What is AMC?
The AMC (American Mathematics Competitions) is an international mathematics competition organized by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). Its full name is the American Mathematics Competitions. As one of the most popular high school competitions in North America, the AMC attracts over 300,000 students annually to participate in the North American contests. It is one of the most prestigious mathematics competitions, drawing a vast number of participants.
About the AMC 12
The AMC 12 is an intermediate-level examination within the AMC series, designed to challenge students in Grade 12 and below who have a passion for mathematics. High-scoring participants in the AMC 12 are invited to take the more challenging American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). The AMC 12 consists of 25 multiple-choice questions and takes 75 minutes to complete; the exam covers the entire high school curriculum—including trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry—but excludes calculus.
AMC 12 (1H) Math Competition: Experience Classes, Full-Length Courses, Sprint Classes, and Intensive Classes—Now Open for Enrollment!
Scan the QR code to view the course schedule, choose the option that suits your needs, and download study materials ⇓
Important Update: U.S. AMC Competitions
2025 AMC 10/12 Award Cutoff Scores Announced
AIME I Exam Time: February 2, 2026, 13:00–16:00
AIME II Exam Time: February 6, 2026, 13:00–16:00
Note: Candidates in China may only register for the AIME II exam (AIME I is not open to international candidates).
2025 AMC 10/12 Awards Updates
There are new changes to the AMC 10/12 awards structure this year—please take note!
1. Newly Added Awards
▸ New: Top 10% Honor Roll (Global Top 10%)
▸ New: Top 25% Honor Roll (Global Top 25%)
2. Existing Awards Remain Unchanged (Existing awards—such as the Top 1%, Top 5%, AIME Cutoff, and Lower Grade Achievement Awards—remain exactly as before.)
▸ Perfect Score
▸ Honor Roll of Distinction
▸ Distinction
▸ Achievement Roll
▸ AIME Qualification Certificate
2025 AMC 12 Exam Dates and Locations
USA Region (US Time)
| AMC 12 A | AMC 12 B | |
| Early Bird Registration Deadline | September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2025 |
| Regular Registration Deadline | October 15, 2025 | October 15, 2025 |
| Extend Registration Deadline | October 28, 2025 | October 28, 2025 |
| Exam Time | November 5, 2025 | November 13, 2025 |
China Region
AMC 12 A Exam Date: November 6, 2025, 17:00–18:15
AMC 12 B Exam Date: November 14, 2025, 17:00–18:15
The A and B versions of the AMC 12 feature the same number of questions, the same scoring system, and the same administrative rules. The only difference is the competition date; while each version contains a distinct set of problems, the difficulty level and thematic distribution of both exams are identical.
2025 AMC 12 Exam Locations
Exam Location: The AMC 12 competition is offered in both online and in-person formats.
In-Person Exam: Students who registered through a designated registration center must travel independently to the designated exam venue to take the test.
Online Exam: If a candidate is unable to participate in the in-person exam, they may opt to take the exam online.
Exam Results: Exam results can be checked 6 to 8 weeks after the exam.
Why is Participating in the AMC 12 Recommended?
1. Enhance Problem-Solving Skills
In the AMC 12 examination, students are exposed to mathematical concepts and techniques that are both deeper and broader than those found in a standard high school curriculum. Students are required to apply their acquired knowledge in complex and unique ways; this means that preparing for and participating in the AMC will challenge students to push themselves to their absolute limits.
This advanced level of study not only deepens their understanding of existing mathematical knowledge but also helps students better navigate the challenges presented by international curricula such as the IB and AP programs.
2. Advance to Higher-Level Mathematics Competitions
Qualifying for the AIME is a highly significant achievement. If your score places you within the top 5% of AMC 12 participants, you earn the opportunity to advance to the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). Combined scores from the AMC and AIME can secure you a spot in the USA(J)MO (United States of America Mathematical Olympiad), potentially leading to eventual participation in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
(Note: Students holding Chinese citizenship are eligible to compete up to the AIME level but are not eligible to participate in the USA(J)MO. However, high scores on the AMC and AIME will still help you stand out significantly in your university applications.)
3. Stand Out in University Admissions
Even if you do not qualify for the AIME, achieving a strong score on the AMC 12 will undoubtedly catch the eye of university admissions committees. While universities do pay attention to standardized tests like the SAT, competitions such as the AMC are not only more rigorous but also inherently self-selecting; typically, only students who already possess strong mathematical aptitude choose to participate. This implies that the top 10% of scorers on the AMC represent a much more exclusive group than the top 1% of scorers on the SAT.
Many prestigious universities—including MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and Caltech—specifically request applicants to report their results from the AMC.
How to Prepare for the AMC 12 Competition?
1. Focus on your weak areas and prioritize strengthening your understanding of these specific topics.
2. Keep a record of the problems you are unable to solve; then, try to decipher the solution logic or seek guidance from a teacher.
3. Avoid careless errors: Pay close attention to details during calculations—especially when working without a calculator—and carefully double-check every step.
4. Join your school's math club to learn from your peers. Seek advice on strategies for achieving a high score on the test.
5. Remember that you do not need a perfect score to qualify for the AIME. You simply need to outperform the majority of other students to secure a top spot. Therefore, developing a sound test-taking strategy is crucial.
AMC 12 Cutoff Scores for the Past Four Years
| AMC12 | Honor Roll of Distinction | Certificate of Distinction | AIME cutoff | |
| 2024 | AMC12 Paper A | 133.5 | 108 | 76.5 |
| AMC12 Paper B | 139.5 | 118.5 | 88.5 | |
| 2023 | AMC12 Paper A | 136.5 | 112.5 | 85.5 |
| AMC12 Paper B | 139.5 | 115.5 | 88.5 | |
| 2022 | AMC12 Paper A | 126 | 106.5 | 93 |
| AMC12 Paper B | 129 | 105 | 85.5 | |
| 2021(Fall) | AMC12 Paper A | 130.5 | 91.5 | 91.5 |
| AMC12 Paper B | 130.5 | 84 | 84 | |
| 2021(Spring) | AMC12 Paper A | 133.5 | 93 | 93 |
| AMC12 Paper B | 132 | 91.5 | 91.5 | |
AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination)
The AIME is a 3-hour examination consisting of 15 problems, where every answer is an integer ranging from 0 to 999.
The AIME serves as an intermediate examination situated between the AMC 10 or AMC 12 and the USAMO. All students who take the AMC 12 and achieve a score of 100 points or higher (out of a maximum of 150) or place within the top 5% are invited to participate in the AIME.
