All About 2024 AMC 10: Your Ultimate Guide to Top FAQs
As one of the most challenging high school-level math competitions in the US, the AMC 10 will take place in November 2024, following its annual tradition. This article will thoroughly explore AMC 10 in 2024, providing insights into the exam’s structure, difficulty, past results, and preparation guidance.
What is AMC 10?
Full Name: American Mathematics Competitions 10
Organizer: Mathematical Association of America (MAA), the largest global community of math enthusiasts, scholars, and students. MAA’s mission is to advance people’s understanding of the world by demonstrating how math influences society and shapes our existence.
Purpose: AMC 10 serves as a challenging platform for young math enthusiasts to showcase their mathematical skills and knowledge.
Eligibility: Students who are in grade 10 or below and are under 17.5 years of age on the day of the contest are eligible to participate.
Exam Format: The exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions to be answered within a 75-minute time limit, averaging approximately 3 minutes per question. These questions are categorized into three levels of difficulty: easy (questions 1-10), medium (questions 11-17), and challenging (questions 18-25).
Exam Sections: AMC 10A and AMC 10B. Both sections cover the same mathematical topics, including algebra, geometry, combinatorics, and number theory. However, the specific questions and their distribution across these topics may vary between the two exams.
Topics Covered: The AMC 10 assesses mathematical concepts typically associated with grades 9 and 10. These include elementary algebra, fundamental geometry principles (such as the Pythagorean Theorem and area/volume formulas), basic number theory, and introductory probability.
To effectively prepare for these topics, download the Must-Have AMC 10 Prep Materials for Top Scores. This exclusive resource includes real past exam problems, detailed solutions, and practice sets, all categorized by module. Strengthen math skills and boost confidence for a top score. Start preparation today!
What is the difference between AMC 10A and 10B?
The AMC 10A and AMC 10B are held on different competition dates, each featuring a unique set of questions. However, both exams are designed to maintain equal difficulty and a balanced distribution of topics. As a result, students are encouraged to participate in both the AMC 10A and AMC 10B to maximize their chances of success.
What are the important dates of 2024 AMC 10?
⭐ 2024 AMC 10 Competition Dates:
- AMC 10A: November 6, 2024
- AMC 10B: November 12, 2024
In 2024, AMC 10A is scheduled for November 6, and AMC 10 B is set for November 12. Typically, scores are released approximately three weeks after each exam.
⭐ 2024 AMC 10 Registration Dates for Individuals (Think Academy Test Centers):
- AMC 10A: Sep 2024 – Oct 29, 2024, at 10 AM PDT
- AMC 10B: Sep 2024 – Nov 5, 2024, at 10 AM PST
The registration deadlines may vary by test center. To find a test center near you, please click here. If you plan to register at a Think Academy Test Center, be aware that registration will close one week before the exam begins. To register for the 2024 AMC 10 proctored at a Think Academy Test Center (Cupertino, Los Altos, Bellevue, Manhattan, Chicago, Houston-location TBD, Irvine), please visit the AMC 10 page on the Think Academy website in late September for details.
⭐ 2024 AMC 10 Registration Dates for Organizations: The table below shows the registration deadlines for schools and educational institutions serving as AMC 10 proctoring centers.
| Registration Type | AMC 10A Deadline | AMC 10B Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early Bird Registration | September 23, 2024 | September 30, 2024 |
| Regular Registration | October 22, 2024 | November 1, 2024 |
| Late Registration | October 30, 2024 | November 8, 2024 |
⭐ Preparation Period: The preparation for the AMC 10 exam typically begins about six months prior to the test date, which is usually in November, starting in May of the same year. During this period, students often adopt a structured approach, working through a series of essential problems, challenging questions, and advanced problems to maximize their readiness for the exam.
What is the scoring system of AMC 10?
The AMC 10 Exams each feature 25 questions with a time limit of 75 minutes.
The maximum score is 150 points:
- Each correct answer earns 6 points.
- Each incorrect answer earns 0 points.
- Each answer left blank earns 1.5 points.
Even though there is no penalty for guessing, it’s important to note that leaving an answer unanswered earns 1.5 points. Given this, a strategic approach for students aiming to optimize their final score is to refrain from answering questions they are unsure about. Instead, students should channel their efforts toward questions they are confident in solving and strive to minimize mistakes.
What are the AMC 10 cut-off scores?
| AMC 10 Cut-Off Scores | AIME Cut-off Score | Distinguished Honor Roll (Top 1%) | Honor Roll (Distinction Top 2.5%) | Average Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 AMC 10A | 103.5 (Top ~7%) | 136.5 | 111 | 64.74 |
| 2023 AMC 10B | 105 (Top ~6%) | 135 | 112.5 | 64.10 |
| 2022 AMC 10A | 93 | 120 | 109.5 | 58.33 |
| 2022 AMC 10B | 94.5 | 114 | 106.5 | 57.91 |
| 2021 Fall AMC 10A | 96 | 117 | 96 | 59.4 |
| 2021 Fall AMC 10B | 96 | 120 | 96 | 56.32 |
| 2021 Spring AMC 10A | 103.5 | 132 | 103.5 | 65.53 |
| 2021 Spring AMC 10B | 102 | 126 | 102 | 62.31 |
| 2020 AMC 10A | 103.5 | 124.5 | 103.5 | 64.29 |
| 2020 AMC 10B | 102 | 120 | 102 | 61.22 |
What is a good AMC 10 score?
A good score is determined by the competition’s objectives. From the table above, we can see that the cut-off scores for AIME in 2023 are lower than AMC Distinguished Honor Roll and even Honor Roll. The AIME cut-off score indicates the minimum qualification required to participate in the AIME, but it may not be regarded as a benchmark of excellence depending on your goals. This is because eligibility for the next stage of the competition, USA(J)MO, is determined by both the AMC 10/12 and AIME scores, using the following formula:
USA(J)MO Index = AMC 10/12 score + 10 * AIME score
To have a relatively high probability of qualifying for USA(J)MO, this index needs to exceed 210.
Therefore, when the goal is AIME qualification, reaching the AIME cut-off score on the AMC 10/12 can be considered a good score. However, when the goal is USA(J)MO, aiming for HR or even DHR on the AMC 10/12 becomes necessary.
In our 2023 AMC 10A Exam Analysis and 2023 AMC 10B Exam Analysis, we noted that achieving high scores is challenging due to the exams’ focus on mathematical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail. Despite this, Think Academy US students excelled in the competition, showcasing their remarkable talents, with many qualifying for AIME.
| AMC 10 Award | 10A Cutoff Score | 10B Cutoff Score | Think Academy Student Number |
| AIME Qualifier | 103.5 | 105 | 131 |
| Honor Roll | 111 | 112.5 | 62 |
| Distinguished Honor Roll | 136.5 | 135 | 17 |
| Perfect Score | 150 | 150 | 4 |
3% of AIME qualifiers worldwide are from Think Academy US…
But the excitement doesn’t end here! Some of our exceptional students from Think Academy US have been selected to represent their national teams at the 2024 IMO:
- USA(J)MO: 17
- Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP): 3
- US IMO Team: 1
- South Africa IMO Team: 1
How to Prepare for AMC 10?
Due to the notably challenging nature of the AMC 10 exams, embarking on the preparation journey well in advance is very important for students. Initiating studies early allows you to establish a systematic and thorough exam preparation process, ensuring that you have ample time to comprehensively cover all the topics encompassed by the AMC 10 exam.
In the long term, students are encouraged to broaden their knowledge beyond their standard coursework, with a specific emphasis on addressing their weaker areas in mathematics during summer vacations, particularly the summer before their dedicated exam year. This strategic approach aids students in laying a solid foundation, enabling them to excel in the intense six-month sprint leading up to the AMC 10 exam.
To prepare for AMC 10 effectively in the short term, students should create a clear timeline and adhere to a structured four-step process.
Step 1: Take Mock Exams
To effectively prepare for the AMC 10, students should begin taking mock exams about four months before the actual exam. These exams are essential for assessing knowledge, familiarizing students with the test format, and preparing for the exam’s difficulty. While many candidates may have taken the AMC 8, it’s important to remember that the AMC 10 is more challenging and covers different topics. Therefore, diligent practice with mock exams enhances familiarity and readiness, contributing to success.
Step 2: Master Key Problems
Due to the high difficulty of AMC 10 problems and the zero-point penalty for incorrect answers, students must prioritize solving the first 10 problems on the exam. Successfully answering these ensures a score of 82.5 points, which is significant given that the 2023 AIME cut-off was 103.5/105 points. Mastering these initial questions is crucial for success, so students should systematically address any weaknesses identified during mock exams.
Step 3: Address Common Mistakes
While mastering key problems is foundational, avoiding mistakes on commonly misunderstood questions is vital for AIME qualification. Starting from question 11, the problems become increasingly complex, leading to potential calculation errors. Reviewing these tricky questions before the exam is one of the most effective preparation strategies.
Step 4: Tackle the Final Questions
The last five questions of the AMC 10 are known for their difficulty and are often skipped by many candidates. However, for those aiming for the Honor Roll, Distinguished Honor Roll, or the USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad, tackling these challenging problems is essential. Successfully answering them can compensate for earlier careless mistakes and provide a better chance of earning awards and recognition.
Here’s How Think Academy Can Help
Over the past three years, Think Academy has successfully nurtured more than 1,000 AMC award-winning students. We offer a variety of AMC 10 prep courses and resources to fully prepare participants and help them aim for awards!
To access past exam problems and solutions, take online mock exams, and stay updated on upcoming AMC 10 Bootcamps taught by our expert math competition instructors, please visit the Think Academy AMC 10 page.
Related Articles:
- 2023 AMC 10A Exam Analysis: Difficulty, Structure, and Strategies
- 2023 AMC 10B Exam Analysis: Difficulty, Structure, and Strategies
- A Rising Star: Conquering the Leap from AMC 8 Achievement Roll to AMC 10 Honor Roll
- How Hard is AMC 10 in Comparison to AMC 8 and In-School Math?
- Unveiling Achievement: Think Academy 2023-2024 Math Competition Report
- Is Math Competition Worth It? 6 Great Values of AMC Competitions
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