Do you like math and want to receive awards for your extensive knowledge in math?

The AMC 10/12 will definitely be your friend.

As one of the most well-known math-focused competitions in the world, the AMC tests are an excellent way to exhibit your problem-solving and analytical skills, along with providing a gateway into more a exclusive and prestigious opportunities such as AIME.

If you want to excel at the AMC then read this article to learn more!

What is the AMC 10/12?

Is it prestigious?

The American Mathematics Competition are hosted by MAA yearly, and the program is dedicated to fostering the next general of mathematical thinkers.

It started in 1950, when it first reached 200 schools and tested 6,000 students in the New York area, but now, it has grown immensely to reach 300,000 students in over 4,000 schools.

Because of its reputation, the AMC is highly prestigious and students who perform well on the assessment are recognized to be highly skilled in math.

Finalists for the AMC 10/12 are invited to take the American Invitational Mathematics Exam(AIME).

Those who do well on AIME move on to USAJMO, or USAMO.

Then the top 12 scorers are invited to MOSP for three to four weeks where students work intensely daily, practicing various math problems.

The

4. 5 hour test, including 3 essay problems, determines which six students get to compete in the International Math Olympiad(IMO).

Syllabus for AMC 10/12 The AMC 10 and AMC 12 are both 25-question, 75-minute, multiple-choice examinations in high school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills.

The AMC 10 is designed for students in 10th grade and below, and it covers the high school curriculum through 10th grade.

Students in grade 10 or below who are under 1

7. 5 years old on the day of the contest can take the AMC 1

0. The AMC 12 covers the entire high school curriculum, including trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry, but not calculus.

Students in grade 12 or below who are under 1

9. 5 years old on the day of the contest can take the AMC 1

2. The AMC 10/12 provides an opportunity for high school students to develop positive attitudes towards analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers.

The AMC 10/12 is the first in a series of competitions that eventually lead all the way to the International Mathematical Olympiad (see Invitational Competitions).

What Material is covered on the AMC 10/12?

The mathematics covered in the AMC 10 is typically reserved for grades 9 and 1

0. Elementary algebra, elementary number theory, elementary probability, and basic geometry, including the Pythagorean Theorem and area and volume formulas, are prerequisites for the AMC 1

0. Advanced geometry, advanced algebra, and trigonometry are not included.

Calculus is not covered in the AMC 12, which covers the full high school mathematics curriculum, including the above, as well as trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry.

Can a Students take both competitions?

Yes, as long as a student is eligible to take the appropriate competitions.

That is, a 10th grader or below can take both AMC 10 A and the AMC 10 B, the AMC 12 A and the AMC 12 B, etc. , and an 11th or 12th grader can take the AMC 12 A and the AMC 12 B.

However, the school must register for both dates and order bundles for each competition.

How is the AMC 10/12 Scored?

The AMC 10 and AMC 12 each have 25 questions.

You have 75 minutes for the entire exam.

Each correct answer is worth 6 points (for a maximum score of 150) and each unanswered question is worth

1. 5 points.

There is no deduction for wrong answers.

Note that you don't need to get all of the questions right to get a qualifying score.

You just have to do better than most of the other students taking the exam!

Keep that in mind as you come up with a strategy for the test.

The qualifying score ranges for AMC 10 from 90-115, and the qualifying score for AMC 12 is 80-9

5. For more information on AMC 10/12 visit the website Now let’s get into the actual secret sauce to score high on the AMC 10/12!

The Ultimate Guide to Studying for the AMC 10/12 Tip #1: Practice Tests The best way to prepare for AMC 10/12 is to do lots of practice tests and learn the material necessary to solve the problems.

Depending on your current abilities from the practice test scores, you will want to start out with different practice problems, different books, and in different areas of the subjects.

You should also try to target your weaknesses to secure the best chances to qualify for AIME.

Where can you find these practice exams?

The Art of Problem Solving is the single best hub for math contests such as AMC and AIME.

AOPS provides AMC 10 Problems and Solutions from past years ranging from 2000-2023!

And also AMC 12 Problems and Solutions.

Tip #2: Build a SOLID Math Foundation First and foremost, it is recommended that you have a firm foundations in mathematics from your schoolwork because AMC 10/12 tests students on high school material.

In order to prepare for the exam opt for rigorous math courses in high school such as Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, and Pre-calculus.

Here are two things you need to build a STRONG Foundation + Perform really well Learn Theory Apply Theory To Learn theory at the AMC 10/12, I would recommend reading AoPS books such as the Intro series/Volume 1 for the AMC10 and Intermediate Algebra, Intermediate Combo, Precalculus, and Volume 2 for the AMC1

2. Now, to apply theory one trick is to always practice.

Use my previous tip to practice using mock tests while timing yourself.

Once you finish the test, keep doing the problems that you struggled on.

Also another resource provided by AoPS is alcumus, it is an online adaptive system that give you problems based on the subjects you pick and the difficulty.

While correcting your mistakes, put them into 4 categories: Correct but took to much time Incorrect but was a silly mistake Can’t do At the end of the session, try doing the problems in a set period of time from Group 1, try doing the problems again from Group 2, and learn the concept for Group

3. Example Problem from 2023 AMC 10

- #5 Easier Problem An integer is assigned to each vertex of a cube.

The value of an edge is defined to be the sum of the values of the two vertices it touches, and the value of a face is defined to be the sum of the values of the four edges surrounding it.

The value of the cube is defined as the sum of the values of its six faces.

Suppose the sum of the integers assigned to the vertices is 2

1. What is the value of the cube?

A) 42 B) 63 C) 84 D) 126 E) 252 Now take a moment to solve this question, if this question looks hard to you don’t worry you still have a lot to improve.

Don't Give up!

Solution: Each of the vertices is counted  times because each vertex is shared by three different edges.

Each of the edges is counted  times because each edge is shared by two different faces.

Since the sum of the integers assigned to all vertices is 21, the final answer is 21 x 3 x 2 = 12

6. Example Problem from 2023 AMC 10

- #23 Harder Problem If the positive integer c has positive integer divisors a and b with c = ab, then a and b are said to be complementary divisors of c.

Suppose that N is a positive integer that has one complementary pair of divisors that differ by 20 and another pair of complementary divisors that differ by 2

3. What is the sum of the digits of N?

A) 9 B) 13 C) 15 D) 17 E) 19 Solution: We have 4 integers in our problem.

Let’s call the smallest of them a. a(a + 23) = either (a+1)(a+21) or (a+2)(a+22).

So, we have the following: a^2 + 23a = a^2 + 22a + 21 or a^2 + 23 = a^2 + 24a + 4

4. The second equation has negative solutions, so we discard it.

The first equation has a = 21, and so a + 23 = 4

4. If we check (a+1)(a+21) we get 22 x 42 = 21 x 4

4. 44 is 2 times 22, and 42 is 2 times 21, so our solution checks out.

Multiplying 21 by 44, we get 924 → 9 + 2 + 4 = C) 1

5. Check out formula lists and cheat sheets AoPS provides multiple cheat sheets for multiple levels.

They will definitely help you out!

Use this link to access these cheat sheets.

The Day Before the Exam… After all your preparation, you don’t want to make a mistake before the day which will ruin all your hard work.

Don’t do tons of studying before you take the AMC because that will only wear your out more.

Focus on relaxing and getting in the right mindset for the exam.

Don’t waste all of your hard work studying by staying up late the night before!

Finally make sure everything is set for the test because you don’t want to deal with a morning-mess up.

Want More Tips…?

Don’t just take it from me but listen to Ram Goel, a winner of the International Math Olympiad (IMO).

He won a gold medal at the USAMO, and got 2nd place.

He got a perfect score on the USAMTS.

He was a MOP participant and was selected for the USA IMO team.

He also did research and was a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar and International Science & Engineering Fair winner.

Watch this video to unlock all of his secrets! https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=SHWGvC3SvK8&t=83s Happy Studying, and I hope you all enjoyed my blog!.