The AMC 8, organized by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), is a prominent competition for middle school students and often serves as the gateway to the AMC series of exams. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the 2024 AMC 8, addressing the most commonly asked questions related to the exam’s structure, difficulty level, historical performance, and valuable preparation advice. 

What is AMC 8?

• Full Name: American Mathematics Competitions 8
• Organizer: Mathematical Association of America (MMA), a global community encompassing math enthusiasts, scholars, and students, dedicated to enhancing people’s understanding of the world by showcasing how mathematics profoundly influences society and shapes our existence.
• Purpose: The AMC 8 aims to celebrate the allure of mathematics and kindle excitement for the subject among young minds. Additionally, it serves as an avenue for students to showcase their mathematical prowess and put their critical thinking skills to the test. Many students who excel in the AMC 8 often go on to achieve success in higher-level exams such as the AMC 10, AMC 12, and even the AIME.
• Eligibility: The competition is open to students in grade 8 and below, provided they are under 14.5 years of age on the day of the competition.
• Exam Structure: The AMC 8 features 25 multiple-choice questions to be completed within a 40-minute time limit.

What are the topics covered by AMC 8?

The AMC 8 encompasses a wide array of subjects, including counting and probability, estimation, proportional reasoning, elementary geometry, incorporating the application of the Pythagorean Theorem, spatial visualization, real-world applications, and the interpretation of graphs and tables. In addition, as the exam progresses, it may delve into more advanced concepts such as linear or quadratic functions and equations, coordinate geometry and other topics typically introduced in the early stages of an algebra course.

How challenging is AMC 8?

The difficulty level of the AMC 8 can vary from year to year but is usually considered appropriately challenging for middle school students. Although students in higher grades(G7-G8) may have a slight advantage, the AMC 8 is still a formidable competition for most participants. Among the AMC series of exams – AMC 8/10/12, the AMC 8 is generally perceived as the least demanding.

To compare the level of difficulty between the AMC 8 and AMC 10, please refer to this article.

What are the important dates of 2024 AMC 8?

Exam Dates: The AMC 8 is scheduled to take place from January 18 to 24, 2024. Typically, scores are released approximately three to four weeks after the competition date.

Registration Deadlines: For the 2024 AMC 8, early registration opened on August 18, while the late registration deadline is set just seven days before the respective competition period. It’s crucial to bear in mind that the registration fee increases the longer you delay, underscoring the importance of securing your spot promptly if you intend to participate.

To register for the 2024 AMC 8 at a Think Academy Test Center (Cupertino, Fremont, Bellevue, or Manhattan), please visit the AMC 8 page on the Think Academy website.

Preparation Period: AMC 8 exam preparation traditionally begins about six months before the test date, starting in July of the year prior to the dedicated exam year. During this preparatory period, students usually adopt a structured approach, honing their skills in various knowledge modules relevant to the AMC 8.

What is the AMC 8 scoring system? 

The AMC 8 consists of 25 questions to be completed in a 40-minute time limit, with a maximum achievable score of 25 points. The scoring rules are as follows:

• Correct answers earn 1 point.
• Incorrect answers receive 0 points.
• Leaving a question blank also earns 0 points.

Notably, there’s no guessing penalty on the AMC 8. Hence, students should consider a different approach than on the AMC 10. For the AMC 8, attempting uncertain questions can be advantageous, as guessing may lead to correct answers and improve scores. 

What are the AMC 8 cut-off scores?

Between 2019 and 2023, Distinguished Honor Roll (DHR) scores ranged from 21 to 23, while Honor Roll (HR) scores fluctuated between 17 and 21. The average score consistently hovered around 10 ± 0.5 points, with the highest recorded in 2023 at 10.26. Notably, the DHR and HR scores for 2023 were notably lower than in previous years, particularly in the case of HR.

One contributing factor to this shift is the increasing overall difficulty of the AMC 8 exam. Our analysis categorizes problems into three levels: easy (typically Q1 – Q15), medium (typically Q16 – Q20), and hard (typically Q21 – Q25). In 2023, we observed a decrease in the number of medium-level problems and an increase in the number of hard problems, rendering the exam more challenging for students striving for Achievement Roll and Honor Roll. 

For further insights into the AMC 8 trend analysis, please refer to this article.

What is a good AMC 8 score? 

The definition of a “good” AMC 8 score can be relative and depends on your goals and the specific difficulty level of the exam for that year. Drawing from historical cut-off scores spanning from 2019 to 2023, the following general benchmarks can offer some guidance:

• If a student aims for the Distinguished Honor Roll (DHR), a score surpassing 21 (inclusive) would signify a notable achievement.
• For those targeting the Honor Roll (HR), a score around 18 typically denotes a strong performance. This assessment is based on reported cutoff scores spanning from 2019 to 2023, revealing the average scores and HR cutoffs as follows:
  • 2019 AMC 8: average score 9.43; HR cutoff score 19.
  • 2020 AMC 8: average score 10; HR cutoff score 18.
  • 2022 AMC 8: average score 9.69; HR cutoff score 19.
  • 2023 AMC 8: average score 10.26; HR cutoff score 17.

However, it’s essential to recognize that the perception of a “good” score can vary, and it’s vital to establish objectives that align with your individual abilities and aspirations.

How to prepare for AMC 8?

Achieving success in the challenging AMC 8 exam requires a strategic approach focused on mastering all the covered topics. Effective preparation for the AMC 8 involves creating a clear timeline and following a structured five-step process:

• Step 1: Setting Your Goal (Long-term Knowledge Acceleration)
• Step 2: Give Mock Exams a Try – July
• Step 3: Follow a Systematic Study Plan – July to August
• Step 4: Practice is the Key – September to October
• Step 5: Conquering Tough Questions – November to January

For more detailed information about each step of this exam preparation process, see this article.

2024 AMC 8 Prep at Think Academy

Think Academy offers AMC 8 Prep courses and resources. To access past official exam problems and solutions, take mock exams online, and stay updated on upcoming AMC 8 prep courses delivered by Think Academy's top math competition teachers, please visit the Think Academy AMC 8 page. 

 

On-Demand Webinars:

• Basic Information on the AMC 8 Math Competition
• AMC 8 Key Knowledge Points
• Information Webinar: Deep Dive on the AMC 8 Math Competition

Related Articles:

• AMC 8 Trend Analysis and How to Prepare for 2024
• A Rising Star: Conquering the Leap from AMC 8 Achievement Roll to AMC 10 Honor Roll
• Think Academy Math Competition Performance 2022-2023 Roundup
• Is Math Competition Worth It? 6 Great Values of AMC Competitions
• How Hard is AMC 10 in Comparison to AMC 8 and In-School Math?
• All About 2023 AMC 10: Your Ultimate Guide to Top FAQ

To learn more about the AMC 8 exam, please contact Think Academy at info@thethinkacademy.com or +1 (844) 844-6587. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.