The AMC 8 is a contest for students in grades 8 and below, hosted annually by the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) to students all over the United States.
Usually, high scoring students will be given a chance by their school to take the more challenging AMC 10 exam. However, there is no requirement for the AMC 10 besides the fact that you have to be 10
grade or below.
The AMC 8 is administered by the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC). Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) is a proud sponsor of the AMC. The test is intended to foster interest in mathematics and also to help middle school students learn mathematical problem solving.
The AMC 8 replaced the AJHSME.
| AMC 8 |
| Region: USA |
| Type: Multiple Choice |
| Difficulty: 1 - 1.5 |
| Difficulty Breakdown: Problems 1 - 12: 1 |
Contents
- 1 Format
- 2 Schedule
- 3 Curriculum
- 4 Resources
- 4.1 Online test
- 4.2 Video Playlist
- 4.3 Links
- 4.4 Recommended reading
- 4.5 Preparation Classes
- 5 See also
Format
The AMC 8 exam is a 25 problem exam. There are 40 minutes given in the exam. Problems increase in difficulty as the problem number increases.
Schedule
The AMC 8 is usually administered on the third week of January. There is a 1-week window for students to take the test.
Curriculum
The AMC 8 tests mathematical problem solving with algebra, arithmetic, counting, geometry, logic, number theory, and probability.
It is easier than the AMC 10, but because of the difference in topics, it is not recommended to practice AMC 10s for the AMC 8.
Resources
Online test
This website provides a list of all AMC tests with answers, solutions, and a timer:Math Space
Video Playlist
These videos are really good for learning many concepts that come on the AMC 8:
-Permutations and Combinations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6a4uHEwQnM&
-Casework, Complementary Counting, and Overcounting (PIE): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhsb5lv6jCI
This is a playlist made by Sohil Rathi that covers many of the key concepts and strategies that are on the AMC 8.
https://youtu.be/atSMf1eegmU?list=PLT9bNzqjDoMnF2rmrySRQF_c_gUjKkVMe
Here are some more good videos that go through AMC 8 problem solving
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKlYlAiBzrs&list=PLLCzevlMcsWNBsdpItBT4r7Pa8cZb6Viu&index=2&t=92s ~ MathEx
Links
Use the links above to access many years worth of competition questions and answers.
Recommended reading
- Introduction to Counting & Probability by Dr. David Patrick. Information
- Introduction to Geometry by Richard Rusczyk. Information
- The Art of Problem Solving Volume I by Sandor Lehoczky and Richard Rusczyk. Information.
Preparation Classes
- Art of Problem Solving offers many helpful online classes on topics covered by the AMC 8.
- AoPS holds many free Math Jams, some of which include problems and concepts at the level tested by the AMC 8.
- EPGY offers some contest preparation classes.
- This channel holds many free classes. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Nt9Uo03VSo2QTNIzsE_cA and fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/1YNouth3P6oryjuF6.
- Expii and The Daily Challenge also offer many live courses to go through the AMC 8
