Olympiads
Competition math, explained for families who want the real picture.
Contests like the AMC 8, AMC 10, AMC 12, AIME and MATHCOUNTS reward deep problem solving, and admissions readers at selective schools know which ones are hard to fake. This page shows where each contest fits by grade, what it takes to qualify for the next one, and where to start.
The contest ladder
The contests at a glance.
MATHCOUNTS
Grades 6 to 8
Sprint, Target, Team and Countdown rounds.
Chapter February 1 to 28, 2027. State March 1 to 31, 2027. National May 9 and 10, 2027.
Read the MATHCOUNTS guideAMC 8
Grade 8 and below
25 questions, 40 minutes.
The window is January 21 to 27, 2027. Our free and paid mocks are open.
Read the AMC 8 guideAMC 10
Grade 10 and below
25 questions, 75 minutes.
Contest days are Thursday, November 5, 2026 and Friday, November 13, 2026.
Read the AMC 10 guideAMC 12
Grade 12 and below
Same format as the AMC 10, harder problems.
Contest days are Thursday, November 5, 2026 and Friday, November 13, 2026.
Read the AMC 12 guideAIME
By qualifying score
15 questions, answers are whole numbers from 000 to 999.
February 5 or 6, 2027, at Pearson test centers.
Read the AIME guide
Where to start
Which contest should my student take?
| Grade now | Best first contest | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 5 or 6 | MATHCOUNTS (school team or non-school entry) | Builds speed and multi-step habits before the AMC 8. |
| 6 or 7 | MATHCOUNTS and AMC 8 | The AMC 8 is a gentle first national contest, with a free score report here. |
| 8 | AMC 8 in January, then AMC 10 in November | Eighth graders can take the AMC 10, and many strong students do. |
| 9 or 10 | AMC 10 | The main path to AIME is a score of 100 or more. |
| 11 or 12 | AMC 12 | A score of 85 or more qualifies for AIME. |
A strong student can take the AMC 10 on one date and the AMC 12 on the other, for example the 10A and the 12B, but never both on the same day. Eligibility rules are on each contest page.
Admissions
How families use contests in admissions.
Contests are one signal, not a gate. Selective high schools and colleges read them as evidence of depth, next to grades, coursework and what a student built or taught.
The strongest story is a climb: MATHCOUNTS or the AMC 8 in middle school, the AMC 10 in 9th grade, AIME qualification later. Admissions readers recognize that arc.
Preparation matters more than entry. Students who only sit the test often plateau. Students who review problems after each contest improve every year.
For the longer version, read our Academic Olympiads and Competition Strategy (Library guide).
Start here
Three ways to begin.
Free Mock AMC 8
Timed like the real test, with a full score report. An email address is required.
Take it nowAMC 10/12 and AIME
A free diagnostic and timed mocks are being built. Join the list and we will email you when they open.
Join the waitlistMATHCOUNTS
Free timed practice and a score report are in planning. Join the list and we will tell you if it opens.
Join the waitlist
AMC and AIME are registered trademarks of the Mathematical Association of America. MATHCOUNTS is a registered trademark of the MATHCOUNTS Foundation. EduAvenues is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by either organization.