With the official release of the 2026 AMC10/12 schedule, summer has become the golden window for year-round preparation. The AMC competition is not only a "hard currency" for applying to top overseas universities but also the best way to develop fundamental mathematical thinking. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the exam schedule, format differences, and registration process to help you prepare efficiently.
I. 2026 AMC10/12 Exam Schedule and Core Format
Exam Dates (China Region):
Version A: November 5, 2026 (Thursday) 17:00–18:15
Version B: November 13, 2026 (Friday) 17:00–18:15
Registration Deadline: October 26, 2026, 23:59:59
Exam Format: 75 minutes, 25 multiple-choice questions, total score 150 (6 points for correct answers, 1.5 points for blank answers, no deduction for wrong answers).
Eligibility: AMC10 is for students in grade 10 or below who are under 17.5 years old on the exam day; AMC12 is for students in grade 12 or below who are under 19.5 years old.
Version A/B Selection Strategy: The two versions are similar in difficulty and cover exactly the same topics. The higher score will be used for awards and AIME qualification. It is strongly recommended to take both versions to gain more practical experience and mental resilience.
II. Core Differences Between AMC10 and AMC12 and Selection Strategy
Although AMC12 is more difficult, it offers a higher "cost-performance ratio" for advancing to AIME.
1. Scope and Difficulty
AMC10: Covers elementary mathematics from middle school to grade 10, excluding advanced high school topics such as trigonometry, complex numbers, and logarithms. The first 15 questions are basic to intermediate, while the last 10 are challenging and require high-level thinking, making the competition for high scores extremely intense.
AMC12: Covers the entire high school mathematics curriculum (excluding calculus), adding logarithms, complex numbers, trigonometry, and other core topics. Overall difficulty is higher, with the last 5 questions approaching AIME level. However, because the intermediate-difficulty questions are more evenly distributed, students with a complete knowledge base can more easily secure a solid score through consistent performance.
2. Qualification Standards and Cutoff Scores
AMC10: The AIME cutoff is generally higher (approximately 100–120 points), with qualification limited to about the top 2.5%.
AMC12: The AIME cutoff is relatively lower (approximately 85–100 points), with qualification limited to about the top 5%. Since AMC12 and AMC10 share 40%–60% of the same foundational questions, students with a solid high school knowledge base can often qualify for AIME more easily through AMC12 by strategically skipping difficult questions and securing mid-range problems, rather than competing for top rankings on the first 20 questions in AMC10.
3. Optimal Selection Strategy
Grade 9 and below: Focus on AMC10 Version A + B to build confidence and gain practical experience through AMC10 first.
Grade 10: Consider AMC10 Version A + AMC12 Version B (or vice versa). Use the "mix-and-match" strategy: secure a baseline with AMC10 and aim for a higher ceiling with AMC12.
Grades 11–12: Take AMC12 Version A + B. This is the last opportunity to demonstrate mathematical ability before college applications. The goal should be to aim for the global top 1% (DHR) and present a strong academic profile for prestigious university applications.
III. Registration Guide
AMC10/12 does not support direct individual registration. Registration must be completed through one of the following four officially recognized channels:
School-based registration: If your school is an official partner test center, submit your personal information to the school teacher for centralized registration.
ASDAN Mini-Program registration: Applicable for students from partner schools. Search for the "ASDAN International Science Assessment" mini-program on WeChat, complete the required information, select the exam session, upload a scanned copy of your ID, and pay the registration fee (120 RMB per session).
China Region Organizing Committee official website registration: Applicable for students from non-partner schools. Visit the official website, register an account, fill out the application form, and upload a certificate of enrollment.
Agency-based registration: We are an officially authorized AMC test center. Scan the QR code to consult about agency registration.
With only half a year remaining until the exam, it is recommended to use the summer vacation for systematic planning, identify knowledge gaps, and combine past paper practice to steadily aim for high-value awards.
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