Serving as a bridge between school-level mathematics and advanced international competitions, AMC10 is becoming a focal point for many families planning for further education. It is ly open to students in grade 10 and below, with a knowledge framework covering all content from Chinese grade 8 to grade 11. Its overall difficulty is not only higher than the final questions of the high school entrance exam but also precisely aligns with the level of the Chinese Junior High School Mathematics League, making it a golden pathway connecting school mathematics to high-level international competitions.
I. AMC10 Basic Information and Difficulty Tiers
AMC10 uses bilingual (Chinese-English) test papers and is scheduled for November 2026. Candidates are required to complete 25 multiple-choice questions within 75 minutes. The scoring system is extremely strict: 6 points for each correct answer, 1.5 points for each unanswered question, and 0 points for incorrect answers, with a total score of 150 points.
The difficulty of the test paper presents a clear stepwise tiering, precisely corresponding to different levels of mathematical proficiency:
Questions 1–10 (Warm-up): Difficulty level aligns with mid-range questions from the Chinese high school entrance exam, primarily testing direct application of school-level knowledge points, serving as the foundation for scoring.
Questions 11–20 (The Divide): Difficulty reaches the level of the Chinese Junior High School Mathematics League, requiring students to possess preliminary competition-level thinking. This is the core area that distinguishes average good students from top-tier performers.
Questions 21–25 (High-difficulty Sprint): Difficulty approaches the level of the first round of the Chinese High School Mathematics League. This section concentrates on comprehensive problems in number theory and combinatorics, and is the critical battleground for achieving high scores and global awards.
II. Four Core Changes to the 2026 AMC10 Season
With the approach of the 2026 season, AMC10 has undergone significant adjustments in exam format, award structure, and question trends, requiring a comprehensive upgrade to preparation strategies:
1. Exam Format: Full Return to In-Person, Seats on a First-Come-First-Served Basis
Starting from 2026, AMC10 has fully eliminated online at-home testing and only supports in-person paper-based exams. Seats are allocated on a "first-come, first-served" basis, with no make-up or extension opportunities. Students from non-test-center schools need to register as early as possible through ly authorized test centers.
2. Award Structure: New Mid-to-High Tier Awards Added, Intensifying Competition
In addition to retaining the Top 1% globally (DHR), Top 5% globally (HR), AIME qualification line, and the Achievement Award for lower grades, the competition has added new "Top 10% globally" and "Top 25% globally" awards. While this expands the chances of winning for above-average students, it also means that competition for award cutoff scores will become more intense overall.
3. Question Trends: Increased Difficulty, Emphasis on Modular Integration
The overall difficulty of the test paper has increased, with a reduction in pure calculation problems and a greater focus on modular integration of knowledge points. Algebra and geometry still dominate, but the proportion and difficulty of dynamic geometry, analytic geometry, and combinatorics have increased. Number theory questions place greater emphasis on depth (such as modular arithmetic and congruences), placing higher demands on logical reasoning and mathematical modeling abilities.
4. Preparation Timeline: Summer Becomes the Critical Sprint Period
In response to these changes, the summer period is precisely the critical time for sprint preparation. Through AMC10 summer course intensive training, students can comprehensively identify and fill gaps, focus on tackling core test points, and build a solid foundation for the actual competition in the second half of the year.
III. FAQs for 2026 AMC10 Registration
Q1: What if my school is not an AMC test center?
A: There are two ways to resolve this. First, find an educational institution with AMC test center qualification to register on your behalf. Second, contact your school teacher to confirm whether the school has test center qualification; if the school is interested, you can suggest that they apply to the organizing committee. It is advisable to take action as early as possible, as the deadline for proxy registration is usually earlier.
Q2: Can individuals in China register for AMC10 directly and independently?
A: There is no direct individual registration channel in Mainland China. There are only two legitimate channels: ① If your school is an test center, the school will organize registration uniformly; ② Choose an educational institution with organizing committee authorization to register on your behalf. Beware of unauthorized third-party channels to avoid registration failure or information leakage.
Q3: What materials are needed for registration?
A: You will need photos of both sides of the student's ID card (or passport), a 2-inch ID photo with a white background, and in some cases, a certificate of enrollment may be required. It is recommended to prepare electronic versions in advance for quick registration.
Q4: Can I modify my name or grade level after submitting the registration?
A: Once the registration form is submitted and payment is confirmed, the student's real-name information, exam session, and test center cannot be modified in the backend. Before filling out the form, be sure to verify the name on the ID, grade level, and date of birth. If the information does not match, the test center will refuse entry and scores cannot be entered into the system.
