American Mathematics Competitions

The American Mathematics Competitions (AMCs) are the first of a series of competitions in secondary school mathematics sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) that determine the United States of America's team for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). The selection process takes place over the course of roughly five stages. At the last stage, the US selects six members to form the IMO team.

There are three AMC competitions held each year:

the AMC 8, for students under the age of 14.5 and in grades 8 and below

the AMC 10, for students under the age of 17.5 and in grades 10 and below

the AMC 12, for students under the age of 19.5 and in grades 12 and below

The AMC 8 tests mathematics through the 8th grade curriculum. Similarly, the AMC 10 and AMC 12 test mathematics through the 10th and 12th grade curriculum, respectively.

Before the 1999-2000 academic year, the AMC 8 was known as the AJHSME (American Junior High School Mathematics Examination), and the AMC 12 was known as the AHSME (American High School Mathematics Examination). There was no AMC 10 prior to the 1999-2000 academic year.

Students who perform well on the AMC 10 or AMC 12 competitions are invited to participate in the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). Students who perform exceptionally well on the AMC 12 and AIME are invited to the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), while students who perform exceptionally well on the AMC 10 and AIME are invited to United States of America Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO). Students who do exceptionally well on the USAMO (typically around 45 students based on score and grade level) and USAJMO (typically around the top 15 students) are invited to attend the Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP).