The 2026 AMC 8 will officially take place tomorrow. To help students prepare smoothly, we have compiled a clear and practical summary of key exam-day instructions for your reference. Please review the information carefully.
AMC 8 2026 Exam Overview
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Date & Time: January 23, 2026 (Friday), 17:00–17:40 (40 minutes)
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Language: Bilingual (English and Chinese)
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Format: Individual competition, 25 multiple-choice questions
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Scoring Rules:
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1 point for each correct answer
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No penalty for incorrect answers
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Maximum score: 25 points
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In-Person Exam: Important Notes
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Admission Ticket Confirmation
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Log in to the registration platform to download your admission ticket
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Carefully verify the test center address and seat number
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It is strongly recommended to visit the test location in advance
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Required Items
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Valid identification (ID card or passport)
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Admission ticket
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Pens or pencils
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Blank scratch paper
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Ruler and eraser
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Calculators, smartwatches, and all electronic devices are strictly prohibited
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Arrival and Entry Rules
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Arrive at least 30 minutes before the exam
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Entry begins 10 minutes before the exam starts
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No entry is allowed 15 minutes after the exam begins
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Online Exam: Key Instructions
1. Equipment Requirements
Two devices are required for the online exam:
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Primary Exam Device
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Desktop or laptop computer only (tablets and mobile phones are not supported)
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Camera and microphone must function properly
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Google Chrome browser is required
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macOS users must not use Safari
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Secondary Proctoring Device
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Mobile phone or tablet
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Must join Tencent Meeting for live proctoring
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Camera and microphone must remain on throughout the exam
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Tencent Meeting App must be installed
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2. Proctoring Setup and System Testing
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Proctoring Device Test:
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January 22, 18:00–19:30
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Join the Tencent Meeting session to adjust camera position and device setup
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Online Mock Exam (Mandatory):
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Used to test system access and login functionality
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Must be completed before 15:00 on January 23
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Mock exam website: https://www.seedasdan.asia/amc8
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3. Exam Day Schedule (January 23)
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16:00–17:00
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Join Tencent Meeting using the proctoring device
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Prepare a valid identification document for identity verification (ID card, passport, household registry, or student ID)
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17:00
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Official exam start time
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Exam duration: 40 minutes
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Students may not log in to the exam system after the first 15 minutes
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4. Exam Conduct Rules
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Page switching or opening other applications is not permitted
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Close all unrelated software and browser tabs before the exam begins
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Do not exit the exam system during the test
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In case of force majeure, return to the exam system as soon as possible
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Final Exam-Day Checklist: What to Bring
Pack everything the night before so nothing is forgotten in the morning rush. For an in-person sitting, lay out a single bag containing:
- Your printed admission ticket and valid photo identification (ID card or passport).
- Several sharpened pencils or reliable pens, plus a backup of each.
- A clean eraser and a ruler.
- Blank scratch paper, if the test center permits you to bring your own.
- A watch with no smart features, only if the room does not provide a visible clock.
Leave behind anything that could be mistaken for a prohibited device. Calculators, smartwatches, phones, and all electronic aids are not allowed in the AMC 8, so do not bring them into the exam room at all. Arriving with a banned item, even unused, can create avoidable problems during the identity and materials check.
Understanding the 25-Question, 40-Minute Format
The AMC 8 gives you 25 multiple-choice questions and exactly 40 minutes, which averages to a little over a minute and a half per question. The questions are arranged in roughly increasing difficulty: the early problems are the most approachable, and the final problems are the hardest. A smart plan is to move briskly through the opening questions to bank those points, then spend your remaining time on the tougher problems near the end.
Remember how the scoring works in your favor: you earn 1 point for every correct answer, and there is no penalty for a wrong or blank answer, with a maximum score of 25. Because nothing is deducted for an incorrect response, you should answer all 25 questions and never leave one blank. If time is running short, fill in an answer for every remaining question rather than leaving any empty, since a guess can only help your score.
Timing and Test-Taking Strategy
With such a tight time budget, pacing is as important as mathematical skill. A few practical habits make a real difference on the day:
- Do the easy questions first. Solve every problem you find straightforward before returning to the ones that need more thought. A hard question late in the paper is worth the same single point as an easy one early on.
- Do not get stuck. If a problem resists you after a reasonable attempt, mark it, move on, and come back if time allows. Spending five minutes on one question can cost you several easier points elsewhere.
- Use the answer choices. Because every question is multiple choice, you can often test the options, estimate, or eliminate impossible answers instead of solving from scratch.
- Reserve the last minute to fill every blank. Since blanks earn nothing and wrong answers cost nothing, guess on anything unfinished before time is called.
- Work neatly on scratch paper. Clear written steps reduce careless arithmetic errors, which matter even more when no calculator is allowed.
The Night Before and Morning Of
Strong performance depends on a calm body and mind as much as on practice. In the final hours, prioritize rest over last-minute cramming: a full night of sleep will do more for your accuracy and focus than reviewing additional problems late into the evening. Have a normal meal beforehand so hunger does not become a distraction during the 40-minute window.
Confirm the practical details ahead of time, verifying your test center address, seat number, and start time, and plan to arrive early so a delay in traffic or registration does not add stress. If your sitting is online, complete any required equipment check and mock login in advance so you are confident the system works. Once the exam begins, read each question carefully, trust the preparation you have already done, and keep moving steadily through the paper.
For continued practice after this exam, you can work through earlier AMC 8 past papers to keep your skills sharp for the next stage of the competition pathway.