<p>Hi, I’m a freshman, and I’m wondering what courses should I take in order to get into SUMaC and do well in AMC 12 later in my high school career. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>SUMaC
-I’m currently taking AP Calc AB, and I’d like to know what topics does the SUMaC qualifying test concentrate on? Where should I take courses for these topics?
-I’m thinking probably Topology, Number Theory, etc. Correct?
-So basically what courses should I take during summer after freshman year, during sophomore year to get into SUMaC during the summer after sophomore year?</p></li>
<li><p>AMC 12
-The AMC topics are Geometry, Combinatorics, Number Theory, Advanced Algebra
-How should I learn concepts/theorems/principles behind these topics besides just doing problems? Anyone have any good books where I can learn these at AIME-level?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Here is my high school math plan:
Freshman: AP Calculus AB</p>
<p>Summer after Freshman: Discrete Math through EPGY</p>
<p>Sophomore: AP Calc BC
-Should I take an online class through EPGY here if I’m missing any critical topics?</p>
<p>Summer after Sophomore: Would I be able to do SUMaC???</p>
<p>sirswish, SUMaC isn’t designed to be competition prep. It’s about exploring pure mathematics at a higher level than high school or AP courses do. You can look at past qualifying exams at the SUMaC website to see what the problems are like. They’re meant to be solved over an extended period of time, and they require familiarity with mathematical proofs. One good book for getting background would be The Art and Craft of Problem Solving by Paul Zeitz. Good luck.</p>
<p>Yeah I’m taking Discrete Math primarily to help with AMC. And thanks for the read zenkoan, I was referring to AMC though, when I mentioned competition prep, hahaha. But thanks for the advice for looking at the SUMaC website. I’ll take a look!</p>
<p>sirswish, the link that crazymomster gave you to the Art of Problem Solving website is the one to follow. Go to the “bookstore” tab at that site, and there is a sub-tab called “American Mathematics Competitions” with a variety of books designed for AMC prep. AoPS’s own books (Art of Problem Solving: Vol. I–The Basics, and Vol II–And Beyond) are excellent prep for AMC 12.</p>
<p>Since you are a freshman, you can take AMC 10, which is much easier to qualify for AIME. They made it impossible by taking AMC 12 to qualify for AIME in the past two years. Even you pass with AMC 12, very likely your score would not be high enough to qualify for USAMO. AIME tests vary depending on your luck. Last year’s AIME I was difficult, but AIME II was easy.</p>
<p>You probably need a coach to help you. Reading those books is not much different from practicing the past AMC problems.</p>
<p>ewho, it very much depends on the student’s background and aptitude. I know lots of people who aced the AMC exams, and qualified for/did well on the AIME, without coaches. Many of them used the AoPS materials, which I think are far better prep than just doing the past AMC problems. AoPS explains both the concepts and methods of approaching the problems. The book by Paul Zeitz I recommended above is also great for self-study.</p>
<p>Sorry to reopen this thread, but I was wondering if you had any other books other than these? </p>
<p>On my list I have:</p>
<p>Art of Problem Solving Volume II
Art and Craft of Problem Solving by Paul Zeitz
Problem Solving Strategies by Arthur Engel
First Steps Math Olympians Competitions </p>
<p>Sorry for not replying all those months ago, but I truly appreciated your help guys.</p>