American Invitational Mathematics Examination
mathematics test used to determine people who can compete in the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad
The American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) is a 15-question, 3-hour test given to students who score sufficiently well on the AMC 12 or the AMC 10 mathematics examinations. The AIME is the second of two annual tests used to determine qualification for the prestigious United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO or USAJMO), the first being the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC, formerly AHSME) or the additional pathway of the United States of America Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS). The AIME has been held annually since 1983, and the rules and qualification thresholds have changed substantially since then. The competition is organized by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).
History
The AIME began in 1983, organized by a committee chaired by Hungarian-American mathematician George Berzsenyi (1938–2026), under the auspices of the MAA. The exam was initially given once per year, on a Tuesday or Thursday in late March or early April. During the 1990s, fewer than 2,000 students typically qualified for the AIME. However, in 1994, an unprecedented 99 students achieved perfect scores on the AHSME, causing delays in result distribution. The usual pamphlets were replaced by thick newspaper bundles. Between 2000 and 2026, two AIME exams were offered annually: AIME I and AIME II, an alternate for those who couldn't make the first, including all international students.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to cancellation of the AIME II for that year. Instead, qualifying students were able to take the American Online Invitational Mathematics Examination, which contained the problems that were originally going to be on the AIME II. The 2021 AIME I and II were also moved online.
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