American Mathematics Competition Eligibility 2026: AMC 8, AMC 10 & AMC 12

The American Mathematics Competition (AMC) is a mathematics competition conducted by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) for school students. It allows students to develop mathematical problem-solving skills through challenging questions. The AMC programme includes AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12, with eligibility based mainly on the student's grade level and age.

For the 2026-27 competition cycle, students should check the eligibility requirements for the specific AMC contest they plan to take. The MAA has also announced the 2026-27 competition dates.

American Mathematics Competition Eligibility 2026-27

The eligibility criteria differ for AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12. Students must meet both the required grade level and maximum age limit on the day of the competition.

The AMC 8 is intended for middle school students, while AMC 10 and AMC 12 are designed for high school students.

AMC 8 Eligibility

Students can participate in AMC 8 if they:

• Are studying in Grade 8 or below.

• Are under 15.5 years of age on the day of the competition.

• Meet the MAA's other competition requirements.

AMC 8 consists of 25 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 40 minutes. Its questions focus on middle school mathematics, including counting and probability, proportional reasoning, estimation, geometry, spatial visualisation, and graphs and tables. Some questions may also involve introductory algebra.

AMC 8 Age Limit

The AMC 8 age limit is under 15.5 years on the day of the competition. Therefore, students should check their age carefully against the actual competition date before registering.

For the 2026-27 cycle, the AMC 8 is scheduled to be conducted between January 21 and January 27, 2027.

AMC 10 Eligibility

The AMC 10 is designed for students in Grade 10 and below. To participate, students must:

• Be studying in Grade 10 or below.

• Be under 17.5 years old on the day of the competition.

• Meet the applicable MAA competition requirements.

AMC 10 has 25 multiple-choice questions and a 75-minute time limit. The syllabus covers areas such as elementary algebra, basic geometry, number theory, probability, and area and volume. Trigonometry and advanced algebra and geometry are not included in the AMC 10 curriculum.

AMC 10 Age Limit

The AMC 10 age limit is under 17.5 years on the date of the competition. Students in Grades 9 and 10 are commonly eligible, but younger students may also participate if they meet the grade and age requirements.

The AMC 10 A is scheduled for November 5, 2026, while the AMC 10 B is scheduled for November 13, 2026.

AMC 12 Eligibility

The AMC 12 is intended for high school students in Grade 12 and below. Students must:

• Be studying in Grade 12 or below.

• Be under 19.5 years old on the day of the competition.

• Meet the MAA's competition requirements.

AMC 12 contains 25 multiple-choice questions that students must solve in 75 minutes. It covers the broader high school mathematics curriculum, including advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, number theory, and probability. Calculus is excluded.

AMC 12 Age Limit

The AMC 12 age limit is under 19.5 years on the day of the competition.

For 2026-27, the AMC 12 A is scheduled for November 5, 2026, and the AMC 12 B is scheduled for November 13, 2026.

AMC 8 vs AMC 10 vs AMC 12 Eligibility

Students can use the following table to quickly understand which AMC competition may be suitable for them:

The choice between AMC 10 and AMC 12 depends on the student's grade, age, and mathematics background. Students who meet the requirements should also remember that AMC 10 and AMC 12 cannot be taken on the same day.

American Mathematics Competition Eligibility for International Students

The MAA states that students living outside the United States and Canada should check whether their country participates through the AMC International programme. Therefore, students in other countries should not assume that the U.S./Canada registration process applies to them.

Students and parents should check the MAA's current international participation information and local administration options before planning to register.

Can Students Take AMC 10 and AMC 12?

Students may be eligible for either AMC 10 or AMC 12 based on their grade and age. However, the MAA states that students may not take AMC 10 and AMC 12 on the same day. AMC 10 and AMC 12 each have A and B versions held on separate dates, allowing eligible students to participate according to the applicable rules.

How to Check Your AMC Eligibility

Students can follow these simple steps:

1. Check your current grade.

2. Check your age on the competition date.

3. Compare your details with the eligibility requirements for AMC 8, AMC 10, or AMC 12.

4. Check whether your school or another authorised competition centre offers the AMC.

5. For students outside the U.S. and Canada, check the applicable AMC International programme.

6. Review the latest MAA policies before registering.

AMC Competition Dates 2026-27

The MAA has announced the following dates for the 2026-27 AMC competitions:

Students should confirm the latest schedule and administration details with their competition manager because registration and administration arrangements may vary.

The American Mathematics Competition eligibility criteria are mainly based on grade level and age. AMC 8 is for students in Grade 8 and below who are under 15.5 years old, AMC 10 is for students in Grade 10 and below who are under 17.5, and AMC 12 is for students in Grade 12 and below who are under 19.5.

Students should carefully review the official MAA requirements before registering and choose the competition that aligns with their eligibility and mathematical preparation.