The American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME), as an important part of the American mathematics competition system, serves as a key platform for mathematically gifted students worldwide to showcase their talents. For test-takers in China, understanding the schedule, exam characteristics, and preparation strategies for the AIME is crucial. This article will comprehensively analyze all the detailed information for the 2026 AIME competition.
I. 2025 AMC10/12 Award Cutoff Scores and 2026 AIME Qualification Scores
To qualify for AIME, students must rank approximately in the top 2.5% of AMC10 or the top 5% of AMC12.
II. 2026 AIME Event Arrangements for China Region
According to the latest arrangements, the 2026 AIME event in China has the following important information for test-takers:
- Test-takers in China will participate in AIME II.
- The test paper language is tentatively set as Chinese-English bilingual (subject to the final notice from MAA).
- No registration fee or exam fee will be charged for this event.
- Format: In-person exam. Exam center coordinators should email their test room arrangements by January 15, 2026.
- AIME participation is limited to students who have reached the qualifying score. After 12:00 PM on December 26, 2025, candidates should click the link (https://amc.jinshuju.com/f/rwyqJW) to confirm registration. Failure to confirm means forfeiting the qualification.
- Event Schedule:
AIME registration confirmation period: December 26, 2025, 12:00 PM – January 15, 2026, 12:00 PM
AIME admission ticket inquiry: February 7, 2026, 12:00 PM – February 12, 2026, 12:00 PM
AIME exam time: February 12, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Thursday) (tentative, subject to the admission ticket information)
AIME score inquiry: 2-4 weeks after the exam (specific time to be notified)
AIME certificate download: 2-4 weeks after the exam (specific time to be notified)
III. Certificate Distribution Arrangements
AMC10&12 e-certificates can be downloaded after 12:00 PM on December 26, 2025, from the official website (http://score.math-table.world/login.html) using the registered mobile phone number and verification code.
AMC10&12 score reports and paper certificates are expected to be distributed to exam centers at the beginning of March.
IV. Efficient Preparation Strategies
Preparation strategies should vary based on the student's situation:
Strategy for those barely qualifying: If your AMC10/12 score is just above the qualifying line, focus on ensuring the accuracy of the first 10 questions. Systematically review basic knowledge points, especially algebra and geometry, aiming to get at least 9 points out of these 10 questions. Such a result is already a strong plus for applying to TOP30 schools.
Strategy for those with high AMC10 scores: Students who achieved high scores in AMC10 need to further broaden their knowledge and supplement AMC12-level topics such as trigonometry, complex numbers, vectors, etc. At the same time, conduct targeted training for AIME question types, adapting in advance to the difficulty and problem-solving style of AIME.
Strategy for those with high AMC12 scores: Students who achieved high scores in AMC12 should, while ensuring the accuracy of the first 10 questions, focus on tackling the last 5 difficult problems. This requires a deeper understanding of knowledge points and stronger comprehensive application abilities, especially skills in handling complex geometry problems and mastering advanced number theory methods.
