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    Competition Prep Guide

    AMC → AIME → USAMO Pathway

    The canonical US math competition pathway. USAMO qualification is among the strongest STEM admissions signals.

    Eligibility

    • AMC 10: under 17.5 and Grade 10 or below
    • AMC 12: under 19.5 and Grade 12 or below
    • AIME: top ~2.5% AMC 12 / top ~5% AMC 10
    • USAMO/USAJMO: top ~270/240 students by combined AMC + AIME index

    Annual Timeline

    1. Aug–Oct

      Register through your school (or a participating site)

    2. November

      AMC 10/12 — two contest dates (A and B)

    3. February

      AIME (for qualifiers) — 15-question, 3-hour exam

    4. Mar–Apr

      USAMO/USAJMO — two-day proof-based olympiad

    5. June

      MOP (Mathematical Olympiad Program) selection from top USAMO finishers

    Preparation Strategy

    1

    Build the AoPS curriculum from middle school

    Art of Problem Solving (Intro → Intermediate → Olympiad series) is the canonical training path. Most USAMO qualifiers complete the full sequence.

    2

    Drill past contests by topic

    Use AoPS Wiki to filter past AMC/AIME problems by topic (number theory, combinatorics, geometry, algebra). Identify weak categories and rebuild from fundamentals.

    3

    Learn to write proofs early

    USAMO is purely proof-based — entirely different from AMC/AIME. Begin proof writing in 10th–11th grade through Olympiad-level books or Awesomemath.

    4

    Train under time pressure

    Pacing kills more AIME hopefuls than difficulty. Take full timed mock contests monthly during the fall.

    Common Pitfalls

    • Skipping fundamentals — top scorers have deep mastery, not memorized tricks.
    • Treating USAMO like AIME — proof writing requires entirely separate training.
    • Burnout from over-training in 9th grade with no Olympiad goal in mind.

    Official Resources

    Book Strategy Session

    Get a personalized prep plan for AMC → AIME → USAMO Pathway from a senior counselor.

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