Information Overview
What is the AMC 8?
The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute multiple-choice mathematics competition for middle school students designed to promote problem-solving skills. The AMC 8 provides middle school students with an opportunity to develop their analytical thinking skills and a positive attitude towards mathematics, which is beneficial for future career development. Students apply classroom skills in a low-pressure, friendly environment to unique problem-solving challenges.
The material covered in the AMC 8 includes topics from a typical middle school mathematics curriculum. Possible topics include, but are not limited to: counting and probability, estimation, proportional reasoning, elementary geometry (including the Pythagorean theorem), spatial visualization, everyday applications, and reading and interpreting graphs and tables. In addition, some later problems may involve linear or quadratic functions and equations, coordinate geometry, and other topics traditionally covered in an introductory algebra course.
The AMC 8 is also available in French, Spanish, large print, and Braille versions for print administration only.
Registration Deadlines and Competition Dates
USA:
Early Bird Registration Deadline: October 28, 2025 (Registration Fee: $55)
Regular Registration Deadline: January 5, 2026 (Registration Fee: $75)
Late Registration Deadline: January 15, 2026 (Registration Fee: $115)
Exam Dates: January 22-28, 2026
China:
Registration Deadline: January 13, 2026
Exam Time: January 23, 2026, 17:00-17:40
AMC 8 Resources
Download and read the AMC 8 Teacher's Manual for more detailed information on how to administer the AMC 8 competition.
AMC 8 Teacher's Manual
Competition managers can find all necessary additional forms below or at amc-reg.maa.org:
Guide to Administering MAA Competitions: An expanded version of the Teacher's Manual for competition managers who need more detailed information.
AMC 8 Letter to Parents
After reading the Teacher's Manual and the resources above, if you still have questions, please see the Frequently Asked Questions below.
AMC 8 Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is included in the AMC 8?
A. The material covered in the AMC 8 includes topics from a typical middle school mathematics curriculum. Possible topics include, but are not limited to: counting and probability, estimation, proportional reasoning, elementary geometry (including the Pythagorean theorem), spatial visualization, everyday applications, and reading and interpreting graphs and tables. In addition, some later problems may involve linear or quadratic functions and equations, coordinate geometry, and other topics traditionally covered in an introductory algebra course.
Based on the topics covered in past exams, the AMC 8 primarily includes the following topics:
Q. Who is eligible to participate?
A. Students in 8th grade or below, who are under 14.5 years old on the day of the competition, and who have a passion for problem-solving are eligible to participate in the AMC 8.
Q. Who can proctor the competition?
A. Only competition managers are permitted to proctor the competition. Parents or guardians may not proctor students. Starting in 2022-2023, students will be proctored in person by their competition manager. If there is any suspicion of cheating or unauthorized resources, the competition manager will be contacted. Click here to view the cheating and disqualification policy. For further questions regarding the AMC 8 proctoring policy, please contact MAA AMC at amcinfo@maa.org.
Q. Can the AMC 8 competition be scheduled at different times for different math classes on the official administration date, or must all students take the competition at the same time?
A. The competition must be administered by the competition manager within its valid competition window. The valid competition window for this cycle is 8:00 AM to 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (GMT+5) on the official US competition date.
Competition administrators may choose to administer the competition at different times for different students; however, for the integrity and security of the competition, MAA AMC strongly encourages competition administrators to administer the competition to all participating students simultaneously.
Q. How do I request a rescore of my answer sheet?
A. Use the AMC 8 Rescore Request Form. A fee of $35.00 will be charged for each student answer sheet rescored. The official answers will be the answers bubbled in on the answer sheet. All student answer sheets returned for scoring will be recycled 80 days after the AMC 8 competition date.