The AMC 10 is one of the most prestigious math competitions available to Canadian students in Grade 10 and below. Organised by the Mathematical Association of America, it challenges students with 30 advanced problem-solving questions covering algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics. Top scorers qualify for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME), placing them among the strongest young mathematicians in North America. This guide covers everything Canadian parents need to know: what the AMC 10 tests, how it is scored, what AIME qualification means, how to register in Canada, and how to prepare your child effectively.
What is the AMC 10?
The AMC 10 is part of the American Mathematics Competitions series run by the Mathematical Association of America. It is a 30-question, 75-minute multiple-choice exam for students in Grade 10 or below. It serves as a qualifier for the AIME and is widely recognised by competitive high schools, enriched programmes, and universities as a signal of strong mathematical ability.
Like the AMC 8, the AMC 10 does not test curriculum knowledge directly. It tests how students think. Questions require logical reasoning, creative problem-solving, and the ability to apply mathematical concepts in ways that go well beyond standard school exercises. Strong school math performance is necessary but not sufficient preparation.
Who can take the AMC 10?
Any student in Grade 10 or below who is under 17.5 years old on the day of the competition. Canadian students are fully eligible through registered test centres. Students who have already taken the AMC 8 and are scoring consistently in the top 25% are typically ready to begin preparation.
AMC 10A and AMC 10B
The AMC 10 is offered in two versions each year: AMC 10A and AMC 10B, administered roughly one week apart. The two versions contain different questions but are designed to be equivalent in difficulty. Students may sit one or both. Sitting both gives students a second opportunity to achieve a strong qualifying score for AIME.
Format and topics
Exam structure
| Structure | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 30 |
| Time allowed | 75 minutes |
| Format | Multiple choice (5 options) |
| Scoring | 6 points correct, 1.5 points blank, 0 points incorrect |
| Where | In-person at registered test centres |
| When | November each year (two sittings: 10A and 10B) |
Note on scoring: because blank answers receive 1.5 points and incorrect answers receive 0, random guessing is not advised. Students should only answer questions they have a reasonable basis for attempting.
Topics covered
The AMC 10 covers high school mathematics up to Grade 10, excluding calculus. Key topic areas include:
- Algebra: equations, inequalities, functions, sequences and series
- Geometry: triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, coordinate geometry, spatial reasoning
- Number theory: prime numbers, divisibility, modular arithmetic, properties of integers
- Combinatorics: permutations, combinations, probability, counting principles
- Logic and reasoning: multi-step problems requiring structured deduction
Questions regularly combine two or more of these areas. An algebra question may require geometric insight. A combinatorics problem may require number theory. This integration is what separates competition preparation from standard curriculum study.
How hard is the AMC 10?
It is significantly harder than the AMC 8 and considerably harder than school curriculum.
Questions:
- 1 to 10 are accessible for well-prepared students
- 11 to 20 require strong conceptual understanding and speed
- 21 to 30 are designed to challenge even the most prepared students — they require deep mathematical intuition and creative problem-solving under time pressure
The average score on the AMC 10 is typically around 60 to 70 out of 150. Qualifying for the AIME requires a score of approximately 100 or above, placing a student in the top 2.5% of all participants.
Scoring and award levels
How is the AMC 10 scored?
The AMC 10 uses a points-based scoring system designed to reward accuracy over guessing.
| Answer type | Points awarded |
|---|---|
| Correct | 6 points |
| Blank | 1.5 points |
| Incorrect | 0 points |
Maximum possible score is 150 points (30 questions x 6 points). Students should leave a question blank rather than guess randomly — a blank answer is always worth more than a wrong one.
Award levels and AIME qualification
| Recognition | Threshold | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| AIME qualification | Approximately top 2.5% | Invited to sit the American Invitational Mathematics Examination |
| Honor Roll | Approximately top 5% | Strong national recognition |
| Achievement Roll | Score of 90 or above | Recognition for solid performance |
AIME qualification cutoffs vary each year. In the AMC 10 2024, the cutoff was approximately 103.5 for 10A and 105 for 10B. Always check the official MAA website for the most current figures.
What is a good score on the AMC 10?
- First-time participant: a score of 60 to 80 is a good result
- Student aiming toward AIME qualification: consistent scores of 100 or above indicate readiness
- Students targeting Honor Roll: preparation should focus on mastering all topic areas with speed and accuracy under timed conditions
Dates and registration for Canadian students
When is the AMC 10?
The AMC 10 is held in November each year in two sittings approximately one week apart. Check the MAA official website for the current year dates and registration window. Registration typically opens several months before the exam.
How do Canadian students register?
Canadian students cannot register individually. Registration must go through a school or organisation that is an official AMC test centre. The process is:
- Find a registered AMC test centre near you using the MAA school locator
- Purchase an exam seat through that test centre
- Create an account on the MAA website and complete the registration form
If your child’s school does not offer the AMC 10, independent test centres, including Think Academy Canada, can register students.
Where can Canadian students write the AMC 10?
Think Academy Canada is a registered AMC test centre and has hosted AMC 8 and 10 exams since 2021.
How to prepare
What math level does your child need before starting?
Students should have a solid foundation in algebra and geometry before beginning preparation. This means confidence with linear and quadratic equations, coordinate geometry, and introductory number theory. Students who have completed strong AMC 8 preparation are typically well-positioned to begin this level of work.
Students without this foundation will find preparation significantly harder. Building the algebraic and geometric foundations first is always the more efficient path.
How to use past papers effectively
AMC 10 past contests can provide some insight into preparing for the competition. Past papers are among the most valuable preparation tools available. The goal is not simply to complete papers under timed conditions — it is to understand every question thoroughly, including the ones answered correctly. For each question, a student should be able to explain:
- What type of problem it is
- Which mathematical concepts it uses
- Whether there is a faster or more elegant approach than the one they used
A structured approach is to complete one past paper per month under timed conditions, then spend two or three sessions reviewing it in detail, focusing on questions 16 to 30.
How Think Academy prepares students
Think Academy offers structured AMC 10 preparation courses for Canadian students. Since 2021, Think Academy has served as an official AMC testing site. Think Academy students have earned more than 700 AMC 10 medals, and in the 2024 to 2025 academic year, nearly one in three students qualified for AIME — four times the national average.
The Think Academy AMC 10 curriculum uses a spiral advancement model, revisiting key concepts at increasing depth. Classes are live and interactive, homework is marked by teachers, and replays are available for review.
What comes after the AMC 10? The competition ladder
It sits in the middle of a structured competition pathway that can take exceptional students all the way to the International Mathematical Olympiad.
| Competition | Who | What it leads to |
|---|---|---|
| AMC 8 | Grade 8 and below | Foundation for AMC 10 preparation |
| AMC 10 | Grade 10 and below | AIME qualification (top 2.5%) |
| AMC 12 | Grade 12 and below | AIME qualification (top 5%) |
| AIME | Top AMC scorers | USAMO qualification |
| USAMO | Invitation only | USA IMO team selection |
| IMO | Invitation only | World championship |
What is the AIME?
The American Invitational Mathematics Examination is a 15-question, 3-hour exam open only to students who qualify through the AMC 10 or AMC 12. Unlike the AMC 10, the AIME requires students to compute integer answers rather than select from multiple choice options. Questions are significantly harder and require deep mathematical knowledge and creative problem-solving. A strong AIME score is one of the most significant math competition credentials a high school student can hold.
The Canadian competition pathway
For Canadian students, strong AMC 10 performance also builds the foundation for the Canadian competition system. The Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge (COMC), run by the Canadian Mathematical Society, leads to the Canadian Mathematical Olympiad (CMO) and ultimately Canada’s IMO team. Students who prepare seriously develop the problem-solving skills that translate directly into strong Waterloo contest performance, including the Euclid contest which carries weight in Waterloo and UofT engineering admissions.
AMC 8 vs AMC 10: Which should your child take?
A common question from Canadian parents is whether their child should be sitting the AMC 8, the AMC 10, or both.
| AMC 8 | AMC 10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Grade eligibility | Grade 8 and below | Grade 10 and below |
| Age limit | Under 14.5 | Under 17.5 |
| Questions | 25 | 30 |
| Time | 40 minutes | 75 minutes |
| Difficulty | Middle school competition level | High school competition level |
| Leads to | AMC 10 readiness | AIME qualification |
| Best for | Students new to competition math | Students with strong AMC 8 foundation |
The general guidance is: if your child is in Grade 6 to 8 and new to competition math, start with the AMC 8. If your child has completed AMC 8 preparation and is consistently scoring in the top 25%, begin transitioning to the next level. Some students sit both in the same year while building their AMC 10 foundation.
FAQs
What is the AMC 10 math competition?
A 30-question, 75-minute multiple-choice math competition for students in Grade 10 and below, organised by the Mathematical Association of America. It tests problem-solving and logical reasoning across algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics at a level well above standard school curriculum. Top scorers qualify for the AIME.
Can Canadian students take the AMC 10?
Yes. Canadian students are fully eligible to take the AMC 10. Registration must go through a registered test centre — either a school that participates or an independent centre such as Think Academy Canada, which has been an official AMC test centre since 2021.
What score do you need to qualify for AIME from the AMC 10?
AIME qualification goes to approximately the top 2.5% scorers. The exact cutoff score varies each year depending on exam difficulty. Historically, this has been around 100 to 115 out of 150. The official cutoff is published by the MAA after each sitting.
How is the AMC 10 different from the AMC 8?
The American Math Competition 10 (AMC 10) is harder, longer, and has a different scoring system. The AMC 8 is 25 questions in 40 minutes with no penalty for wrong answers. The AMC 10 is 30 questions in 75 minutes and awards 1.5 points for blank answers and 0 for wrong answers. It covers more advanced topics including high school algebra, geometry, and combinatorics.
What topics are on the competition?
Algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics, and probability. The AMC 10 covers high school mathematics up to Grade 10, excluding calculus. Questions regularly combine multiple topic areas.
How do I register my child in Canada?
Registration goes through a registered AMC test centre. If your child’s school does not offer the AMC 10, independent centres such as Think Academy Canada can register students. Create an account on the MAA website to complete registration once a seat is secured.
What is the difference between AMC 10A and AMC 10B?
AMC 10A and AMC 10B are two versions of the AMC 10 offered approximately one week apart each November. They contain different questions but are equivalent in difficulty. Students may sit one or both. Sitting both gives students a second opportunity to achieve a strong qualifying score.
What is the difference between AMC 10A and AMC 10B?
Top scorers — approximately the top 2.5% — qualify for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). Strong AIME performance can lead to USAMO qualification and ultimately IMO team selection. For Canadian students, this preparation also builds the foundation for the COMC and Canadian Mathematical Olympiad pathway, and develops the skills needed for the Euclid contest at Waterloo.
