About this competition
The AMC 10 (for grade 10 and below) and AMC 12 (for grade 12 and below) are 75-minute, 25-question multiple-choice tests. They're the first step in the path to the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), with top scorers advancing to AIME and beyond.
Solid AMC 10/12 performance is highly valued by selective college admissions, summer programs (RSI, PROMYS, MathCamp), and competition-focused schools.
Season & deadlines
Administered each November; schools must register by mid-October.
Season window: November through November.
Cost
Varies — School registration fee plus small per-student cost; varies by school.
Prizes & outcomes
AIME qualification, USAMO advancement, college scholarships
Prep resources
- Official rules and game manual · website
- Art of Problem Solving — AMC 10/12 archive · past problems
Summer math camps near you
AMC/AIME-ladder students typically deepen with summer math-circle programs or AoPS courses.
Aiming for AMC → AIME?
AMC 8 / MATHCOUNTS Bootcamp is forming the next pilot cohort. Join the interest list — no commitment, no payment, we'll reach out personally.
Related competitions
Good preparation: American Mathematics Competition 8 , MATHCOUNTS Competition Series