led, as one-on-one tutoring or small groups; 8020 runs a placement test, then places each student at the right AMC level for their grade and study-abroad goals.
No penalty. Each correct answer is worth 6 points, a blank 1.5 points and a wrong answer 0; maximum 150 (instructions on the official MAA paper). For AMC 8 it is 1 point per correct answer, 0 for blank or wrong, maximum 25.
For the Nov 2025 competition the MAA published these cut-offs: AMC 10 A 105, AMC 10 B 99, AMC 12 A 96, AMC 12 B 100.5. Nov 2024: 94.5 / 105 / 76.5 / 88.5. From the Nov 2026 competition the MAA sets fixed cut-offs: AMC 10 from 100 points, AMC 12 from 85 points (plus age ≥ 13). Source: maa.org.
According to the MAA, AMC 10 is for students in Grade 10 or below and under 17.5 years old, so Grade 7 students are still eligible. However, the Vietnam organising committee lists AMC 10 as for Grades 9–10 and high-scoring AMC 8 students, so check with the committee before registering.
No. AMC 8, AMC 10 and AMC 12 all prohibit calculators, phones and smartwatches; no question requires a calculator. AMC 10/12 students may bring a ruler and compass; AMC 8 students a ruler only.
Through the Vietnam organising committee (amcvietnam.edu.vn, Edmicro Company): register through your school or independently, VND 400,000/candidate. For 2026-27: AMC 10/12 deadline 18 Oct 2026, exam expected 5 Nov 2026; AMC 8 deadline 4 Jan 2027, exam expected 24 Jan 2027.
The MAA says taking part in the AMC gives an advantage in college applications. It does not say the AMC is an admission requirement or leads to scholarships; it is an academic achievement to include in an application.
The MAA is moving AIME to computer-based testing at Pearson centres in the US and Canada on 5 or 6 Feb 2027: 15 questions in 2 parts of 90 minutes (8 + 7 questions), a single AIME (no more AIME I/II), candidates must be at least 13, fee 85 USD. Students in the international programme follow their country partner's instructions.
USAMO/USAJMO is held only at designated sites in the US and Canada, invites candidates mainly by AIME score, and is one round in the selection process for the US IMO/EGMO team. International AMC candidates follow the policies of their country's International Group Leader; the MAA has not announced separate arrangements for students in Vietnam.
Papers A and B have the same structure (25 questions, 75 minutes) and are held on different dates (2026: 5 Nov and 13 Nov); cut-offs for each paper are announced separately. According to the MAA, students may take both one A paper and one B paper (2 places needed). In Vietnam, the organising committee has so far only announced 5 Nov 2026.
The MAA offers the 2022 AMC 10 A and 2023 AMC 8 papers with solutions as free downloads; papers from other years are sold in the MAA AMC Store. Past papers and solutions are on the AoPS Wiki — a community site, not the MAA.
From 2027 the MAA is moving AIME to computer-based testing at Pearson centres in the US and Canada, with fixed invitation cut-offs (AMC 10 from 100 points, AMC 12 from 85). Arrangements for candidates outside the US have not been announced — 8020 will update as soon as there is an official announcement.
By grade and level: AMC 8 for Grade 8 and below, AMC 10 for Grade 10 and below, AMC 12 for Grade 12 and below (with age limits). Students in Grades 9–10 who are strong at math usually take AMC 10 first.
1-on-1 tutoring or small groups, placed by an entry assessment. Study by topic, practise hard questions with worked solutions in the AMC practice platform, and sit mock tests on the real scoring scale before the contest.
Take the free placement test and 8020 will pinpoint your gaps and place you in the right class with the right teacher. Three practice areas for AMC 8 · 10 · 12: practice questions with answers and mock tests on the real scoring scale.