Attention students preparing for the 2026 AMC Competition! As one of the most influential youth mathematics competitions worldwide, the AMC registration deadlines and exam dates are essential for planning your preparation. This comprehensive schedule guide helps you stay on track so you do not miss this golden stepping stone for elite university applications.
AMC Competition Registration and Exam Dates
2026-2027 Season: AMC Competition Schedule
1. AMC 10 / AMC 12 Mathematics Competition
Paper A:
- Registration Deadline: End of October 2026
- Exam Date: First week of November 2026 (typically around November 6)
Paper B:
- Registration Deadline: Early November 2026
- Exam Date: Second week of November 2026 (typically around November 12)
2. AMC 8 Competition
2025-2026 Season (Current):
- Registration Deadline: January 13, 2026 (Tuesday) 24:00
- AMC 8 Exam Date: January 23, 2026 (Friday) 17:00–17:40 (Beijing Time, 40 minutes total)
2026-2027 Season (Next Season - Reference):
- Exam Date: January 2027
- Registration Deadline: Around December 2026
Key Differences Between AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12
The AMC series is divided by grade level and difficulty. Understanding the distinctions helps you choose the right competition.
| Competition | Eligible Grades | Age Limit | Number of Questions | Duration | Scoring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMC 8 | Grade 8 and below | Under 14.5 years | 25 | 40 minutes | 1 point per correct answer, no penalty for wrong answers |
| AMC 10 | Grade 10 and below | Under 17.5 years | 25 | 75 minutes | 6 points correct, 1.5 unanswered, 0 wrong |
| AMC 12 | Grade 12 and below | Under 19.5 years | 25 | 75 minutes | 6 points correct, 1.5 unanswered, 0 wrong |
AMC A Paper vs B Paper: What is the Difference?
Both AMC 10 and AMC 12 offer two exam sessions (A and B) approximately one week apart. Key differences:
- Same difficulty level: Both A and B papers are designed to be equally challenging
- Different questions: Each paper has unique problems, though the topics covered are similar
- Independent scoring: You may register for both A and B sessions
- Same qualification value: Both papers qualify for AIME with equivalent cutoff scores
Choosing both A and B papers gives you two opportunities to qualify for the AIME competition.
AMC to AIME Qualification Path
The AMC series is a stepping stone in the United States math olympiad pipeline:
- AMC 8: Top scorers receive Honor Roll / Distinguished Honor Roll certificates
- AMC 10/12: Top performers qualify for the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination)
- AIME: Combined AMC + AIME scores determine qualification for USAMO/USAJMO
- USAMO/USAJMO: Top performers may be invited to the Math Olympiad Program (MOP)
How to Prepare for the AMC Competition
Familiarizing yourself with the competition schedule is the first step. To achieve high scores, you need to master past exam questions and develop problem-solving strategies. Start preparing early and work through previous years AMC papers to build familiarity with the question formats and time constraints.
Recommended Preparation Timeline:
- 6-12 months before: Build foundational knowledge in algebra, geometry, combinatorics, and number theory
- 3-6 months before: Practice with past AMC papers and identify weak areas
- 1-3 months before: Timed practice exams and targeted improvement on difficult topics
- Last month: Review key formulas, strategies, and take full-length mock exams
