About the Contest
The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), organised by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) with papers set by a committee drawn from leading US universities including MIT, Harvard and Princeton, are the world's most widely taken school mathematics contests — over 300,000 students from more than 6,000 schools every year. The series runs at three levels — AMC 8, AMC 10 and AMC 12 — leading on to the AIME, the USA(J)MO and ultimately the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). Strong AMC results are read by universities as reliable evidence of mathematical ability.
AMC 8 is for students in Grade 8 and below under 15.5 on the exam day (raised from 14.5 by a 2026 MAA adjustment); AMC 10 is for Grade 10 and below, under 17.5; and AMC 12 is for Grade 12 and below, under 19.5. At China test points the papers are printed bilingually in English and Chinese, so language is no barrier to entry.
The season's rhythm: AMC 10/12 are held every November as A and B papers about a week apart, AMC 8 follows in late January, and the AIME in February. Scores are typically released 4-6 weeks after each paper, with award cut-offs and downloadable e-certificates following at 6-8 weeks. Preparation guidance: allow 6-12 months at 2-3 hours a week for AMC 8; plan AMC 10 entry around Grades 7-9; and sit AMC 12 in Grades 9-11, where it carries the most weight in selective admissions.
Key Facts
- Run by the MAA with problems set by a committee from MIT, Harvard, Princeton and other top universities; 300,000+ participants a year
- AMC 10/12: 25 multiple-choice questions in 75 minutes; 6 points for a correct answer, 1.5 for a blank, 0 for a wrong answer, out of 150
- From 2027, fixed AIME qualifying scores: 100+ on AMC 10, 85+ on AMC 12 (percentile bands retired)
- Global top 1% and 5% certificates, plus newly added top 10% / 25% honor rolls
- Bilingual papers at China test points; scores in 4-6 weeks, e-certificates in 6-8 weeks
2026 AMC 10/12 Contest Schedule
- Version A: Friday, 6 November 2026, 17:00–18:15
- Version B: Saturday, 14 November 2026, 17:00–18:15
Format and Content by Level
- AMC 8: Grade 8 and below, under 15.5; 25 questions in 40 minutes, +1 per correct answer with no penalty for wrong or blank answers; covers integers, fractions, ratios, number theory, geometry, probability and logic
- AMC 10: Grade 10 and below, under 17.5; 25 questions in 75 minutes out of 150 points; covers elementary algebra, foundation geometry, introductory number theory and combinatorics
- AMC 12: Grade 12 and below, under 19.5; same format and scoring as AMC 10; covers the full pre-calculus curriculum including trigonometry and advanced algebra
- AIME: an invitational for qualifying AMC 10/12 scorers — 15 questions, every answer an integer from 0 to 999; from 2027 a single sitting window in two 90-minute parts
Qualification Pathway (from 2027)
- AIME qualification: a fixed score of 100 or above on the AMC 10, or 85 or above on the AMC 12 — fixed thresholds replace the former global percentile bands
- USA(J)MO selection from 2027 is based primarily on AIME performance; the old combined AMC + AIME index is retired
- Top USA(J)MO performers progress to the national olympiad training camp and, ultimately, IMO team selection
Award Structure
- AMC 8: Perfect Score (25/25), Distinguished Honor Roll (global top 1%), Honor Roll (top 5%); Achievement Roll for Grade 6 or below scoring 15+; school awards based on the top three students' combined score (66+ School Honor Roll, 50-65 School Merit Roll)
- AMC 10/12: Perfect Score (150/150), Honor Roll of Distinction (global top 1%), Certificate of Distinction (top 5%), plus newly added global top 10% and top 25% honor rolls
- Younger-student incentive: Certificate of Achievement for scores of 90+ by Grade 8 or below on the AMC 10, or Grade 10 or below on the AMC 12
- Reaching the cut-off earns an AIME Qualification certificate; school awards at 400+ / 300-399 combined top-three scores
Historical Cut-offs for Reference
- AMC 8: recent Distinguished Honor Roll (top 1%) lines around 21-23; Honor Roll (top 5%) around 17-19
- AMC 10: recent AIME cut-offs around 94-105; top 1% around 133-138; top 5% around 105-114
- AMC 12: recent AIME cut-offs around 85-100; top 1% around 136-150; top 5% around 106-127
- Cut-offs shift each year with paper difficulty — a useful benchmark for setting a realistic target score
Participation Info
- Suitable Grades
- AMC 8: Grade 8 and below; AMC 10/12: Grade 10/12 and below
- Contest Time
- AMC 8 in January; AMC 10/12 in November
- Format
- AMC 8: 25 questions, 40 minutes; AMC 10/12: 25 questions, 75 minutes, online or on paper
LighTon Coaching Programmes
AMC Training Courses
Foundation Course
For students new to the contest
- Systematic coverage of the syllabus and key terminology
- Build a solid framework bridging schoolwork and contest level
- Small group or 1-on-1, online and in person
Intensive Course
For students with a foundation aiming at awards
- Past-paper drills with proven question patterns
- Topic training with biweekly tests to adjust priorities
- Progress reports keeping parents in the loop
Sprint Course
For students nearing the exam date
- Full mock exams with question-by-question review
- Targeted gap filling and score-maximising strategy
- Exam mindset and time-management coaching
Tutors
AMC courses are taught by subject-specialist tutors with years of international curriculum and competition experience.
Meet LighTon's Select TutorsTrack Record
- 75%+ award rate in AMC
- Students consistently achieve top grades in the matching IB / AP / A-Level subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Which grades is AMC suitable for?
AMC 8: Grade 8 and below; AMC 10/12: Grade 10/12 and below
When is the AMC held?
AMC 8 in January; AMC 10/12 in November
What is the format of the AMC?
AMC 8: 25 questions, 40 minutes; AMC 10/12: 25 questions, 75 minutes, online or on paper
What AMC coaching does LighTon offer?
LighTon offers foundation, intensive and sprint courses for the AMC, in 1-on-1 or small-group formats, online and in person. Contact us for a free preparation plan and a trial lesson.
Preparing for AMC?
Book a free consultation for a personalised preparation plan and coaching schedule.