To advance from the AMC 10 Mathematics Competition to the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination), students must meet the official AIME qualification cutoff score. In 2025, the AIME cutoff scores were 105 for AMC 10A and 99 for AMC 10B.
It is important to note that AMC 10 cutoffs vary each year, depending on exam difficulty, score distribution, and the number of participants. Students are advised to closely follow the official score announcements released by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) each year.
Recent AMC 10 Cutoffs and Score Trends
Score Trends in Recent Years
In recent years, AMC 10 score thresholds have shown a clear upward trend:
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The Top 1% (Distinguished Honor Roll) cutoff has steadily increased
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From 124.5 points in 2020
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To 136.5 (AMC 10A) and 133.5 (AMC 10B) in 2025
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The Top 5% (Honor Roll) cutoff has remained relatively stable, generally fluctuating between 105 and 114 points
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The AIME qualification cutoff typically falls within the 93–105 point range, with moderate year-to-year variation
Overall Competition Trends
Fewer Participants, Higher Competition at the Top
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Total number of participants has decreased
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AMC 10: approximately 57,000 students, down from 65,000–75,000 in previous years (a decline of 15–25%)
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AMC 12: approximately 37,000 students, down from 45,000–55,000 (a decline of 20–30%)
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Increasing Density of High-Scoring Students
Despite fewer total participants, the number of high-scoring students has increased significantly. With the maturation of international math competition training systems, top students now demonstrate:
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More comprehensive mastery of math content
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Faster problem-solving speed
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Stronger exam strategies developed through systematic training
As a result, AMC 10 and AMC 12 score cutoffs rose sharply, and competition among top scorers has intensified, leading to a noticeable surge in high-score density.
AMC Score Cutoff Table (Recent Reference)
| Competition | AIME Threshold | Top 1% (DHR) | Top 5% (HR) | Top 10% | Top 25% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMC 10A | 105 | 136.5 | 112.5 | 94.5 | 69 |
| AMC 10B | 99 | 133.5 | 105 | 87 | 66 |
| AMC 12A | 96 | 150 | 127.5 | 106.5 | 78 |
| AMC 12B | 100.5 | 145.5 | 109.5 | 127.5 | — |
Note: Cutoff scores may change annually. The table above is provided for reference only.
AMC 10 Course Planning by Grade Level
Grades 6–8
Preparation Status:
Students at this stage often have noticeable gaps in AMC 10–level knowledge. The focus should be on systematically learning AMC 10 topics and gradually strengthening the four major modules: algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics.
Target Goal:
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15+ correct answers
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Primary objective: build a solid mathematical foundation
Grades 8–9
Preparation Status:
Students should begin constructing a complete AMC 10 preparation framework while reinforcing foundational knowledge and identifying common test patterns.
Target Goal:
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19+ correct answers
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Focus on mastering high-frequency topics and improving accuracy
Grades 9–10
Preparation Status:
At this level, students are expected to have integrated all major AMC 10 content areas. Preparation should emphasize targeted practice on advanced problem types and strategic time management.
Target Goal:
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21+ correct answers
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Strengthen number theory and combinatorics
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Increase exposure to official past papers and timed mock exams