A ONE INSTITUTE
Jan 11, 2025
Today, I’ll explain how many questions you need to answer correctly on the AMC to qualify for the AIME.
After the AMC comes the AIME.
For students preparing for the AMC, I’ll discuss strategies to qualify for the AIME and share my thoughts on this year’s exam, considering last year’s exam leak incident.
Since the AMC 8 is not a qualifying exam for the AIME but rather designed for students in the 8th grade or below, students aiming to qualify for the AIME need to take the AMC 10 or AMC 12. The scores from the AMC and AIME are multiplied by 10 and added together to determine qualification for USA(J)MO.
While higher scores on the AMC 10/12 are required to advance to USA(J)MO, qualifying for the AIME alone is already considered a significant achievement in the field of mathematics, as I’ve emphasized before. Therefore, setting the AIME as your initial goal is more than sufficient.
Let’s dive into how many questions you need to get right on the AMC 12 to qualify for the AIME.
Scoring System for AMC 10 and AMC 12:
Correct: +6 points
Skip: +1.5 points
Wrong: 0 points
This means even if you skip all the questions, you’ll score 37.5 points.
Analyzing score trends for the two AMC exams (A and B) over the years:
AMC 12:
The AIME cutoff scores were around 96–100 from 2017, but they dropped to approximately 91.5 in 2021 and to 85.5–88.5 in 2023.
AMC 10:
The cutoff scores stayed high at around 112.5 before gradually dropping to the 90s and then rising back to 105.
Qualifying Percentages:
AMC 12: Top 13–15% qualify for the AIME.
AMC 10: Top 6–8% qualify for the AIME.
Although AMC 12 has a higher percentage of students qualifying, which may seem easier, it’s important to remember that the AMC 12 is more difficult than the AMC 10.
Using the most recent cutoff data of 88.5, let’s explore strategies to reach this score on the AMC 12.
Score Scenarios:
Attempt 15 questions, get all correct, skip the rest:
90 point.
This exceeds the cutoff, qualifying you for the AIME.
Attempt 14 questions, get all correct, skip the rest:
100.5 point.
This score also comfortably qualifies.
Attempt 14 questions, get 10 correct, skip 10, miss 4:
81 point.
This is below the cutoff and does not qualify.
Attempt 15 questions, get 12 correct, skip 10, miss 3:
87 point.
This meets the second cutoff and qualifies.
Attempt 14 questions, get 12 correct, skip 11, miss 2:
88.5 point.
This score meets the most recent cutoff.
Attempt 15 questions, get 13 correct, skip 10, miss 2:
93 point.
This exceeds the cutoff.
Realistic Strategies:
To qualify for the AIME, focus on two feasible scenarios:
Scenario 1:Â Attempt 12 questions, get 11 correct, skip the rest.
Scenario 2:Â Attempt 13 questions, get 10 correct, skip the rest.
Avoid attempting all 25 questions; instead, aim to accurately solve 14–15 questions and skip the rest. Focus on the first 15 questions, ensuring minimal errors while skipping the more challenging later ones.
Regarding Last Year’s AMC Leak:
As a test administrator at A-One Institute, I’m well aware of the details. Last year’s exam was offered in both online and paper formats. However, test centers could download the paper exams 4–5 days before the test date, leading to leaks.
Despite attempts to address the issue, such as restricting downloads to the day before the exam, the system still poses risks of leaks. Suggestions to switch entirely to online testing have been dismissed by the MAA.
Other competitions like the USABO and F=MA Physics exam have implemented better systems to reduce leaks, such as synchronized testing worldwide or limiting test centers to non-profits. It’s disappointing that the AMC has not adopted similar measures.
Despite these challenges, I hope you can use the strategies discussed to qualify for the AIME and achieve great results.
For further questions, feel free to contact A-One Institute.Thank you.