The AMC 8 (American Mathematics Competition 8) is one of the most popular mathematics competitions for elementary and middle school students worldwide. Whether you are building a competitive profile for school admissions or developing your child's mathematical thinking, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Is the AMC 8?
The AMC 8 is an international mathematics competition organized by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), designed for students in Grade 8 and below. The competition has been running since 1950 — over 75 years — and its problem-setting committee includes experts from top institutions such as MIT, Harvard, and Princeton.
While originally popular in North America, the AMC 8 has seen surging international participation. In 2025, Chinese registrants alone approached 80,000 students.
The AMC competition series includes AMC 8, AMC 10/12, and AIME. Notably, there is no advancement requirement between AMC 8/10/12 — students can participate in any or all based on their readiness.
AMC 8 Competition Rules
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Grade 8 and below, under 15.5 years old, no nationality restriction |
| Format | Individual, 25 multiple-choice questions |
| Duration | 40 minutes |
| Scoring | 1 point per correct answer, no penalty for wrong answers, max score 25 |
| Location | Online and offline at authorized test centers |
AMC 8 Content Areas
- Algebra: Integers, fractions, decimals, ratios, equations, sequences
- Geometry: Plane geometry (perimeter, area, Pythagorean theorem), basic solid geometry
- Number Theory: Primes, composites, divisibility, GCD, LCM
- Combinatorics: Permutations, combinations, probability, logical reasoning
Award Categories
| Award | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Perfect Score | Score of 25/25 |
| Global Honor Roll of Distinction | Top 1% globally |
| Global Honor Roll | Top 5% globally |
| Achievement Roll | Grade 6 and below scoring 15 or higher |
How to Register for AMC 8
AMC 8 does not support individual registration. There are three main registration pathways:
1. School Registration
If your school is an authorized AMC 8 testing center, contact your teacher for unified school registration. The school handles information submission and payment.
2. ASDAN China Platform
Register via the ASDAN WeChat mini-program (search “ASEDAN”) or through the ASDAN website at seedasdan.org. Create an account, complete student information, and pay the registration fee.
3. Authorized Institution Registration
If your school is not a testing center, authorized institutions can register on your behalf.
AMC 8 Question Difficulty Distribution
- Questions 1-5 (Easy): Grade 3-4 level knowledge, quick and accurate completion saves time for harder problems
- Questions 6-10 (Moderate-Easy): Grades 3-5 knowledge with logical thinking required
- Questions 11-15 (Medium): Grades 6-8 extension topics such as sequences and combinatorics
- Questions 16-20 (Hard): Advanced application problems testing comprehensive ability and problem-solving techniques
- Questions 21-25 (Very Hard): Decisive questions for top 1% ranking, typically combining multiple knowledge points with advanced problem-solving skills
Important Reminder
The AMC 8 is held once per year, typically in mid-to-late January. Plan ahead to avoid missing registration. The 2026 competition is scheduled for January 23.
Don't miss the AMC 8 registration deadline — start preparing today! Contact us for personalized course recommendations.
