r/MathOlympiad Nov 03 '25

AMC 12 2025 AMC: Subreddit Going View Only

16 Upvotes

AMC season is here and to prevent academic dishonesty, I am making the subreddit view only for a few days.

For those concerned about the duration:

  1. November 3, 2025 - November 7, 2025
  2. November 10, 2025 - November 14, 2025

Good luck, hope everybody does well!


r/MathOlympiad Sep 01 '25

Resources AMC 10/12 + AIME Resources

42 Upvotes

Lots a questions come in every week about preparing for the AMC 10/12 and the AIME. So I have decided to compile a list of resources for use here. However, this is not the page to learn what the AMC 10/12 or AIME is, so please understand the contest format beforehand. Also, this is more focused up till mid-AIME. Might edit it later for more olympiad content + USAMO qualifying path.

Part 1: Free Resources

These are some free resources for preparing for the AMC 10/12 and AIME.

1. The Official AMC Homepage (MAA.org)

  • Why: This is the source. Everything here is official and essential.
  • What to use:
    • Past Papers: Download official past exams (AMC 8, AMC 10/12, AIME) with answer keys. Your #1 most important resource.
    • Potential Uses: Understand the rules, contest dates, and scoring.
    • Link: https://maa.org/student-programs/amc

2. The AOPS Wiki (Art of Problem Solving)

  • Link: https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page (use left sidebar to navigate)
  • Why: An insane treasure trove of community-driven knowledge. It's the first stop for discussing and understanding any contest problem. Also, cool people are here.
  • What to use:
  • Warnings: Some of the blog materials may be too advanced (since this caters to all levels), so peruse with care.

3. YouTube Channels (Visual Learning)

  • Why: Fantastic for visual learners who want to see problems solved step-by-step.
  • Channels to check out:
    • Art of Problem Solving: Official channel with problem solves and concept reviews.
    • Richard Rusczyk: The founder of AOPS solves problems and gives advice.
    • Michael Penn: Excellent for more advanced problems, including AIME/IMO level.
    • 3Blue1Brown: Not contest-specific, but incredible for building deep mathematical intuition.
    • TheBeautyOfMath: Focused walkthroughs of AMC/AIME problems.

4. Community & Forums

  • Why: Get help, find study partners, and see how others think.
  • Where to go:
    • Art of Problem Solving (AOPS) Forums: The largest and most active online community for math competition students. Essential.
    • r/MathOlympiad: A smaller but helpful subreddit. But this also means only cool people are here.
    • Crux Mathematicorum: A monthly journal by the Canadian Mathematical Society, which features a "MathemAttic" section that is appropriate for

5. Practice Platforms & Testing

  • Why: Simulate the real test environment and get targeted practice.
  • Options:
    • AOPS Alcumus: (Free) AOPS's free online trainer. It has level progression, content tracking. However, it is better as a warmup, as the questions are easier and more targeted to one concept, when compared to AMC 10/12.
    • AMC Trivial: Cool thing made by people at AOPS, which allows for targeted practice with AMC/AIME questions and creation of AMC-style tests.
    • CEMC (Canadian) Past Contests: (Free) Excellent source of additional high-quality problems. Difficulty are generally between Alcumus and Mid AMC 10 level.

6. Free Books

  • Why: Despite the emphasis on problem solving, theory is always needed.
  • Disclaimer: I don't condone or support pirating, so all the "free" resources that are listed are legally free in my knowledge.
  • AMC 10/12:
    • Idk rn. Will edit later if I find/remember some. Frankly, AOPS Volume 1 + 2 suffice, though they are paid. Sometimes practice tests suffice as well.
  • AIME Options:
    • A Taste of Mathematics (ATOM): Book series provided by the Canadian Mathematical Society. Each book is independent and targeted towards a specific problem type.
    • Modern Olympiad Number Theory: A book written by Aditya Khurmi, which includes a comprehensive treatment of Number Theory in Math Olympiads. First few chapters are sufficient for AIME and contain quality question (though more proof-oriented).
    • Evan Chen's Blogs/Resources Page: Just great overall, though most of the content is more USAMO/USAJMO relevant. Includes plenty of handouts on different topics (functional equations, inequalities, etc). Interesting blogs that help explain the Math Olympiad mindset.

Part 2: Paid Resources (Structured Learning & Deep Dives)

When you're ready to get serious, these structured resources can provide a significant boost.

1. Paid Books & Problem Collections

  • The Art of Problem Solving Volumes 1 & 2: The classic textbooks. Volume 1 covers the basics, while Volume 2 dives into more advanced topics needed for the AIME and beyond. This is the gold standard and completely sufficient for AIME qualification if mastered.
  • Contest Problem Books: The MAA and AOPS publish books full of past AMC problems with solutions and essays (e.g., The Contest Problem Book IX).
  • For the AIME: 
    • Principle and Techniques in Combinatorics: A comprehensive combinatorics book by Singaporean IMO coaches, suited for Olympiad prep and undergraduate introduction to combinatorics. First few chapters are extremely relevant to AIME. May require Set Theory and Calculus proficiency at times.
    • Euclidean Geometry in Mathematical Olympiads: Comprehensive geometry book by Evan Chen, an IMO gold medalist. Focuses on proof oriented methods and developing good intuition. However, it has a big learning curve and should not be attempted before AIME qualification at all.

2. Online Courses & Classes

  • Why: Structured curricula, expert instruction, and paced learning.
  • Options:
    • Art of Problem Solving (AOPS) Online School: Offers multi-week courses that cover the entire AMC/AIME syllabus. Generally considered high-quality and very thorough.
    • AlphaStar Academy: Known for its strong math contest programs and classes taught by past winners.
    • Achievable: An updated self-paced AMC 10/12 preparation course, that provides guided lectures + targeted practice. Specifically designed for AIME qualification and AMC 10/12 excellence.
    • Areteem Institute (Zoom International Math League): Provides various courses and camps focused on contest math.
    • Live/Private Tutoring: Many individuals and companies offer 1-on-1 tutoring. This is the most personalized (and most expensive) option.

How to Build Your Study Plan

  1. Diagnose: Take a past AMC test under timed conditions. Where did you struggle?
  2. Learn: Use the books and courses above to fill knowledge gaps (e.g., number theory, geometry). Maybe use the solutions to learn.
  3. Resolve: Key step, where you revisit the question you got wrong and attempt to resolve it without seeing the solutions.
  4. Practice: Do lots of problems. Use the free archives and Alcumus.
  5. Review: This is the most important step! Don't just check the answer. For every problem you get wrong (or even guess right on), study the solution on the AOPS Wiki until you understand it deeply. Try similar style questions before moving on.
  6. Repeat: Cycle through steps 2-4 consistently.

Don't get hung up on the theory and make sure to grind questions! Good luck! You've got this.

Disclaimer: This list is based on community consensus and my own research. I am not directly affiliated with any of these organizations. Prices and course availability may change. Please do your own research to find the best fit for you! Also, this list will be updated and changed at times, whenever new resources become relevant.


r/MathOlympiad 10h ago

AMC 12 AoPS Books for AIME Qualification through AMC 12

7 Upvotes

I would like to qualify for aime this year (as a senior) through the amc 12. In the past amc 12 exam, I got 72 on the A and 81 on the B.

I have both the aops volume 1 and volume 2 books, and I am currently reading through 1. However, maybe I am overestimating myself too much, but it seems kind of easy. Should I just keep reading it (I've seen that the book is enough to qualify for aime, along with additional practice problems), or should I move onto 2?


r/MathOlympiad 3h ago

Discussion What Level of Olympiad Math Do You Need to Ace Application Problems for SUMaC, Ross, etc.?

2 Upvotes

AIME? USAMO? idk


r/MathOlympiad 18h ago

Discussion Difficulty of middle school vs high school olympiad

7 Upvotes

When I say difficulty of middle school and high school I refer to very high levels(like top 10 in a competitive country or something close). I know that the concepts in high school are more advanced but I always assumed that the learning curve from year to year is similar between any years. If anyone has an opinion that I am missing or has gone through both middle school and high school math olympiads please respond with your perspective.


r/MathOlympiad 1d ago

AMC 10 Genuine deadass question how can I spend so much hours on Siege but not even start AMC studying even though I enjoy both?

3 Upvotes

title


r/MathOlympiad 2d ago

Discussion What do y'all think about USAMO Guide's recent initiative? Is this actually feasible?

10 Upvotes

Coming from their disc rn, seems now they have 15 IMO students working under them and that they are going to spread awareness about math olympiads in countries where they aren't popular already and even train the students themselves (or through their partner orgs)??

I saw countries like Moldova, Kosovo, Syria, Nepal, even lol

Edit 2: I attached a picture of their message on discord but reddit hates discord it seems, so here's a transcribed version

"Hey everyone, through the Great support and Collaboration of the International Ambassadors (Currently about 15 IMO Students and Junior Team Coaches), we will be establishing clubs across these 17 nations for a start!!

  • 🇺🇸 USA
  • 🇮🇳 India
  • 🇸🇬 Singapore
  • 🇦🇪 UAE
  • 🇨🇦 Canada
  • 🇽🇰 Kosovo
  • 🇱🇺 Luxembourg
  • 🇸🇾 Syria
  • 🇩🇿 Algeria
  • 🇧🇩 Bangladesh
  • 🇲🇩 Moldova
  • 🇳🇵 Nepal
  • 🇳🇿 New Zealand
  • 🇦🇺 Australia
  • 🇹🇳 Tunisia
  • 🇵🇰 Pakistan

If you are a student in any one of these countries, stay tuned in the upcoming days for staff applications for the clubs and chapter lead applications (Student Ambassador Program as well!)

If your country is not mentioned above and you want us to come to your nation as well, please post which country you are from in the thread attached to this!

Note: If you are an IMO/Math Camp student in your nation, you are eligible to become an International Ambassador. DM me if you are interested! (International Ambassador applications are handled case-by-case)
""

I personally think he has gone full ahh anime-mode on this LMAO,

Saying stuff like "Thanks lol, we will go until no person is left in the world that gets blocked into math just cuz of affordability, NOBODY deserves to fail from achieving their potential JUST cuz they live in a place where that opportunity isn't given to them!!" in the chat lol

This all seems nice, but is it actually feasible? It would be really interesting to see how it all works out for them and the math community as a whole. I personally feel it's pretty cool that he is actually trying for this, but it might be kinda too ambitious? wtvr lol

Just wanted to put a post here to see what y'all think about all this

If anyone from USAMO Guide sees this post, consider it my attempt to help y'all with some reach 😄

EDIT 1: If anyone needs context on what USAMO Guide is, they are a group of high schoolers trying to make math completely free and open for all. They publish all kinds of free resources on their website and disc server. They also partner with many math clubs to distribute free math resources among students to reduce financial barriers and the load on the math clubs. Their website link is usamoguide.com


r/MathOlympiad 2d ago

Discussion HELLP FOR A MATH COMPP :>

5 Upvotes

Ok so i know that year 10 and 11 have math comp in my school and i want to be apart of that how do i study in order to be selected -and win


r/MathOlympiad 2d ago

Discussion Any Tips for AMC10?

1 Upvotes

I am currently -th grade and I'm taking my first AMC 10 this year! (Very excited :)))) )

And I can usually get first 14-16 questions correct but struggle with the harder ones 17-25. On occasion, I can get problem 23 or 24 correct, but yeah.

My average score ~ 100±.

I've done almost all the past papers, currently working on 2024 AMC 10A (like literally rn)

Any tips?


r/MathOlympiad 3d ago

Resources to those who got t10 in Berkeley math tournament / Stanford math tournament calculus

3 Upvotes

what did you use? how long did it take you? what are your other math competition results?


r/MathOlympiad 3d ago

Discussion Looking for people interested in forming a small math research group!

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1 Upvotes

Same as Title

We need 2 more people!!


r/MathOlympiad 3d ago

Combinatorics how to get ukmt books free

4 Upvotes

please tell me where to get the ukmt books for free


r/MathOlympiad 3d ago

AMC 12 AMC cheating

5 Upvotes

Im trying for AIME qualification this year, and I think I can comfortably get a 105-115 but I’ve been hearing about the mass amc12 leaks and wanted to know how much that will affect the minimum scores for this year. I know it went up for 2025 by quite a few points, and wanted to know if it will go up this year by around that much again.


r/MathOlympiad 3d ago

AMC 12 Ground up AMC 12 prep

1 Upvotes

Im super interested in the amc 12 after finding out about it, and am going to be taking it this November. I tried taking a practice test and couldnt even do the first 10 questions I got many 2 or 3 right. Where do I go to study all of the “possible” content that I could see? Obviously I know it’s stupid and i don’t think I will qualify, I just wanna take it and see how good I can do. I’m willing to put in several hours a day, where do I go?


r/MathOlympiad 3d ago

IMO Consejos para principiantes

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1 Upvotes

Hi! I'm a senior student from the Dominican Republic. I'm starting to get really interested in math olympiads, and I have a few months to start preparing, but I don't know how to begin studying. Any tips?


r/MathOlympiad 3d ago

IMO Advice for a beginner

1 Upvotes

Hi! I'm a senior student from the Dominican Republic. I'm starting to get really interested in math olympiads, and I have a few months to start preparing, but I don't know how to begin studying. Any tips?


r/MathOlympiad 4d ago

Discussion HMMT Lottery

1 Upvotes

How likely is an individual competitor to win the lottery for HMMT february


r/MathOlympiad 4d ago

AMC 10 First AMC Mock/Diagnostic Test

1 Upvotes

I did a shortened version with 60 minutes late at night and only first 20 questions and I got a 51 which I know is near average which may seem better than it is for no experience but I feel alot of the questions I had wrong intuitions but I just got lucky and I only answered up to 9 so I dont feel like it went well? Should I redo another diagnostic when im more energetic and have time or do I just start studying now?


r/MathOlympiad 5d ago

USAMO USAMO qual under the new AIME policy

8 Upvotes

Would you say that qualifying for USAMO will be more difficult from now on? What AIME score (approximately) do you think will be needed to qualify for USAMO?


r/MathOlympiad 5d ago

AMC 10 Former USAMO qualifiers, if you had to start back from scratch with half a year to try to qualify for USAMO, would you do it and if so how?

13 Upvotes

I am a sophomore and I actually only have 2 months before AMC, but if I qualify from there I’ll have another 4 months. I am currently using ChatGPT as my tutor in combo with AoPS Alcumus and am going to start Khan Academy and my question is would you even bother and if this is even in the slightest realm of possibility how would you do it?


r/MathOlympiad 5d ago

Discussion Benefits of Math Olympiad applying to other fields?

7 Upvotes

I want to get into math Olympiad to build my math problem solving skills, add to my resume, and just make me overall better at math. Does Olympiad help with these things and for anyone out there how did olympiads help you after highschool and even during highschool.


r/MathOlympiad 5d ago

Algebra Olympiad Algebra

4 Upvotes

What is the best book/resources to study algebra for Math Olympiad


r/MathOlympiad 5d ago

AMC 8 Can someone give me a few materials to learn topics from AMC and questions based on them?? Mostly topic learning and understanding?

1 Upvotes

r/MathOlympiad 6d ago

AIME New AIME rules: Fixed qualifying scores replace ranking-based cutoffs, and students must be 13 or older.

68 Upvotes

MAA just updated the AIME rules, details are here: https://maa.org/maa-invitational-competitions/

Key updates:

  • qualification scores 100+ for AMC 10 and 85 for AMC 12
  • at least 13 years old to qualify
  • Pearson testing centers only
  • computer based
  • new two-part format: two 90-minute sections—q1–8 in Part 1 and q 9–15 in Part 2—with a short break in between. once part 1 ends, students cannot go back to q1–8.
  • no more AIME I & II, only one test during the February 5–6, 2027 competition window.
  • AMC no longer factor into USAMO/USAJMO qualification. Advancement will be primarily based on AIME performance.
  • registration fee $85

r/MathOlympiad 5d ago

Number Theory Where to practice questions for stage 1 olympiads?

1 Upvotes

I have my papers coming up in a week or so.

I wanna practice a bunch of questions along with past year question. Should I solve intermediate "topic" problems from AoPS website?