Preparation for the 2026 AMC 10 math competition is now in full swing! When are the registration and exam dates? Let's dive into the details.
01 2026 AMC 10 Registration & Exam Schedule
The AMC 10 is typically held in November each year. It is divided into two versions, A and B. Each exam lasts 75 minutes. Both versions have equivalent difficulty and cover the exact same scope of topics. Students may choose to take either version or register for both. Below is the recent schedule for the China region for reference.
| Item | Time |
|---|---|
| AMC 10 Version A Registration Deadline | Late October (October 27, 2025) |
| AMC 10 Version B Registration Deadline | Early November (November 9, 2025) |
| AMC 10 Version A Exam Date | Early November, 17:00-18:15 (75 minutes, offline only) |
| AMC 10 Version B Exam Date | Mid-November, 17:00-18:15 (Approximately one week after Version A) |
| 2026 Score Inquiry & E-Certificate Download | 6-8 weeks after the exam. Exact dates will be notified via registration channels. |
The official 2026 AMC 10 dates have not yet been released. You can refer to the historical schedule above for planning.
- AMC 10 Version A Registration Deadline: Late October (October 27, 2025)
- AMC 10 Version B Registration Deadline: Early November (November 9, 2025)
- AMC 10 Version A Exam: Early November, 17:00-18:15 (75 minutes, fully offline)
- AMC 10 Version B Exam: Mid-November, 17:00-18:15 (About a week after Version A)
- 2026 Score Release & Certificate Download: 6-8 weeks post-exam, notified via registration channels
02 AMC 10 Eligibility & Exam Rules
AMC 10 Eligibility:
The AMC 10 is exclusively for students in grade 10 and below (equivalent to high school freshman year or below in China), and participants must be under 17.5 years old on the day of the exam.
Generally, students in grades 7-10 participate most frequently. However, if a 6th grader has a solid foundation and a strong interest in mathematics, they can also plan ahead to prepare for the AMC 10, laying a strong foundation for future high scores.
AMC 10 Exam Format:
Offline examination, individual competition, with bilingual (Chinese/English) test papers.
AMC 10 Question Format:
25 multiple-choice questions. Each correct answer is worth 6 points, unanswered questions earn 1.5 points, and incorrect answers receive 0 points. The maximum score is 150.
AMC 10 Scoring Rules:
The exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 75 minutes. The scoring standard is: +6 for a correct answer, +1.5 for a blank answer, and 0 for an incorrect answer, with a maximum of 150 points. Students are encouraged to manage their time wisely and avoid losing points due to blind guessing.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Grade 10 and below; must be under 17.5 years old on exam day |
| Format | Offline, individual competition, bilingual test papers |
| Question Type | 25 multiple-choice questions; 6 pts correct, 1.5 pts blank, 0 pts wrong; max 150 |
| Scoring Rules | +6 correct, +1.5 blank, 0 wrong; max 150 points |
03 AMC 10 Difficulty Compared to Domestic Math
The AMC 10 difficulty level is equivalent to advanced middle school mathematics plus foundational high school mathematics in China. The difficulty ranking is: Middle School Math League < AMC 10 < High School Math League (First Round). The final questions approach the difficulty of the High School League First Round.
AMC 10 Difficulty Positioning: Middle School Math League < AMC 10 < High School Math League (First Round)
School Curriculum Overlap: 70% of the topics overlap with domestic middle school math, while 30% cover high school required courses (sequences, permutations & combinations, advanced number theory).
As long as a student has a solid middle school math foundation and can handle challenging high school entrance exam problems, they can start preparing for the AMC 10 even without completing high school math. There is no need to worry about falling behind.
The AMC 10 is not exclusively for top-tier students. Students with average proficiency can gradually catch up by dedicating time to practice and adapting to the question formats. Furthermore, preparing for the AMC 10 can conversely improve domestic math performance and enhance mathematical thinking, achieving two goals at once.
04 AMC 10 Awards & Cutoff Scores
AMC 10 Award Categories:
- Perfect Score Award: Achieving a full score of 150
- Distinguished Honor Roll (DHR): Top 1% globally
- Honor Roll (HR): Top 5% globally
- Top 10% Honor Roll: Top 10% globally
- Top 25% Honor Roll: Top 25% globally
- Achievement Roll: Scoring 90+ for students in grade 8 and below
- AIME Qualification Certificate: Reaching the seasonal AIME cutoff (typically top ~2.5% globally)
AMC 10 Historical Cutoff Scores:
| Year | Version | Top 1% Cutoff | Top 5% Cutoff | AIME Qualification Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | A | 135 | 111 | 105 |
| 2025 | B | 132 | 108 | 103.5 |
| 2024 | A | 132 | 105 | 94.5 |
| 2024 | B | 126 | 102 | 96 |
| 2023 | A | 121.5 | 100.5 | 93 |
| 2023 | B | 120 | 99 | 94.5 |
The 2025 AMC 10 cutoff scores saw a comprehensive increase, with a remarkable phenomenon where the AMC 12 Version A Top 1% cutoff required a perfect score of 150. This marks a highly competitive phase for this global mathematics competition.
Not only have the top-tier award cutoffs risen, but the AIME qualification thresholds have also surged across the board. For instance, the AMC 10 Version A qualification line jumped from 94.5 to 105. Therefore, to secure a ticket to the next stage, students must demonstrate higher and more consistent performance levels. Taking the exam without preparation is highly unlikely to yield results.
Given this intense competition, why still take the AMC 10? Because the AMC is worth the effort. Let's explore the reasons below.
05 Why Participate in the AMC 10?
1. International Recognition & College Admissions Advantage
Boost for Top University Applications: Highly valued by prestigious institutions. Ivy League schools (e.g., Harvard, MIT, Stanford) and UK G5 universities (e.g., Oxford, Cambridge) place significant emphasis on AMC 10 scores during admissions. Outstanding results (such as qualifying for AIME in the top 2.5%) can significantly enhance application competitiveness. Some university application systems even feature dedicated sections for AMC scores.
Domestic Education Support: In domestic education pathways, AMC 10 scores serve as strong proof of mathematical ability. Many top international schools in China (e.g., Shanghai World Foreign Language Academy, Beijing Keystone Academy) directly use AMC 10 past papers or similar questions in their entrance exams. High scorers may qualify for written exam waivers or receive interview bonus points.
2. Enhance Mathematical Literacy & Cognitive Skills
The AMC 10 covers core mathematical domains including algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics. Unlike domestic drill-based competitions, it is jointly designed by experts from top institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Princeton. It emphasizes logical reasoning, flexible application, and problem-solving in unfamiliar contexts. Through preparation and participation, students deepen their understanding of foundational math and cultivate the ability to apply knowledge flexibly to solve complex problems.
3. Competition Pathway & Advancement Opportunities
The AMC 10 serves as the cornerstone for higher-level math competitions. Students in the top 2.5% qualify for the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination), opening pathways to the USAMO (USA Mathematical Olympiad) and ultimately the IMO (International Mathematical Olympiad). This provides a clear progression route for students aspiring to pursue mathematics.
4. Accumulate Experience & Build Confidence
For students in grades 7-10, the AMC 10 is a relatively accessible competition with ample time for multiple attempts to gain experience and gradually improve scores. Achieving excellent results boosts students' confidence and academic motivation, laying a psychological foundation for future academic and career development.
Whether you are a first-time participant or aiming for higher awards, once you decide to compete, avoid a just trying it out mindset. Start planning earlier and engage in systematic, in-depth training.
06 Recommended Preparation Pathways
Structured preparation programs are available to suit different foundational levels and goals. Below are common training frameworks designed for grades 6-10:
Pre-AMC 10 Foundation Program (120 hours)
Target Audience: Students transitioning from grade 6 to 7, 7 to 8, or 8 to 9 with a weak foundation or first-time exposure to AMC 10.
Core Objective: Focuses on building foundational skills. Beyond test prep, it enhances overall mathematical proficiency, ensuring a smooth transition from middle school math to AMC 10. It establishes a competition knowledge framework and solidifies basics for future advanced training.
AMC 10 Core Program (50 hours)
Target Audience: Grades 7-10 students with a middle school math foundation but weak competition knowledge or specific knowledge gaps.
Core Objective: Systematically reviews core topics across the four main modules, builds a complete competition framework, and cultivates competition mindset. Helps students quickly adapt to AMC 10 difficulty and lays a solid foundation for intensive prep.
AMC 10 Advanced Program (30 hours)
Target Audience: Grades 8-10 students with a solid foundation, mastery of core topics, and a goal of reaching the global top 5% or conquering mid-range problems.
Core Objective: Targets high-frequency difficult points, teaches cross-module comprehensive problem-solving techniques, and focuses on questions 16-20. Aims to improve solving speed and accuracy to build momentum for high scores.
AMC 10 Sprint Program (30 hours)
Target Audience: Students 1-2 months before the exam, with a solid foundation, aiming for the global top 1% or AIME qualification.
Core Objective: Full-length mock exams under timed conditions to master pacing. Detailed review of mistakes to break through high-frequency error points. Explains strategies for final challenging questions to ensure stable AIME qualification and high-score pursuit.
1-on-1 Customized Program (Flexible)
Target Audience: Students needing targeted remediation for weak areas, personalized guidance for top-score goals, or flexible scheduling due to tight timelines.
Core Objective: Exclusively tailored study plans that precisely address individual weaknesses. Provides continuous one-on-one tutoring for efficient score improvement, adapting to each student's prep pace and goals.
Program Formats: Small groups (3-8 students) / 1-on-1 / Rolling enrollment
Instruction Language: Bilingual (Chinese/English) / Full English
Delivery Mode: Online / Offline synchronous learning
Flexible learning modes are available to accommodate different locations and schedules.
Get FREE AMC 10 Preparation Materials
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