AMC 12 Pre-Competition FAQ
1. What is the AMC 12?
The AMC 12 is a 25-question, 75-minute multiple-choice competition in secondary school mathematics. High scores on the AMC 10 or 12 can qualify participants for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME).
2. Who is eligible to take the AMC 12?
The AMC 12 is open to students in Grade 12 and below. Specifically, students who are in Grade 12 or below *and* under 19.5 years of age on the day of the competition are eligible to participate in the AMC 12.
3. What languages are available for the AMC 12 exam paper?
Since 2020, to facilitate participation for students in China, the AMC 10 has offered an optional bilingual Chinese-English exam paper. Additionally, the AMC 10/12 is available in French, Spanish, Large Print, and Braille versions, which are provided solely for print administration purposes.
4. Is there a difference between the 'A' and 'B' versions of the exam (AMC 12A and AMC 12B)?
Yes! There are some differences between the 'A' and 'B' versions. The primary difference is the competition date; each version features a distinct set of problems, although the difficulty levels and topical distribution remain consistent across both exams.
5. Is the AMC 12 an online or in-person exam?
The format of the exam depends on the specific organizing entity. Some international schools may arrange centralized, in-person exams, while students unable to attend a physical venue may opt for an online exam.
6. What materials do I need to prepare for the AMC 12 exam?
**Identification Card / Hong Kong & Macau Travel Permit / Passport:**
Candidates from mainland China must prepare their National ID Card in advance; candidates from Hong Kong or Macau must prepare their Hong Kong & Macau Travel Permit or Passport.
**Important Note:** Before the exam begins, you must verify in advance that your identification document is still valid (not expired). If it has expired, you must visit the relevant authorities to apply for a new document!
**Candidate Admission Ticket:**
After logging into the official website, candidates can select the "Print Admission Ticket" option located on the left side of the "Exam Activation Successful" page. Once the preview page loads, simply click "Download & Print." To prevent issues in case the original ticket is lost, it is recommended that candidates print several extra copies in advance as backups. Exam Stationery:
Ruler, compass, protractor, eraser (must be free of any markings), and scratch paper;
2B pencils (you may bring an extra pencil or several spare lead refills); black gel pen;
Watch (preferably a non-electronic watch).
AMC12 Online Exam: Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I retrieve my candidate account and password within the exam system?
Once the Organizing Committee enables the exam information lookup feature, students may visit the official website, click on "My Registration" in the top-right corner, and then click on "Exam Information Lookup" to retrieve their account details and password.
2. How do candidates log in to the exam system?
Visit the official website and click on "Exam Portal" in the top-right corner of the page. Enter the "Candidate Account" and "Password" retrieved from the exam information lookup to log in to the exam system and participate in both the mock exam and the official exam.
3. How early must I enter the exam system? Can I still take the exam if I arrive late?
The official exam includes pre-exam procedures, such as identity verification; therefore, you must enter the exam system 30 minutes in advance to await the start of the exam. You will be unable to enter the exam system 15 minutes after the scheduled start time, and your absence will be recorded as a withdrawal.
4. Can I take the AMC12 competition using a mobile phone?
No. Although the AMC12 competition is conducted online, you are required to use a computer to log in to the exam system. Additionally, you must prepare a separate mobile device (such as a smartphone or tablet) to be used for proctoring purposes.
5. What are the equipment requirements for the AMC12 exam?
6. Can I submit my exam early during the AMC 12 competition?
Candidates are not permitted to submit their exams early during the AMC 10/12 competition. During the exam, candidates must not leave the area under video surveillance, nor are they allowed to eat or drink; failure to comply will result in the invalidation of their exam results.
If you accidentally exit the exam interface, you must log back in; your previously entered answers will be saved automatically. The AMC 10/12 exam system does not allow for prolonged switching away from the exam window; doing so will result in the exam being forcibly submitted or being flagged as academic misconduct.
7. Must I close applications such as QQ and WeChat during the exam?
Before the official exam begins, you must close all background programs, keeping only the Google Chrome browser used for the exam open. This is to prevent the exam system from misidentifying window switching as academic misconduct.
8. Am I allowed to drink water or leave to use the restroom during the exam?
Candidates are not permitted to submit their exams early. During the exam, candidates must not leave the area under video surveillance, nor are they allowed to eat or drink; failure to comply will result in the invalidation of their exam results.
9. What should I do if I accidentally close the exam interface while answering questions?
Upon logging back in, the exam timer will resume counting down, and the system will automatically retain the answers you had previously entered.
10. What does the system alert "Window Switching Detected" mean?
During the exam, the system automatically detects and prohibits suspicious actions—such as copying, pasting, or taking screenshots—that may constitute academic misconduct. Candidates are strictly prohibited from leaving the exam page or switching to other applications to use search or communication functions before the exam concludes. If the system detects window switching, it will issue a warning and forcibly submit the exam; the results for that specific exam session will be invalidated.
Common Post-AMC 12 Questions
1. What happens after the AMC 12?
Students who achieve a high score on the AMC 12 will receive an invitation to participate in the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination).
2. How do I request a rescore of my answer sheet?
Use the AMC 10 Rescore Request Form to apply for a rescore. A fee of $35 is charged for rescoring each participant's answer sheet. The official answers are those marked on the answer key. All participant answer sheets returned for scoring will be recycled 80 days after the AMC 10/12 competition date.
3. How long does it take for results to be released after the exam?
Generally, AMC 12 results are released and available for inquiry within 4 to 6 weeks after the exam.
4. How soon after the AMC 12 can I download my certificate?
AMC 12 certificates become available for download within 6 to 8 weeks after the exam.
5. What is the significance of the various AMC 12 awards?
AMC 12 Score Qualifies for AIME:
This is beneficial for students applying to U.S. universities ranked in the top 30–50 overall.
AMC 12 Score in the Top 5% Globally:
This signifies that a student demonstrates exceptional proficiency in high school mathematics and may consider applying to U.S. universities ranked in the top 30–50 overall.
AMC 12 Score in the Top 2.5% Globally:
This indicates that a student is truly outstanding in high school mathematics and is well-qualified to apply to U.S. universities ranked in the top 30 overall.
AMC 12 Score in the Top 1% Globally:
This demonstrates that a student possesses extraordinary talent in high school mathematics and is well-qualified to apply to U.S. universities ranked in the top 20 overall.
