Have you ever wondered how to do your AMC 12 preparation and represent the US at the international Math Olympiad? Maybe you are a strong mathematics student who is looking for opportunities outside the classroom. Read on as we answer your math Olympiad questions and explain what it takes to qualify.
How does one qualify for the math Olympiad?
Step 1
The first step is to take your AMC 12 or AMC 10. These are nationwide tests that qualify you for the AIME. Only students with top scores are invited to take AIME. It is recommended for the 9th and 10 graders to take the AMC 19 while the 11th and 12th graders should take the AMC 12. AMC 10 and AMC 12 can be taken multiple times.
The AMC 12 and AMC 10 have 25 questions each. Students have 75 minutes for the exam and each correct answer is equivalent to 6 points and each unanswered question is equivalent to 1.5 points. You will not get any deduction for wrong answers.
It is important to keep in mind that you do not need to get all questions right for you to get qualifying scores. You have to do better than most of the rest of the students taking the exam. You should keep this in mind as you create a strategy for the test.
Take the AIME
After qualifying in your AMC course, you will have to take the AIME. AIME is usually a 15-question and three-hour examination and each answer is between 0 and 999. Regardless of whether you took the AMC 12 or AMC 10, everyone takes the same AIME which is offered once a year in the spring.
You can only take the AIME once for each qualification. This means that whilst you can take the AMC 12 and AMC 10 multiple times to qualify, after qualifying, you have only got one short at AIME. You just have to work hard and pass your AIME.
After taking your AIME, your score will be multiplied by 10 and added to your AMC score. This will help determine if you qualify for the Math Olympiad.
Qualifying for Math Olympiad
Students who do well on their AIME can qualify for the Math Olympiad. Top scorers from the competition have the chance to train to be on the United States team that competes at the Math Olympiad. If you took your AMC 10, you will compete in the USAJMO. If you took the AMC 12 then you will compete in the USAMO. It is a long process for students to get to the IMO. Few students make it to the IMO. However, even just taking the AIME can differentiate you in the college admissions process. This is great for students who are interested in engineering.
Learning problem-solving skills
From your AMC 12 preparation to the Math Olympiad, proper preparation is critical. If you want to do well on the AMC exam, you should know math and be able to do rote problems. You should also know the concepts and be able to apply them in solving tricky problems.