AMC 10
What is the AMC 10?
The AMC 10 is a math contest for students in 10th grade and below, sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). The MAA is one of two premier United States mathematical organizations, the other being the American Mathematical Society (AMS). The two organizations support each other - in fact, each year they have a joint meeting, usually in January. In general, the MAA focuses more on education, and the AMS focuses more on research. Members of the MAA typically include college math professors, math graduate students, and undergraduate math majors, but high school teachers and students join too.
The Horse's Mouth
If you wish to know the basic facts about the MAA, get it from the horse's mouth here: AMC 10/12. Here is the introduction:
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 for students in 10th grade and below, and covers the high school curriculum up to 10th grade. Students in grade 10 or below and under 17.5 years of age on the day of the contest can take the AMC 10. The AMC 12 covers the entire high school curriculum including trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry, but excluding calculus. Students in grade 12 or below and under 19.5 years of age on the day of the contest can take the AMC 12.
These competitions are administered around the country on Thursday, February 4, 2021 and Wednesday, February 10, 2021. 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).
The AMC 10 is for students in 10th grade and below, and covers the high school curriculum up to 10th grade. Students in grade 10 or below and under 17.5 years of age on the day of the contest can take the AMC 10. The AMC 12 covers the entire high school curriculum including trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry, but excluding calculus. Students in grade 12 or below and under 19.5 years of age on the day of the contest can take the AMC 12.
These competitions are administered around the country on Thursday, February 4, 2021 and Wednesday, February 10, 2021. 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).
When and Where
The AMC 10 is given twice each year. The first is called the AMC 10A and the second is called the AMC 10B. While they do not have the same problems, they are designed to be of equal difficulty. Choose the one that best fits your schedule. The dates for 2021 are:
- AMC 10A: Thursday, 4 February 2021, 4:00-5:45 PM
- AMC 10B: Wednesday, 10 February 2021, 4:00-5:45 PM
Sign Up
To sign up, please complete the ERA 2021 AMC 10/12 Sign-Up form.
Resources
No preparation is required. However, having familiarity with the types of questions on a mathematics exam generally improves the outcome. The best way to prepare for the AMC 10 exam is the same as the best way to prepare for any math test: do problems, lots of relevant problems. The best collection of relevant problems is past AMC 10 exams. All past AMC 10 exams are available on the Art of Problems Solving (AoPS) website, on the AMC 10 Problems and Solutions page.