What is the AMC 10? A parent’s guide.
The next step up from the AMC 8 — and the gateway to the AIME and USA Math Olympiad. Here’s what the AMC 10 is, how its scoring differs, and how to help a strong student prepare.
The short version
The AMC 10 is a 25-question, 75-minute competition for students in grade 10 and below. Unlike the AMC 8, its scoring rewards accuracy over guessing, and top scorers qualify for the prestigious AIME — the next rung on the ladder toward the USA Math Olympiad.
What the AMC 10 actually is
The AMC 10 is the middle rung of the American Mathematics Competitions, for students in grade 10 and below who are under 17.5 on competition day. It’s a 25-question, 75-minute, multiple-choice exam — longer and considerably harder than the AMC 8 — covering algebra, geometry, number theory, and counting and probability, all without a calculator.
Like the rest of the pathway, it rewards problem-solving over memorization. But the AMC 10 raises the stakes: it’s the exam where the competition ladder truly begins, because a strong score qualifies a student for the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination), and from there the path leads toward the USA Math Olympiad.
The AMC 8 is where a child discovers competition math. The AMC 10 is where it starts to count.
How scoring works — and why it’s different
This is the most important thing to understand, because it changes strategy. On the AMC 10:
- A correct answer is worth 6 points
- A blank (unanswered) is worth 1.5 points
- A wrong answer is worth 0 points
Because a blank scores more than a wrong guess, reckless guessing is penalized — unlike the AMC 8, where you should always guess. A student who can confidently answer, say, 12 questions and wisely leaves the rest blank can out-score one who answers everything but makes mistakes. Teaching a child when to skip is part of AMC 10 preparation.
Who it’s for, and when it runs
The AMC 10 suits students in grade 10 or below who are ready for a serious step up — typically those who have already met competition math, often through the AMC 8. It runs once a year in two versions (10A and 10B) on separate dates, through schools and competition managers. As always, confirm the current year’s dates on the MAA’s official site and register early.
How to help your child prepare
AMC 10 preparation follows the same principle as the AMC 8, only deeper: build genuine mathematical understanding first, then sharpen with past papers. At this level the foundations have to be solid — fluent algebra, real command of geometry, and comfort with number theory and counting.
- Strengthen the core topics beyond school depth — the AMC 10 assumes fluency, then tests cleverness on top of it.
- Practise past 10A and 10B papers under timed conditions to build pace and the skip-strategy the scoring rewards.
- Review every solution properly — understanding an elegant method matters far more than the number of papers completed.
Because the jump from AMC 8 to AMC 10 is steep, this is the stage where structured teaching and a strong peer group make the biggest difference. Working alongside students at a similar level, guided through unfamiliar problems, builds the confidence and technique that solo drilling rarely does.
AMC 10 — parent FAQ
Should my child do the AMC 8 first?
Usually yes. The AMC 8 is the natural introduction and builds the experience that makes the AMC 10 far less daunting — but a strong older student can start at the AMC 10.
What’s a good score?
It varies by year, but qualifying for the AIME is the milestone most families aim at. More importantly, steady year-on-year improvement is a genuine achievement.
Why shouldn’t they guess on everything?
Because a blank is worth 1.5 points and a wrong answer is worth 0. Strategic skipping can raise a score — knowing when to skip is a real skill.
10A vs 10B — what’s the difference?
They’re two versions on different dates, similar in difficulty. Some students sit both to maximise their chance of a strong result.
How do we get started?
Confirm the current dates on the MAA site and make sure the foundations are strong. If you’d like help judging whether your child is ready, we offer a free placement chat.