Category: Blog

I. Analysis of the 2025 AMC10 Cutoff Scores

Trends in Cutoff Scores over the Last 5 Years

Key Findings:
Significant increase in advancement cutoff: From 93-96 points in 2021 to 105-108 points in 2025.
Intensified competition in high-scoring zones: The cutoffs for the top 5% and top 1% have also risen correspondingly, reaching historic highs in 2025.

Analysis of Underlying Reasons:

Surge in number of participants: The number of test-takers, especially in China, continues to grow globally, leading to more intense competition.

Changes in question style: Shift from "calculation-oriented" to "thinking-oriented and flexible," requiring students to have stronger logical reasoning abilities.

Increased weight of AIME: The value of advancing to the AIME has increased, attracting more outstanding students to participate.

II. AMC10 A vs B: How to Choose?

01 Differences in Focus and Difficulty

AMC10 A
Basic scores are key: Questions are mostly "direct applications of core knowledge points," without obscure or strange questions.
Characteristics: The first 15 questions are basic questions (accounting for 60% of the total score), suitable for candidates who want to "secure basic points and aim for medium scores." Questions 16-20 are medium difficulty. Questions 21-25 are only a few advanced questions.

AMC10 B
Advanced questions determine the gap: The questions focus more on "higher-order thinking and comprehensive problem-solving strategies," with a higher proportion of difficult questions (19-25) requiring unconventional methods to solve.
Characteristics: The proportion of basic questions is reduced, and medium and difficult questions are closely linked. Suitable for candidates with "a solid foundation who want to reach the top 5% / top 1%."

02 Differences in Cutoff Scores

The difficulty levels of the A and B versions are similar, but some questions on the B version are more challenging. Historical data shows that the advancement cutoff for the B version is generally higher than that of the A version, but the overall fluctuation is minimal.

03 How to Choose?

Exam Schedule: The A version is usually one week earlier than the B version (expected to be November 6 and November 14, 2026).
Difficulty and Focus: The A version focuses more on the application of mathematics in real-world scenarios and computational problem-solving. The B version emphasizes a balanced examination of various fields, with some questions being more flexible and requiring higher mathematical literacy.

Strategic Recommendations: If conditions permit, it is recommended to take both exams and use the highest score. If you can only take one, you can first refer to the A version's past papers to familiarize yourself with the question types before making a decision.

III. 2026 AMC10 Preparation Strategies

1. Foundation Phase (6 months in advance)

Core Goal: Focus on Algebra (main scoring area) + Number Theory (advantageous for gaining points), thoroughly understand medium-level geometry problems, and grasp basic combinatorics question types.

Specific Steps: Work through questions 1-22 of past 10 years' exams by module, summarizing quick problem-solving techniques for each module (e.g., substitution method in algebra, auxiliary lines in geometry, congruence simplification in number theory). Aim for ≤5% errors per module, ensuring immediate familiarity with the approach for medium-level questions (11-20).

2. Advanced Phase (3 months in advance)

Core Goal: Full-length timed mock exams (75 minutes), practicing time allocation and answer strategies.

Ideal Pace:
Questions 1-10 ≤18 minutes (all correct)
Questions 11-20 ≤32 minutes (≤1 wrong)
Questions 21-25 ≤20 minutes (aim for 2-3 correct)
Last 5 minutes for review.

Study Plan: Complete 3 sets of past A/B exams from the last 5 years each week, review mistakes on the same day, and fill frequent gaps.

3. Sprint Phase (1 month before the exam)

Core Goal: Let go of obscure and strange questions, return to high-frequency topics and core formulas.

Specific Steps: Review the mistake notebook + high-frequency questions from the last 3 years, memorize quick calculation formulas for geometry/number theory, practice classic question types 21-25. Establish consistent answering habits, circle keywords in questions to avoid reading comprehension or calculation errors.

AMC10 Preparation Courses

Our instructors are graduates from top global universities. With precise curriculum planning and comprehensive learning tracking, we ensure your score improvement and award-winning success!

Class Type	Hours	Class Size	Start Date
Winter Break Class	30H	3–8 students	Consult teacher for details
Systematic Course	20H	1v1 / 3–8 students	Consult teacher for details
Problem-Solving Class	20H	1v1 / 3–8 students	Consult teacher for details

I. AMC10 Comprehensive Knowledge Breakdown

1. Required Knowledge Points (Focus on Mastering)

Algebra
Algebraic calculation techniques: factorization, substitution, expansion, etc.; Linear functions and equations: systems of linear equations, slope-intercept form; Absolute value and floor functions: absolute value inequalities, floor operations; Sequences: arithmetic sequences, geometric sequences and their applications; Quadratic functions and equations: quadratic formula, Vieta's theorem, discriminant.

Geometry
Geometric transformations: translation, rotation, reflection; Circle properties: tangents, secants, arc length, inscribed angles; Similar triangles: proportional relationships, similarity criteria; Lines and circles: intersection, tangency, distance formula.

Number Theory
Congruence: modular arithmetic, congruence equations; Divisibility: prime factorization, greatest common divisor, least common multiple; Prime factorization: primality testing, fundamental theorem of arithmetic; Base conversion: conversion between binary, decimal, and hexadecimal.

Combinatorics
Permutations and combinations: fundamental counting principle, permutation and combination formulas; Basic probability: classical probability, conditional probability; Inclusion–exclusion principle: union, intersection, and complement in set operations; Recurrence relations: Fibonacci sequence, dynamic programming concepts.

2. Distribution of Common Pitfalls (By Module)

Algebra
Reading comprehension in word problems: pay attention to unit conversion and implicit conditions; Solving absolute value equations: consider multiple solutions; Exponential and logarithmic calculations: special handling when the base is a fraction or negative number.

Geometry
Finding equal angles in congruent/similar triangles: construct auxiliary lines, use parallelogram properties; Cutting and augmenting figures: partitioning and recomposing complex shapes; Spatial imagination: develop spatial sense, projection in solid geometry.

Counting
Distinguishing permutations from combinations: avoid double counting, understand the meaning of combinations; Application of recurrence relations: Fibonacci sequence, dynamic programming thinking.

Number Theory
Prime factorization: quickly determine whether a number is prime; Units digit problems: patterns in last digits, periodicity analysis.

Probability
Discrete probability: independence of events, mutually exclusive events; Geometric probability: area ratios, length ratios, volume ratios.

II. AMC10 Question Distribution and Difficulty Levels

1. Basic Questions (Questions 1–8)

Low difficulty, covering basic knowledge of algebra, geometry, and number theory; Aim to get all correct, ensuring accuracy and speed, saving time for harder questions later.

2. Relatively Easy Questions (Questions 9–13)

Slightly higher difficulty, mainly reflected in the traps set in the problem statements; Requires careful reading; This part can be mastered by most students.

3. Medium Difficulty Questions (Questions 14–17)

This is the watershed and the key to entering the top 1%; For G8 and below, getting 15 questions correct is excellent; for G9+ students, focus on overcoming this part and aim for all correct.

4. Relatively Hard Questions (Questions 18–23)

Quite challenging; besides basic techniques, advanced concepts such as linear functions, quadratic equations, and probability & statistics are introduced; Key area for those aiming for the top 5% and AIME qualification.

5. Difficult Questions (Questions 24–25)

The truly difficult area, requiring deep knowledge and high mental agility; Only a very small number of students can complete these; students aiming for a perfect score should focus on breaking through here.

III. AMC10 Preparation Timeline and Strategies

1. Foundation Consolidation Phase (recommended 6–8 months in advance)

Goal: Systematically review all AMC10 topic areas, expand on school mathematics knowledge;
Methods: For beginners and lower-grade students: spend at least six months building a solid foundation; Review school knowledge: ensure no major gaps in algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics; Supplement competition-specific content: such as congruence equations in number theory, recurrence relations in combinatorics, etc.

2. Practice Phase (3–4 months before the exam)

Goal: Improve problem-solving speed and accuracy through past paper training;
Methods: Study past exams: familiarize yourself with the application of each knowledge point in the questions; Connect knowledge areas: train flexible problem-solving approaches; Accumulate mistakes: overcome your own challenging problems.

3. Simulation Sprint Phase (1–2 months before the exam)

Goal: Adapt to exam rhythm and adjust mental state;
Methods: Timed simulation tests: strictly control time to simulate real exam environment; Adjust strategy: reasonably allocate time based on personal strengths and weaknesses; Psychological preparation: reduce anxiety and build confidence.