October 24, 2025
11 min. read
Knowing how to register for AMC is the first practical step every student should take before competing.
The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), organized by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), does not allow students to register directly; registration must be processed through an approved school or authorized test center.
This guide walks through every step of the AMC registration process for 2026: how to find a test center, how to enroll and pay, what the deadlines are, what it costs, and how international students register.
Whether you are sitting the AMC 8, AMC 10, or AMC 12, the process is the same.
Before registering, confirm you meet the eligibility requirements by checking the AMC age limit and grade rules.
If you are still deciding whether AMC is worth your time, the benefits of AMC math post make the case clearly.
AMC Registration: What You Need to Know First
Before diving into the steps, here are the three most important things to understand about how AMC registration works:
| Key Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| You cannot self-register with MAA | All registrations go through an approved school or authorized test center |
| Registration opens in August/September | Spots fill quickly — contact your school or test center as early as possible |
| Three exam levels, different dates | AMC 8 is held in January; AMC 10 and AMC 12 are held in November |
| Exam | Typical Contest Date | Who Can Register |
|---|---|---|
| AMC 8 | January | Grade 8 or below, under 14.5 years old |
| AMC 10A / 10B | November (two dates) | Grade 10 or below, under 17.5 years old |
| AMC 12A / 12B | November (two dates) | Grade 12 or below, under 19.5 years old |
For a full eligibility breakdown including boundary cases and dual-sitting rules, see the AMC age limit guide.
How to Register for AMC: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Find Your AMC Test Center
The first step in learning how to register for AMC is identifying where you will take the exam. There are three types of authorized AMC test centers:
Option A — Your Own School
This is the simplest and most common route. Many middle schools and high schools across the United States are official MAA-authorized AMC test centers.
Contact your math teacher, school counselor, or competition coordinator and ask: “Is our school hosting the AMC this year?”
If the answer is yes, your school’s Competition Manager handles all the logistics — registration forms, payment, exam administration, and result reporting. You simply enroll through them.
Option B — A Nearby Authorized Test Center
If your school does not host the AMC, you can still compete through another authorized institution. These include:
- Colleges and universities
- Math circles
- Accredited tutoring or learning centers approved by the MAA
To find one, visit the official MAA AMC website at maa.org and use the “Find a Test Center” search tool. Enter your zip code or city, and it will show all authorized locations near you along with contact details for each Competition Manager.
Option C — Online Registration (Select Regions)
In certain regions, particularly for international students or students in areas with limited physical test centers, direct online registration through the MAA portal is available. This is covered in detail in the international registration section below.
Step 2: Confirm Your Eligibility
Before contacting your test center to enroll, confirm that you are registering for the correct AMC level. Registering for the wrong exam is a common and easily avoidable mistake.
| Exam | Grade Requirement | Age Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| AMC 8 | Grade 8 or below | Under 14.5 years old on contest day |
| AMC 10 | Grade 10 or below | Under 17.5 years old on contest day |
| AMC 12 | Grade 12 or below | Under 19.5 years old on contest day |
Both conditions, grade level and age, must be satisfied. If you meet the grade requirement but exceed the age limit, you must register for the next level up.
For detailed guidance on boundary cases and what to do if your birthday falls close to the cutoff, see the AMC age limit guide.
Can you register for both AMC 10 and AMC 12?
Yes — if you are eligible for AMC 10. The A and B sittings are on different dates so that a 10th grader can sit AMC 10A and AMC 12B (or AMC 10B and AMC 12A) in the same year. You cannot sit for the AMC 10 and the AMC 12 on the same date.
Step 3: Enroll Through Your Test Center and Pay the Fee
Once you have identified your test center and confirmed your eligibility, the next step is officially enrolling.
Through your school: Your school’s Competition Manager will provide an enrollment form either paper or digital. Complete it, return it by their internal deadline, and pay any applicable fee.
Your school will then submit the registration to the MAA on your behalf.
Through an external test center: Contact the Competition Manager at your chosen test center directly. They will walk you through their specific enrollment process, which typically involves completing a registration form and paying a fee either online or in person.
Through the MAA portal (online registration): If direct online registration is available in your region:
- Go to maa.org/amcreg
- Create an MAA account or log in to an existing one
- Select your exam level — AMC 8, AMC 10A/10B, or AMC 12A/12B
- Choose your test center from the available locations
- Complete the enrollment form and pay the registration fee securely online
- Save your confirmation email and registration number
Registration fees: AMC registration fees typically range from $5 to $20 per student, depending on the test center. Some schools absorb this cost as part of their academic programs.
Others pass it on to students directly. Contact your Competition Manager to confirm the exact amount and accepted payment methods before the deadline.
Step 4: Watch for Your Exam Confirmation
After enrollment is complete, your Competition Manager or the MAA will send a confirmation with your exam details approximately one to two weeks before the contest date. This confirmation will include:
- Your exam date and start time
- The test location address (or online access link if applicable)
- Any materials you are permitted to bring (pencils, scratch paper — no calculators)
- What to do if you need to cancel or reschedule
If you do not receive a confirmation within a reasonable period after enrolling, follow up with your Competition Manager directly. Do not assume your registration is complete until you have received written confirmation.
Step 5: Prepare and Show Up Ready
Registration is the logistical step. Preparation is what turns a registration into a strong result.
AMC exams do not allow calculators. The only materials permitted are pencils and scratch paper (typically provided by the test center). Arrive early, bring photo ID if required by your test center, and have your confirmation details accessible.
For everything you need to know about building a preparation plan after registering, see how to prepare for an AMC math competition.
To understand what score to aim for once you are registered, use the AMC score benchmarks guide.
AMC Registration Timeline: When to Register in 2026
Timing is one of the most critical parts of knowing how to register for AMC. Spots at popular test centers fill up quickly, and late registration can mean missing your preferred location entirely.
| Milestone | Typical Timing |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | August – September |
| Early registration deadline | October (varies by test center) |
| Final registration deadline | Late October – early November |
| AMC 10A / 12A contest | Early November |
| AMC 10B / 12B contest | Mid-November |
| AMC 8 contest | January |
The most important rule: contact your school or test center as early as possible, ideally in August when registration opens, rather than waiting until October.
Test centers allocate a fixed number of seats, and the most accessible locations (your own school) may have a fixed cap based on available space.
Always verify current deadlines on the official MAA AMC website since exact dates shift slightly each year.
How International Students Register for AMC
International students can absolutely register for and compete in AMC math competitions.
The process follows the same core structure as U.S. registration but routes through country-level authorized partners rather than directly through the MAA.
How International Registration Works
Outside the United States and Canada, AMC registration is managed by official MAA international partners. These are typically:
- Accredited international schools with MAA authorization
- Country-level AMC coordinators appointed by the MAA
- Math circles or learning centers officially approved as international test sites
These partners handle all registration logistics on behalf of students in their region — collecting enrollments, administering payments, hosting the exams under official conditions, and submitting results to the MAA.
How to Find Your Country’s AMC Partner
Visit the official MAA AMC website and look for the international registration section. It lists authorized partners by country.
If your country is not listed or you cannot locate a partner, contact the MAA directly at their AMC support email for guidance on the nearest available option.
Same Rules Apply Internationally
International students sit the exact same AMC exams under the same conditions and the same time pressure as U.S. students.
All AMC age limits, grade requirements, scoring rules, and AIME qualification cutoffs apply identically regardless of location.
This means international students can qualify for the AIME and, through that, potentially for USAJMO, USAMO, and representation at the IMO through the U.S. pathway, though specific Olympiad team selection has additional eligibility criteria.
What to Bring on AMC Exam Day
Once you have completed registration, knowing what to bring prevents any avoidable issues on contest day.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Pencils (No. 2) | ✅ Required |
| Eraser | ✅ Bring your own |
| Scratch paper | ✅ Usually provided by test center |
| Watch (non-smart) | ✅ Recommended |
| Registration confirmation | ✅ Bring a copy |
| Photo ID | ✅ May be required — check with your test center |
| Calculator | ❌ Not permitted on any AMC exam |
| Notes or textbooks | ❌ Not permitted |
| Phone | ❌ Must be off and stored away during exam |
The no-calculator rule applies to all three AMC exams — AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12. This is intentional: AMC problems are designed to test mathematical reasoning and creative problem-solving, not computational speed.
Can I register for AMC without going through a school?
Yes. If your school does not host the AMC, you can register through any MAA-authorized test center, such as a college, math circle, or accredited learning center. Use the “Find a Test Center” tool on the MAA website.
What is the AMC registration fee?
Fees vary by test center but typically range from $5 to $20 per student. Some schools cover the fee entirely. Contact your Competition Manager to confirm the exact amount.
When does AMC registration open for 2026?
Registration typically opens in August or September. Check the official MAA website for exact dates specific to the 2026 competition cycle.
Can homeschooled students register for AMC?
Yes. Homeschooled students are eligible to register through any authorized AMC test center that agrees to proctor the exam. The same eligibility rules apply.
What happens if I register for the wrong AMC level?
Contact your Competition Manager as soon as possible. If the registration deadline has not passed, they can typically amend your enrollment to the correct level. If the deadline has passed, options depend on the MAA’s policies for that year.
Can I take both AMC 10 and AMC 12 in the same year?
Yes, if eligible. Since AMC 10A and AMC 12B are on different dates, an eligible student can sit both. Contact your test center to enroll for both sittings.
How do I know if my registration is confirmed?
You should receive a written confirmation from your Competition Manager or the MAA portal after enrollment. If you do not receive confirmation within one to two weeks of registering, follow up directly with your Competition Manager.
After Registration: What Comes Next
Once your registration is confirmed, the next priority is preparation. Here is where to go from here:
Understand what the exam tests. The AMC maths competition syllabus covers every topic tested at each level — algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics, and probability for AMC 10/12, with additional topics like trigonometry on the AMC 12.
Know your target score. Before you begin studying, understand what a competitive score looks like. The AMC score benchmarks guide breaks down national averages, Honor Roll cutoffs, and AIME qualification thresholds for 2026.
Build a preparation plan. A structured approach to past papers, topic practice, and timing strategy makes a measurable difference. Follow the step-by-step framework in how to prepare for an AMC math competition.
Understand the full competition pathway. Registration is the first step on a journey that can lead to AIME, USAJMO, USAMO, and the IMO. For the full picture of where AMC can take you, see how to qualify for the IMO in the USA.
Make Preparing for Math Olympiad Simple!
Conclusion
Knowing how to register for AMC comes down to four clear actions: find an authorized test center, confirm your eligibility, enroll and pay before the deadline, and receive your confirmation.
The earlier you start, the more popular test centers fill their seats quickly, and the registration window closes faster than most students expect.
Start by contacting your school’s math teacher or competition coordinator today, or use the MAA’s test center finder to locate the nearest authorized location.
Once you are registered, everything else, the preparation, the score, the pathway to AIME and beyond, follows from that first step.
