American Mathematics Competitions
Founded in 1950, the AMC is the preeminent math competition for students K-12. Today, over 300,000 students in 50 states and over 30 countries take the AMC to bolster their confidence and passion for math.
Empowering the Next Generation of Problem Solvers
The AMC program is more than just a competition; it’s a national effort to strengthen the mathematical capabilities of our next generation of innovators. By challenging students with engaging problems, the AMC sets the stage for lifelong mathematical exploration, discovery, and achievement.
This Year's Competitions
The 2025-26 MAA AMC dates are:
AMC 10 A and AMC 12 A – November 05, 2025
AMC 10 B and AMC 12 B – November 13, 2025
AMC 8 – January 22 to 28, 2026
Who can participate in the MAA AMC?
The MAA AMC proudly engages with a dedicated group of participants, each crucial to the success of our mathematical community:
- Students: Calling all middle and high school students looking to engage in an exciting problem-solving experience! Challenge yourself and improve your mathematical abilities by taking the AMC 8, the AMC 10, and/or the AMC 12, depending on your grade level.
- Educators: We seek teachers at accredited middle/high schools, colleges/universities, math circles, and learning centers to serve as competition managers, administering the AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12 to interested students. A competition manager enrolls students, proctors the AMC on the competition date(s), and shares scores and awards with participants after the competition.
How do I get involved?
For those living in the United States and Canada:
Students/Parents: Ask your school if they will be hosting the AMC 8 or AMC 10/AMC 12. If they are unable to do so, you can check at local colleges and universities, math circles, or learning centers. Contact amcinfo@maa.org for assistance with finding a site offering the MAA AMC. Students and parents do not register directly with the MAA.
Educators: Register your accredited middle/high school, university, math circle, or learning center and pay the fees by the deadline for each competition cycle.
Live outside the USA and Canada?
Check if your country participates in our parallel AMC International program.
What are the different MAA AMC competitions?
AMC 8
The AMC 8 is a great way to introduce younger students to mathematical problem-solving beyond the standard school curriculum. Students who enjoy the AMC 8 may want to continue with the AMC 10 and AMC 12 in later years.
Description:
The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute competition designed for students in grade 8 and below. The competition focuses on middle school mathematics topics, including counting and probability, estimation, proportional reasoning, elementary geometry (including the Pythagorean Theorem), spatial visualization, and interpreting graphs and tables. Some of the later questions may touch on beginning algebra topics, such as linear or quadratic functions and coordinate geometry.
For: Middle school students, typically in grades 6-8, though younger students may also participate.
When: Annually in January over the course of a week. Students may only take the AMC 8 once each year.
AMC 10
The AMC 10 provides students with an opportunity to develop their problem-solving skills. It serves as the first step in qualifying for the USA team in prestigious international mathematics competitions, including the International Mathematical Olympiad.
Description: The AMC 10 is a 25-question, 75-minute multiple-choice competition designed for students in grades 10 and below. The content covers mathematical topics such as elementary algebra, basic geometry, area and volume formulas, elementary number theory, and elementary probability. Advanced topics like trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry are excluded.
The AMC 10 offers two versions of the test, the 'A' and 'B' competitions. Competition managers can choose the date that best fits their schedule or have their students participate in both.
For: High school students in grades 10 and below, with a maximum age of under 17.5 years on the day of the competition.
When: Annually in November on the same dates as AMC 12. Students may not take both AMC 10 and AMC 12 on the same day.
AMC 12
The AMC 12 helps students develop their problem-solving abilities and serves as the first step in qualifying for the USA team in prestigious international mathematics competitions, including the International Mathematical Olympiad.
Description: The AMC 12 is a 25-question, 75-minute multiple-choice competition designed for students in grades 12 and below. It covers the full high school mathematics curriculum, including trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry. Calculus is excluded.
The AMC 12 offers two versions of the test, the 'A' and 'B' competitions. Competition managers can choose the date that best fits their schedule or have their students participate in both.
For: High school students in grades 12 and below, with a maximum age of under 19.5 years on the day of the competition.
When: Annually in November on the same dates as AMC 10. Students may not take both AMC 10 and AMC 12 on the same day.
Safeguarding the Integrity of the Competitions
Increased Security for Competition Distribution: We continue to upgrade competition distribution procedures to enhance digital security, including adding features to prevent unauthorized access and shortening release windows to minimize leaks.
Additional Reviewing and Vetting of Test Sites and Managers: We continue to improve our vetting procedures to ensure that all new competition sites and competition managers undergo rigorous checks.
Continuing Community Engagement: We encourage the community to report any threats to exam integrity through a dedicated email address, amcintegrity@maa.org, with staff assigned to follow up on these concerns.
Why take the MAA AMC?
Hear from some of our students and teachers about why they value the MAA AMC:
“I brought AMC to my school for the first time last year and I saw students in awe of the world of mathematics. I also saw a lot of students who did not believe in themselves at first, and came out of the competition feeling way more confident and interested in pursuing mathematics in their future.
It is important to me that my students feel unafraid to challenge themselves and the AMC is an amazing way to foster opportunities of critical thinking at my school.”
“I became interested in participating in the AMCs because I was looking to pursue mathematics beyond the standard curriculum. I found the problems really different and way more interesting than the math I was used to in school.”
“Where I come from, not many people are interested in math or math competitions, so I saw the AMC as a chance to connect with others who love math as much as I do. It’s not just about taking the test; the entire preparation process…exposed me to many wonderful people and their unique ways of thinking.”
Bring the USA Mathematical Olympiad to Your Campus
The MAA-organized USA Mathematical Olympiad and Junior Mathematical Olympiad are the most prestigious high school mathematics competitions in the country. Starting in Spring 2026, these will take place exclusively at 30 college locations throughout North America. Your campus can host the most elite mathematics students in your region, with expenses paid by MAA AMC and our generous sponsors.
What do you need to provide?
A full-time faculty member who will serve as site director. This job entails making room reservations for the two dates below, communicating with students about logistics (directions, parking, etc.), and arranging catering or snacks if you want to make it a party. MAA provides a modest stipend and small budget for these arrangements. The average number of competitors per site is about 20-25, and we expect site sizes to range anywhere from 5 students to 100 students.
How do you let us know you are interested?
Our highest priority is the geographic distribution of sites to get as many students as possible within a two-hour drive (or so) of some location. Once we have a list of those with an interest in hosting, we will make decisions based on locations by October 2025. Complete the form to tell us you would like to be considered.
The 2026 USAMO / USAJMO will be held on two consecutive days:
Saturday, March 21 1:00PM – 5:30PM ET
Sunday, March 22 1:00PM – 5:30PM ET
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Statistics
Find our public statistics on MAA AMC scores here.