How to prepare for AMC 8 and Ace it
Updated: Dec 13, 2022
I've been repeatedly asked, "How do you prepare for AMC 8? What are the resources you use? How can I help my child prepare for it?"
In fact, I wrote a brief sketch of this post as a reply to one of the mom's email. Then I saw a similar question on Quora and answered it. Finally decided that this deserves a post on its own.
So, do you have a middle schooler interested in math competitions? AMC 8 is a popular middle school math competition. Take a look to see what you need to know about it and how to prepare for it.
What is AMC and who can take it?
Where can you register and take the AMC 8?
When does the AMC 8 2021-22 exam take place?
What is a good score on AMC 8?
Benefits of taking the AMC 8 exam
Materials and Books you can use for AMC 8 Preparation
Tips for taking the AMC 8 exam
What is AMC and who can take it?
AMC stands for American Mathematics Competition. AMC 8 can be taken by any kid in Grade 8 or below. Usually, it's taken by the students in Middle School for it requires in-depth knowledge of topics covered in Middle School. AMC 8 is challenging even for Middle School kids. One would have to be an advanced 4th or 5th grader to be able to take it in Elementary school.
What is the AMC 8 time limit?
AMC 8 has 25 questions to be completed in 40 minutes.
Where can you register and take the AMC 8?
AMC 8 is usually administered in schools, but some RSM centers also do it. If you want your kid to take the exam you can contact your school or your local RSM center.
If you are homeschooling or if your school does not host the AMC 8, you can also look into the MAA website once the registration opens to see a list of your local schools that host it. You can call them to see if they will let you take the exam there.
When does the AMC 8 2022-23 exam take place?
AMC 8 will happen in mid Jan. The change has been made effective since the academic year 2021-22.
For the academic year 2022-2023, the AMC 8 exam will be held between Jan 17 and Jan 23.
When to expect the results
Official scores will usually be sent out in February.
What are the awards given?
Achievement Roll - For 5th graders and below who get a score of 15 or above.
Honor Roll - Top 5% of scores on the AMC 8
Distinguished Honor Roll: Top 1% of scores on the AMC 8
What is a good score on AMC 8?
A lot of parents and students ask me this question. A good score is subjective. An experienced problem-solver or a kid who has been doing competitions since elementary grade would want to aim for Distinguished Honor Roll. For someone who's just starting out or in 4th or 5th grade, getting more than the average score is decent and getting into Achievement Roll is good.
To get an idea of the average and the honor roll scores, here are the scores over the years. As you can see the average scores have been between 9-11, the honor roll mostly between 17-19 and the distinguished honor roll mostly between 20-22.
Year | Spring/ Fall | Average Score | Honor Roll | Distinguished Honor Roll |
2023 | Spring | | | |
2022 | Spring | 9.74 | 19 | 22 |
2020 | Fall | 10 | 18 | 21 |
2019 | Fall | 9.43 | 19 | 23 |
2018 | Fall | 8.51 | 15 | 19 |
2017 | Fall |