How Do I Register for the AMC Math Competitions?

You can register for the AMC math competitions through the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) website. Simply create an account, choose your competition level (AMC 8, 10, or 12), and follow the instructions to register individually or through your school.

Organized by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), the AMC is one of the most respected math contests for students like you, from elementary to high school. 

The AMC isn’t just another test; it’s a journey. High scorers on the AMC 10 and AMC 12 move on to the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination).

From there, some qualify for elite contests like the USAMO and even the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).

Key Registration Principle: Registering Through an Authorized Institution

Here’s something important to know before you sign up for the AMC Math Competitions: you can’t register directly with the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) on your own.

Don’t worry, though, the process is simple once you know how it works.

To participate, you must register through an approved Competition Manager at a certified testing center. 

These testing centers are usually middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities, math circles, or learning centers that have been officially authorized by the MAA to host the AMC exams.

If you want to participate, the best thing you can do is check with your school or a nearby AMC test center early. 

Ask if they’re hosting the competition this year, and if they are, they’ll guide you through registration and payment.

Registering through your school or a certified AMC center helps maintain the integrity and standardized experience of the competition, making sure every student, including you, gets the same fair opportunity to shine.

Registration Options for AMC Math Competitions

When it comes to signing up for the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), there’s more than one way to get started and choosing the right option depends on where you study and live. 

Whether your school hosts the exam or you’re registering independently, here’s how you can secure your spot in the AMC math contest.

Register Through Your School

This is the easiest and most common way to register for the AMC.
Many schools are official AMC test centers, approved by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Ask your math teacher or school counselor if your school is hosting the AMC this year.
2. If they are, they’ll handle all the registration details for you.
3. You may need to pay a small participation fee, depending on your school’s policy.

Register Through an Official AMC Test Center

If your school isn’t hosting the AMC, don’t worry, you can still take part!

You can register through a certified AMC test center, such as a college, university, math circle, or accredited learning center approved by the MAA.

Here’s how:

1. Visit the official MAA AMC website and use the “Find a Test Center” tool.
2. Contact the test center coordinator to ask about registration procedures, available dates, and fees.
3. Follow their instructions to complete your registration.

This method is perfect if your school doesn’t organize the competition, but you still want to challenge yourself with the AMC.

🔹Register Online (for AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12 in Some Regions)

In certain areas, especially for international students, you can register directly through the official MAA AMC portal.

The process is quick and simple:

1. Create an account on the MAA website.
2. Choose your competition level (AMC 8, 10, or 12) and select your nearest test center.
3. Pay the registration fee securely online.

Just make sure you register early, seats fill up fast! Reaching out to your school or test center ahead of time helps you avoid last-minute stress and ensures you’re ready for test day.

Whether you register through your school, a local test center, or online, the key is to start early and stay informed. 

Once your registration is confirmed, you’ll be one step closer to joining thousands of students worldwide in one of the most exciting math competitions is the AMC.

Registration Process for AMC Math Competitions 

Getting ready to join the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC)? Awesome!

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you register correctly and confidently, whether it’s for the AMC 8, AMC 10, or AMC 12.

Step 1: Locate a Test Center

Your first task is to find where you’ll take the AMC exam. There are two main options:

• Check with Your School

Start by asking your math teacher, principal, or guidance counselor if your school is hosting the AMC this year. 

Many schools act as official AMC test centers, approved by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). 

If your school participates, you can register directly through them. It’s the easiest way to secure your spot!

• Search for Other AMC Test Centers

If your school doesn’t host the competition, don’t worry, you can still take part.

Visit the official MAA AMC website and use the “Find a Test Center” tool to look up colleges, universities, math circles, or accredited learning centers nearby that are authorized AMC test centers.

🔹 Step 2: Enroll and Pay the Registration Fee

Once you’ve found your test center, it’s time to officially sign up.

• Follow the Test Center’s Instructions

Each center manages its own registration process. Usually, you’ll need to fill out a short form and pay an administrative fee — this helps cover the AMC license cost from the MAA.

• Complete Your MAA Enrollment

After securing your spot, most test centers will ask you to create an account on the MAA portal to complete your official AMC registration.

On the site, you’ll confirm your details, select your AMC level (8, 10, or 12), and finalize your registration.

🔹 Step 3: Confirm Your Registration and Get Ready

Now that you’re registered, it’s time to prepare!

•  Receive Your Exam Details

Approximately 1–2 weeks before the exam, your Competition Manager will send you important information, including your exam date, test location, and access details (if the test is online).

• Double-Check Your Eligibility

Before test day, make sure you meet the AMC’s grade and age requirements:

• AMC 8: For students in Grade 8 or below, under 14.5 years old.
• AMC 10: For students in Grade 10 or below, under 17.5 years old.
• AMC 12: For students in Grade 12 or below, under 19.5 years old.

This step ensures you’re registered for the correct competition and that your score will be officially recorded by the MAA.

Registration Timeline and Fees for AMC Math Competitions

If you’re planning to take part in the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), timing is everything!
Knowing when and how to register helps you stay organized and secure your seat before spots fill up.

🔹 Registration Timeline

Registration for AMC contests usually opens in August or September each year.

• The AMC 8 is typically held in January, giving middle school students a great start to the new year.
• The AMC 10 and AMC 12 are generally held in November, with some regions offering additional rounds in February for extra opportunities.

Since exact dates can vary from year to year, it’s smart to check the official MAA AMC website regularly for the most up-to-date deadlines and schedules.

🔹 Registration Fees

The registration fee for AMC competitions usually depends on your test center or school, but it’s generally between $5 and $20 per student.

Some schools cover this fee as part of their academic programs, while others may ask you or your parents to contribute.

If your school is hosting the exam, check with your math teacher or competition coordinator about the exact amount.

If you’re registering through a college, learning center, or another test site, contact them directly to confirm payment details and accepted methods.

International Student Registration for AMC Math Competitions

If you’re an international student dreaming of joining the AMC math competitions, great news: you can absolutely participate! You just need to register through the right channel.

🔹Registering Through Authorized Partners

Outside the United States and Canada, all AMC registrations go through official international partners or MAA-approved institutions.

These can include:

• Accredited international schools
• Math circles or learning centers
• Country-level AMC coordinators authorized by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA)

These partners are responsible for handling registrations, collecting fees, administering the exams, and communicating results directly with the MAA.

If you’re unsure who the AMC partner is in your country, check the official MAA AMC website or ask your school if they can connect you to the regional coordinator.

🔹Same Rules, Global Opportunities

The best part?

No matter where you live, the rules and eligibility criteria remain the same:

• AMC 8: Grade 8 or below, under 14.5 years old
• AMC 10: Grade 10 or below, under 17.5 years old
• AMC 12: Grade 12 or below, under 19.5 years old

International students follow the same exam format, scoring, and competition policies as participants in the U.S. 

This ensures every student, whether in Singapore, India, the U.K., or anywhere else, gets a fair, standardized experience.

By registering through authorized international channels, your results are officially recognized by the MAA.

Meaning your performance counts toward advancement opportunities like the AIME, USAMO, or even the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) pathway.

What You’ll Need During AMC Registration

Before you start your AMC math competition registration, make sure you have everything ready.

This will help you complete the process quickly and avoid any last-minute hiccups. Here’s a simple checklist of what you’ll need:

1. Student’s Full Name, Grade, and School Details

Be ready to provide your full legal name, current grade level, and the name of your school or learning institution.

This information is essential for verifying your eligibility and ensuring that your scores are recorded correctly with the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

2. Parent or Guardian Contact Information

If you’re registering through an external test center or online, you’ll need to include your parent or guardian’s contact details.

These are used for communication, payment confirmations, and in case of any urgent updates about your exam.

Having your parent or guardian involved also helps with faster coordination, especially if the test center reaches out with registration or scheduling updates.

3. Preferred Test Center and Exam Date

Next, choose your authorized AMC test center. This is where you’ll take your exam.

You may also need to select your preferred test date, especially for AMC 10 and AMC 12, which sometimes have multiple test sessions or rounds (like November and February).

If your school is hosting the AMC, you’re all set! But if you’re taking it through another test center, confirm the location, reporting time, and mode of the exam (paper or digital) in advance.

4. Payment Method

You’ll need a valid payment method ready at the time of registration.

• If you’re registering through your school, they may collect the fee directly.
• If you’re signing up online or through an external test center, payment is usually made via credit or debit card, or through direct bank transfer, depending on the location.

The registration fee typically ranges from $5 to $20 per student, depending on your test center and region.

Preparing After Registration for the AMC

Congratulations! You’ve officially registered for the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC)!
Now it’s time to make sure everything’s in order and start preparing smartly so you can perform your best on exam day.

1. Confirm Your Registration Details

After signing up through your school or test center, take a moment to double-check your registration details.
Confirm the following with your Competition Coordinator or Competition Manager:

• Your exam date (AMC 8, 10, or 12)
• Your reporting time and test location
• Whether your exam will be paper-based or online

Having these details ready helps you plan your schedule and avoid any last-minute confusion.

2. Start Practicing with Past AMC Papers

Once your registration is confirmed, it’s time to dive into AMC preparation.
Start by solving past AMC question papers, they’ll help you:

• Understand the question style and difficulty level
• Practice under timed conditions to improve speed
• Learn how to manage tricky and non-routine problems

You can find official AMC past papers on the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) website or on trusted learning platforms like Gonit App, Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) and Brilliant.org.

3. Review AMC Exam Rules and Materials

Knowing the rules and exam policies ahead of time is just as important as studying math itself.

• Calculator Policy: Some AMC exams do not allow calculators, so practice solving problems without one.
• Allowed Tools: Bring only approved materials (like pencils, erasers, and geometry tools if needed).
• Exam Conduct: Arrive early and follow all instructions from your proctor or Competition Manager.

Understanding these guidelines in advance helps you stay calm and confident during the competition, no surprises, just focus!

4. Plan, Practice, and Stay Consistent

The secret to doing well in the AMC isn’t cramming; it’s consistent, focused practice.

• Set small daily or weekly goals for problem-solving.
• Review your weak areas and revisit concepts you find challenging.
• Stay curious and enjoy the process. Every problem you solve makes you sharper.

With the right preparation, discipline, and mindset, you’ll walk into exam day ready to think fast, stay calm, and give it your best shot.

This combination of preparation and planning will set you up for success in the AMC math competitions and help you grow as a confident, creative problem-solver.

Conclusion

Success in the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) isn’t just about winning medals; it’s about how you grow along the way. 

Registering early, preparing smartly, and staying consistent give you the best foundation to make the most of this exciting opportunity.

The AMC is more than a math contest; it’s a chance to build problem-solving, logical reasoning, and analytical skills that will serve you for life. 

So, your AMC journey is not just preparing for a competition; you’re building the mindset of a true problem-solver and future innovator.