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8-Day Countdown to AIME II: Exam-Day Essentials and Final Preparation Guide

With only one week remaining until the 2026 AIME II, this highly anticipated written competition represents the only AIME session accessible to students in China and serves as a critical opportunity to demonstrate advanced mathematical ability—particularly for those aiming for top-tier U.S. universities.

As the advanced invitational stage of the AMC competition series, AIME II is not open to all students. Only those who qualify through AMC 10 or AMC 12 are eligible to participate.

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I. Important Pre-Exam Notes for AIME II

Unlike previous years, the 2026 AIME has fully eliminated the online format and will be conducted exclusively as an in-person, paper-based examination.

(1) Required Materials Checklist

  • Stationery:

    • 2B pencils (for answer sheet bubbling)

    • Black gel pen or ballpoint pen (for scratch work)

    • Ruler and compass

  • Scratch paper:

    • Please prepare sufficient blank scratch paper in advance

  • Strictly prohibited items:

    • Calculators of any kind

    • Mobile phones, smart devices, or any electronic communication tools

(2) Examination Rules

  • Students must enter the examination room 15–30 minutes before the exam begins.

  • Students who arrive 15 minutes after the start time will not be permitted to take the exam.

  • After the exam concludes, all answer sheets and test papers must be submitted.

  • Candidates are not allowed to take any exam materials out of the examination room.

(3) Violations and Disciplinary Measures

  • The exam must be completed independently. Any form of impersonation or external assistance will result in score invalidation.

  • Consulting books, notes, or electronic devices, as well as any form of copying or information exchange, will be treated as academic misconduct, and scores will be voided.

  • All personal needs (water, restroom, etc.) must be addressed before the exam begins.
    Leaving the exam room during the test will be considered a violation, and the score will be invalidated.

  • Any other behavior that compromises exam fairness will result in disciplinary action.

II. Key Differences Between AIME I and AIME II

(1) Exam Schedule

The two exams are typically held approximately one week apart.

  • AIME I: February 6, 2026, 13:00–16:00 (tentative)

  • AIME II: February 12, 2026, 13:00–16:00 (tentative)

(2) Question Content and Style

The two papers are completely independent, with no overlap in questions.
While both cover similar subject areas, they differ in:

  • Knowledge combinations

  • Problem framing

  • Solution pathways

For example, AIME I algebra may emphasize nested functions, while AIME II may focus more on higher-degree equations.
Similarly, one exam may favor solid geometry, while the other emphasizes advanced plane geometry.

(3) Topic Distribution and Difficulty Fluctuations (by Year)

  • Geometry:

    • 2022: AIME I had 5 geometry problems, AIME II had 4

    • 2023: AIME I had 4 geometry problems; AIME II geometry was slightly easier

  • Algebra / Number Theory / Combinatorics:

    • In 2023, AIME I included 4 combinatorics and 4 number theory problems

    • In some years, AIME II places greater emphasis on number theory and combinatorics, with a reduced geometry proportion

  • Integrated Problems:

    • Both exams include cross-topic problems (e.g., geometry + number theory, combinatorics + polynomials), though the structures and solution strategies differ

(4) Overall Difficulty Trends

In certain years, the first 5 problems of AIME II may be easier, with later problems becoming more challenging.
In other years, the overall difficulty may be slightly higher or lower than AIME I.
There is no fixed rule, as variations arise solely from problem design.

III. High-Score Preparation Strategies for AIME

(1) Score-Based Target Strategies

  • Target: 5+ points

    • Aim to solve Problems 1–6 flawlessly

    • These problems are comparable to the later questions of AMC 12

    • Focus on core concepts and avoid careless calculation errors

  • Target: 7+ points

    • Secure accuracy on Problems 1–5

    • Selectively solve Problems 6–10 based on personal strengths (e.g., algebra or geometry)

    • Avoid spending excessive time on problems without a clear approach

  • Target: 10+ points

    • Strive for correctness through Problems 1–10

    • Reserve at least 30 minutes for Problems 11–15

    • Prioritize high-discrimination topics such as number theory and combinatorics

(2) Advanced Test-Taking Techniques and Common Pitfalls

1. Problem-Solving Techniques

  • Spend 1–2 minutes assessing each problem’s topic and difficulty; skip immediately if no clear idea emerges

  • Draw accurate diagrams for geometry problems

  • For combinatorics, test small cases to identify patterns

  • In algebra, substitute simple values to verify expressions

  • Suggested time allocation:

    • Problems 1–6: 30–40 minutes

    • Problems 7–10: 30–40 minutes

    • Problems 11–15: selective deep work

2. Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Calculation errors: keep scratch work organized and compute step by step

  • Misreading constraints such as “integer solutions” or “non-zero solutions”

  • In combinatorics and number theory, ensure all cases are considered without omission or duplication

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