AMC10 (American Mathematics Competition 10), organized by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), is open to students worldwide in grade 10 and below. It is one of the most globally recognized secondary school mathematics competitions. The 2026 season brings major changes. Understanding the new rules, grasping the trends, and preparing scientifically are the keys to standing out.
I. Exam Rules and Test Structure
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Format | Paper-based test, bilingual (Chinese and English) in China region |
| Number of Questions | 25 multiple-choice questions (5 choices each) |
| Time Limit | 75 minutes |
| Scoring Rules | Correct: +6 points, Blank: +1.5 points, Incorrect: 0 points |
| Total Score | 150 points |
| Calculator | Not permitted |
Core Topic Areas:
| Module | Number of Questions | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra | 9–10 | Polynomials, exponents and logarithms, arithmetic/geometric sequences, inequalities, function graphs |
| Geometry | 6–8 | Plane geometry, circles, solid geometry (volume and surface area), analytic geometry, trigonometry |
| Number Theory | 4–6 | Factors and multiples, modular arithmetic, primes, congruences, Diophantine equations |
| Combinatorics & Probability | 3–5 | Permutations and combinations, recurrence counting, probability and statistics |
Difficulty Gradient:
| Question Range | Difficulty Level | Strategy Advice |
|---|---|---|
| 1–10 | Foundation / Easy points | Mastering school-level content is sufficient; aim for 100% accuracy |
| 11–20 | Intermediate / Integrated | Requires cross-topic application; determines whether you reach the top 10%–15% |
| 21–25 | Competition / Challenge | Combinations, function extrema, and other advanced thinking; separates top 5% from top 1% |
II. AMC10 Difficulty Positioning: Comparison with Domestic Competitions
AMC10 covers approximately 70% of core Chinese junior high school content plus 30% of grade 10 compulsory material, making it well-suited for students in grades 8–10. However, in certain aspects, AMC10's requirements are even more demanding than traditional domestic competitions:
Broader scope: Domestic junior high school competitions focus mainly on algebra and geometry, with limited number theory and almost no combinatorics. AMC10 treats all four modules—algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics—equally, with a significant number and difficulty of number theory and combinatorics problems.
More flexible problem types: Domestic competition problems often drill deep into a single knowledge point. AMC10 favors "cross-module synthesis"—a single problem may simultaneously test algebra, geometry, and probability, requiring strong ability to connect knowledge and model situations.
Intense time pressure: 25 multiple-choice questions in 75 minutes means an average of just 3 minutes per question. This tests not only problem-solving ability but also reading speed, mental agility, and computational accuracy under extreme pressure.
| Dimension | AMC10 | National High School Math League (Round 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Depth of Knowledge | Moderate, emphasizes breadth and application | Very deep, emphasizes technique and proof |
| Problem Style | Application-oriented, multi-module integration | Technique-oriented, classic model variations |
| Target Audience | Grades 8–10, broad accessibility | High school competition students, highly selective |
Score Benchmarking Reference:
~100 points ≈ Provincial Third Prize in domestic junior high school math league
~110 points ≈ Provincial Second Prize
120+ points ≈ Provincial First Prize
III. Five-Year Cutoff Trends: Intensifying Competition
2020–2025 AMC10 Cutoff Summary
| Year | Test | AIME Qualifying | Top 5% (HR) | Top 1% (DHR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | A | 105 | 112.5 | 136.5 |
| 2025 | B | 99 | 105 | 133.5 |
| 2024 | A | 94.5 | 105 | 132 |
| 2024 | B | 105 | 114 | 138 |
| 2023 | A | 103.5 | 111 | 136.5 |
| 2023 | B | 105 | 112.5 | 135 |
| 2022 | A | 93 | 100.5 | 121.5 |
| 2022 | B | 94.5 | 100.5 | 114 |
| 2021 | A | 96 | 96 | 117 |
| 2021 | B | 96 | 96 | 120 |
New Awards Introduced in 2025:
| Award | Test A | Test B |
|---|---|---|
| Top 10% | 94.5 | 87 |
| Top 25% | 69 | — |
Key Trend Takeaways:
Overall upward trajectory: 2022 marked a recent low point; cutoffs have risen every year since. The 2025 Test A AIME qualifying cutoff jumped 10.5 points from 2024.
Alternating A/B difficulty: Each year, Test A and Test B differ in difficulty, with cutoffs varying by 5–10 points. If possible, register for both.
Increasing competition at the top: The top 1% cutoff has consistently remained above 130, reaching 136.5 on 2025 Test A—meaning at most 2–3 incorrect answers allowed out of 25 questions.
Growing participant pool: In 2025, global AMC10 participation reached 56,812 (31,617 for Test A + 25,195 for Test B), with the competitive base continuously expanding.
IV. Why Does AMC10 Matter?
A "Hard Currency" for US College Applications
MIT's application system includes a dedicated section for AMC/AIME scores. Statistics show that over 80% of MIT's admitted students have AMC competition experience.
Among students admitted to UK G5 universities and US Top 30 STEM/business programs, more than 45% have AMC participation.
Global Top 5% (Honor Roll) is a basic threshold for computer science, engineering, and similar majors.
Qualifying for AIME can be directly listed on the Common App, significantly enhancing your academic profile.
Top Domestic International Schools Also Use AMC10 for Screening
Shanghai Guanghua Cambridge: Its entrance math exams directly use original AMC10 problems as benchmark questions.
Shenzhen College of International Education (SCIE) & BASIS: Admission reviews reference AMC10 scores, and math written tests are closely aligned with competition difficulty.
Ulink, World Foreign Language, Pinghe: In most admission cycles, AIME qualifiers can skip the math add-on test and proceed directly to interviews.
Beijing Keystone Academy: AMC10 ≥ 110 can waive the math placement test and allow direct entry into IB AA HL advanced mathematics.
A Complete Competition Pathway
AMC10 → AIME → USAJMO → MOP → TSTs → IMO. This is the full selection pathway to the International Mathematical Olympiad.
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