AMC 10 Mathematics Competition Explained: A Complete Guide to Early Preparation

As one of the most influential mathematics competitions for undergraduate admissions, AMC 10 is widely recognized by top universities such as MIT, Stanford, and Caltech as strong evidence of academic excellence. Each year, more than 200,000 students worldwide participate in the AMC 10.

Achieving a Top 1% or Top 5% global ranking in AMC 10 is not only a direct demonstration of a student’s mathematical ability, but also a critical stepping stone to AIME qualification and prestigious summer programs such as ROSS. Early and strategic preparation is essential for students who aim to stand out.

Introduction to the AMC 10 Mathematics Competition

The AMC 10 (American Mathematics Competition 10) is part of the AMC competition series organized in the United States. It is designed for students in Grade 10 and below, with a difficulty level comparable to advanced middle school and introductory high school mathematics competitions.

AMC 10 also serves as a qualifying exam for AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination). Students who achieve the cutoff score are invited to advance to AIME.

Key Information at a Glance

• Eligibility: Grade 10 and below; not older than 17.5 years on the exam day

• Language: Bilingual (English and Chinese)

• Exam Time: Annually in November

• Paper Types: AMC 10A and AMC 10B (held about one week apart)

• Exam Format: In-person (fully restored as of 2025)

• Duration: 75 minutes

• Questions: 25 multiple-choice questions

• Scoring:

  • Correct answer: 6 points

  • Blank answer: 1.5 points

  • Incorrect answer: 0 points

• Maximum Score: 150 points

AMC 10 Exam Schedule and Registration Timeline

The AMC 10 is held every November. Registration typically opens in the second half of the year. Students planning to participate should closely monitor official announcements, as exam schedules may differ between ASDAN and the China organizing committee.

Key AMC 10 Dates (2025 Reference)

• Registration Deadline

  • AMC 10A: October 27, 2025

  • AMC 10B: November 3, 2025

• Online Mock Exam

  • AMC 10A: November 2, 2024 (12:00) – November 7, 2024 (12:00)

  • AMC 10B: November 9, 2024 (12:00) – November 13, 2024 (12:00)

• Admission Ticket Download & Exam Info

  • AMC 10A: November 2, 2024, 12:00

  • AMC 10B: November 9, 2024, 12:00

• Official Exam Dates

  • AMC 10A: November 6, 2025 (Thursday), 17:00–18:15

  • AMC 10B: November 12, 2025 (Wednesday), 17:00–18:15

• Score Release & Digital Certificates

  • Approximately 6–8 weeks after the exam

Preparation and Planning Notes

• Recommended preparation time: 6–12 months

• Expected registration opening: July–August

• Registration deadline: Around 10 days before the exam
  (Students using third-party registration should plan at least two weeks earlier)

• Important reminders:

  • Online mock exam window

  • Admission ticket download time

AMC 10 Exam Content and Topic Distribution

AMC 10 covers a broad range of mathematics topics typically taught from Grade 9 through early Grade 10, with extensions into competition-level material. The content is generally divided into four main areas.

Algebra (Approximately 35%)

• Linear, inverse, quadratic, exponential, power, and logarithmic functions

• Polynomials, domains, and ranges

• Vieta’s formulas and relationships between roots and coefficients

• Remainder theorem (competition-level extension)

• Trigonometric basics: sine, cosine, tangent

• Inequalities, including AM-GM inequality

• Sequences and series (arithmetic and geometric)

• Advanced algebraic manipulation techniques

Number Theory (Approximately 20%)

• Integers, fractions, and decimals

• Divisibility and number bases

• Modular arithmetic and congruences

• Diophantine equations (introductory)

• Advanced number theory strategies beyond standard curriculum

Geometry (Approximately 25%)

• Circles and quadrilaterals

• Cyclic quadrilaterals and tangential quadrilaterals

• Advanced triangle geometry

• Regular polygons, incircles, and circumcircles

• Law of Sines and Law of Cosines

• Angle measures from elementary to arbitrary angles

• Perimeter and area (increasing depth across grades)

• Stewart’s Theorem (derivable via trigonometric laws)

• Concurrency and collinearity

• Introductory coordinate geometry

Combinatorics (Approximately 20%)

• Binomial theorem

• Permutations and combinations

• Probability and expected value

• Recursion, binary methods

• Principle of Inclusion–Exclusion

• Advanced counting techniques

AMC 10 Awards and Distinctions

Students are encouraged to set clear goals based on award thresholds—whether aiming for Top 1%, Top 5%, or starting with a Grade-Level Honor Award before advancing further.

AMC 10 Award Categories

• Perfect Score Award
  Score of 150 points

• Distinguished Honor Roll (Top 1%)
  Approximately 120+ points

• Honor Roll (Top 5%)
  Approximately 100+ points

• Achievement Roll
  Grade 8 and below scoring 90+ points

Historical AMC 10 Cutoff Scores and AIME Qualification