Art of Problem Solving (AoPS)

ljp7266
Wed, 09 May 2012 17:53:59 +0000

^
Here is the typical route of all AMC competitions:

AMC8 - probably not applicable to you, since it is a contest for 8 graders and below.

AMC10/12 - the AMC10 is exclusively for sophomores and below, while the AMC12 is for all seniors and below. Note that they are both 75 minutes, 25 multiple choice contests. While they share some problems (word for word), the AMC12 is harder. The grading scheme for both of them is the same: 6 points for a right answer, 1.5 points for a blank response, and 0 points for an incorrect answer. Thus, the maximum score on either of them is a 150. Everyone is eligible for these exams, and one must simply sign up to take one.

AIME - students who placed in the top 2.5% of all AMC10 takers and/or scored above a 120 on the AMC10 take this, as well as students who placed in the top 5% of all AMC12 takers and/or scored above a 100 on the AMC12. It is a hard, 3 hour, 15 question exam that awards 1 point for a correct answer, and no points for an incorrect answer.

Beyond this, students who have a sufficient index (a student’s index is their AMC10/12 score + 10*(AIME score)) take the USAJMO or USAMO depending on whether they took the AMC10 or AMC12 respectively. Approximately 250 students are taken for each of them, so this feat is what most kids aim for. Of course, the students who have extraordinary ability can go onto MOP and IMO if they demonstrate sufficient knowledge on either the USAJMO or USAMO. If you care to know what these are and how one qualifies them, just ask.