Math competitions give students the chance to test their problem solving skills, learn how to perform under pressure, manage their time, start building a superior college resume, and more.
The MAA's contests include the AMC 8, AMC 10, AMC 12, AIME, and the USA(J)MO. Each of these competitions is increasingly challenging and participation in the AIME and USA(J)MO is by invitation only.
Let's dive into the details of each competition.
The AMC 8 is a popular math competition for middle school students. The competition consists of a 25-question multiple choice exam, held over 40 minutes. Students in grade 8 and below can take the AMC 8.
This competition tests students on middle school math topics including arithmetic and word problems, geometry, counting and probability, and number theory; problems on logic and spatial reasoning may also be expected, and some problems occasionally involve basic algebra or coordinate geometry.
The AMC 8 will be held from January 21-27, 2027. Students interested in taking the AMC 8 should contact their local RSM branch to reserve their spot, whether or not they are currently enrolled at RSM.
Students who earn top scores on the AMC 8 are recognized by the MAA with various awards, including the Honor Roll of Distinction, Honor Roll, and the Certificate of Achievement.
While the AMC 8 covers a broad range of middle school math topics, advanced students in grades 6 and 7 can benefit from participating to become familiar with the format and style of math competitions. Younger students who score at least 15 points receive a Certificate of Achievement. Taking the AMC 8 at an earlier age also gives students valuable exam experience, helping them feel more confident when they take the test in 8th grade.
The AMC 10 is a 25-question multiple choice exam that students are given 75 minutes to answer. Students in grade 10 and below (including middle school students) who are under 17.5 years old on the day of the competition are eligible to take this exam.
Topics covered in this competition include elementary algebra, basic geometry (including the Pythagorean theorem and area and volume formulas), coordinate geometry, elementary number theory, and counting and probability. Trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry are not included. Although the content is limited to roughly the first two years of high school math, the later problems on the exam require creative problem-solving well beyond a typical classroom.
There are two versions of the test: A and B. Students can choose to take either the A or B exam or take both. AMC 10 participants who achieve top scores earn awards from the MAA that include the Honor Roll of Distinction, Honor Roll, and the Certificate of Achievement. Additionally, students who earn a score of 100 or higher on the AMC 10 are invited to take the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) and receive a Certificate of Excellence.
The AMC 10A will be held on November 5, 2026 and the AMC 10B will be held on November 13, 2026.
Current and prospective RSM students interested in taking the AMC 10 can contact their local RSM branch to reserve their seat.
The AMC 12 is also a 25-question multiple choice exam that students are given 75 minutes to answer. High school students in grade 12 and below are eligible to take this exam.
This contest covers the full high school mathematics curriculum, including trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry. Students who achieve top scores on the AMC 12 earn awards from the MAA that include the Honor Roll of Distinction, Honor Roll, and the Certificate of Achievement. Furthermore, students who earn a score of 85 or higher on the AMC 12 are invited to take the AIME and receive a Certificate of Excellence.
Like the AMC 10, there are also A and B versions of the AMC 12 that are offered. The AMC 12A will be held on November 5, 2026 and the AMC 12B will be held on November 13, 2026. Students cannot take the AMC 10 and the AMC 12 on the same day.
For those interested in taking the AMC 12, contact your local RSM branch to reserve your seat. All students can take the AMC 12 at RSM, whether or not they are currently enrolled at RSM.
The AIME is a prestigious and challenging 15-question exam that is administered in two 90-minute parts. This contest is designed to challenge students on their problem-solving skills, giving students the opportunity to solve non-standard math problems using logical reasoning. Unlike the AMC, the AIME is not a multiple-choice exam. Students must solve each problem and enter their answers as integers rather than selecting from a list of choices.
Students who earn a score of 100+ on the AMC 10 or an 85+ on the AMC 12 are invited to participate in the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME).
Beginning in 2027, the AIME will be administered electronically at Pearson testing centers in the United States and Canada. Students will solve the problems and enter their answers on computers at the test center.
The AIME will be held on February 5 and 6, 2027.
There is a significant leap in difficulty from the AMC 10/12 to the AIME. In recent years, the AMC 10 has had around 50,000–60,000 participants and the AMC 12 has had approximately 30,000–40,000 participants. About 6–8% of AMC 10 participants and 12–16% of AMC 12 participants qualify for the AIME, for a total of about 6,000–7,000 students each year.
Questions on the AMC test students on their breadth of knowledge and fluency when solving math problems, reward students for solving questions quickly, and let them view several different multiple choice answers, while AIME problems test students’ depth of understanding and ability to follow through on complex solutions.
Students looking to excel on the AIME should ensure they have a strong understanding of
The USAMO and USAJMO are the next competitions in this series. Students who earn scores within approximately the top 11% of the AIME are selected for this exam. This is typically around 250 - 300 students.
Students who qualified for the AIME by taking the AMC 10 are invited to take the USAJMO, and students who took the AMC 12 are invited to take the USAMO.
Both exams are 6-question essay and proof examinations, held over 2 days. Students are given 4.5 hours to answer 3 problems per day. Their answers must include proofs and justifications that show how they solved each problem.
The topics covered on these exams include algebra, combinatorics, geometry, and number theory. The questions are multi-step problems that combine several different ideas and concepts into one question. Their difficulty lies in the techniques that they require students to know.
These exams will be held on March 21-22, 2027 between 1:30pm ET and 5:30pm ET on each of the two competition days. The USA(J)MO is only given at select official testing sites.
The top USAMO and USAJMO participants are invited to the Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP), a 3-week intensive problem-solving camp. This program selects and trains students for the International Math Olympiad, a world championship mathematics competition for high school students. The MOP and IMO are not hosted by the MAA.
Interested in registering your child for the AMC 8, 10, or 12? Current and prospective RSM students can reserve a seat at their local RSM branch to take these contests.
Is your student ready to start participating in more advanced math competitions? RSM’s Math Competition Preparation program is designed for students who are interested in advanced mathematical topics as well as participating in elite competitions. Our selective and tiered competitions program prepares students for a wide variety of national and international math Olympiads. Learn more about our competitions courses.
