Category: Blog

I. 2025 AMC12 Exam A vs Exam B: Exam Comparison

Dimension	Exam A	Exam B
Overall Difficulty	Medium-low, friendly structure	Medium-high, high thinking intensity
Algebra Proportion	44% (core), intuitive problems, focuses on basic operations	Focuses on functions, polynomials, sequences, emphasizes abstract transformation and symbolic manipulation
Number Theory Assessment	Almost no standalone questions, significantly weakened	Introduces new concepts (e.g., "sum-free sets"), emphasizes logical reasoning and just-in-time learning ability
Combinatorics Module	Increased proportion (due to reduced number theory), medium difficulty	Integration of probability and geometry, requires multi-step modeling, high-intensity case analysis
Geometry Module	Stable number of questions, moderate difficulty	Notably difficult: includes solid/analytic geometry, problems require complex constructions and heavy computation
Problem-Setting Trend	Adjusted module structure, tests breadth of revision	"Emphasis on application, strong innovation", highlights mathematical modeling and visual analysis

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II. How Can Students in Different Grades Prepare Scientifically?

Grade 9 (Middle School 3): Build Foundation + Explore the Path

Current Status: Just finished middle school math, possesses AMC10 foundation, but has not systematically encountered high school topics (trigonometry, complex numbers, logarithms).
Strategy: Focus on experience; do not force qualification, emphasize building confidence.
Action Plan:

Do 3–5 AMC12 past problems daily (prioritize questions 1–15), practicing by algebra/geometry modules;

Use six months (November 2025 – May 2026) to preview core high school content: functions, trigonometric identities, basic sequences;

You may also take AMC10 in parallel to double‑check your ability.

Advantage: Ample time, low trial‑and‑error cost, paving the way for aiming at AIME in 10th grade.

Grades 10–11 (High School 1–2): Golden Sprint Period

Current Status: Have completed most high school math content, knowledge system is complete, no immediate university application pressure.
Strategy: Fill the gaps in competition topics (combinatorics, number theory, advanced geometry); transition from "can solve" to "fast, accurate, stable".
Action Plan:

Systematically study AoPS Volume 2 and Intermediate Counting & Probability;

Complete 2 timed mock exams per week (alternating between Exam A and Exam B), focusing on problems 16–25;

Build a "mistake – knowledge point – solution model" triple‑entry file to fill gaps in a targeted way.

Goals:

Grade 10: AMC12 ≥ 95 points (secure AIME qualification);

Grade 11: AMC12 ≥ 125 points (aim for Honorable Mention / Distinction).

Key Reminder: This stage is critical for shaping your application profile; AMC12 scores directly affect eligibility for summer programs and research projects.

Grade 12 (High School 3): Final Sprint + Consolidate Achievements

Current Status: Facing university applications, time is fragmented, but knowledge is most complete.
Strategy: Focus on efficiency. Abandon overly tricky or uncommon problems, focus on high‑frequency core topics and classic problem types.
Action Plan:

Daily timed practice with one set of past problems from the last 3 years (strictly 75 minutes);

Consolidate answering rhythm: first 20 questions ≤ 55 minutes, aim to solve 2 of the last 5 questions;

Strengthen the "skip strategy": if uncertain, it is better not to answer (get 1.5 points).

Goal: Ensure AIME qualification or an Honorable Mention award, as a strong supplement to your application materials.
Note: This is your last opportunity to take the exam. Plan your time carefully to avoid conflicts with standardized tests.

AMC12 Preparation Courses

Our instructors are all graduates of top global universities. With precise curriculum planning and full‑course learning tracking, we support you all the way to improving scores and winning awards! Scan the QR code to learn about AMC10/12 competition courses. You can also receive a free, carefully prepared lecture handout. Online customer service. WeChat consultation.

In fact, choosing the wrong track can make even the hardest work counterproductive. What truly determines whether you can stand out isn't just the difficulty of the problems, but three key dimensions most people overlook: knowledge scope, problem structure, and competitive pool.

I. Knowledge Scope: AMC12 is Indeed "Broader", but Not Necessarily "More Suitable"

AMC10 is for students in grade 10 or below and does not involve trigonometry, logarithms, complex numbers, advanced number theory, etc. AMC12 covers all high school mathematics knowledge (excluding calculus), including core precalculus content. This means:

✅ If you haven't systematically studied high school math, forcibly challenging AMC12 will likely cause you to stumble frequently within the first 15 questions.

✅ But if you have already mastered the core knowledge of high school algebra, trigonometry, functions, etc., AMC12 can actually help you avoid the "overly competitive red sea" of AMC10.

The key is not "can I learn it", but "does it match my current knowledge system".

II. Problem Structure: Perceived Difficulty ≠ Actual Scoring Efficiency

Although both exams use a "easy first, hard later" stepped design, students' actual experiences are very different:

AMC10: The first 15 questions are relatively basic, but the difficulty of questions 16–25 jumps significantly, often requiring creative thinking. Many students spend too much time on the basic questions, leaving no time to think about the final challenging problems.

AMC12: The middle-section questions (11–20) are more smoothly distributed. As long as your knowledge coverage is complete, it's easier to steadily score points, making it especially suitable for students with solid logic and accurate calculation skills.

In other words: AMC10 tests your ability to break through "from knowing to cleverness", while AMC12 tests your ability to control "from completeness to stability".

III. Competitive Pool: Who You Compete Against Is More Important Than the Problems Themselves

This is the most underestimated point—the competition in the high-score range of AMC10 is far more intense than in AMC12. Why? Because a large number of competition-oriented top students in grades 9–10 concentrate on taking AMC10, with a clear goal: to achieve the top 1% (DHR) or qualify for AIME. The test-taker pool for AMC12 is more dispersed, including some "trial" or "retake" participants, which may create a "low-lying area effect" in the high-score range.

Even more critically: The cutoff score for qualifying for AIME from AMC10 (approximately the top 2.5%) is usually higher than from AMC12. This is because the organizing committee hopes to guide students to progress step by step—AMC12 is inherently more difficult, so if its qualifying score were even higher, it would discourage lower-grade students.

IV. How to Choose Scientifically? Decide Based on Grade + Foundation + Goal

Grades 9–10 Students:

Average foundation / New to competitions: Prioritize AMC10. Goal: Familiarize yourself with question types, gain experience, and aim for the top 5% (Distinction).

Solid math skills / Already completed core high school content: Challenge AMC10 directly. Advantage: Use higher-level scores to impress admissions officers, and competition pressure may be lower.

Time and energy permit? Register for both AMC10 and AMC12! Use the time difference between A and B papers (usually two weeks apart), take AMC10A first to secure a baseline, then aim for AMC12B to maximize your chances of qualifying.

Grades 11–12 Students: You can only take AMC12, so be sure to give it your all. Focus on breaking through questions 16–25, aim for the top 5% or AIME qualification, and add a key asset to your application season.

AMC12 Preparation Courses

Our instructors all graduated from top universities worldwide. With precise curriculum planning and full-course learning tracking, we escort you all the way to improving scores and winning awards! Scan the code to learn about AMC10/12 competition courses. You can also receive a free self-developed, well-edited lecture handout. Online customer service. WeChat consultation.