Overview
The AMC 12 is the senior high-school contest in the American Mathematics Competitions run by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), for students in grade 12 and below. Like the AMC 10, it is the first step towards the USA team for international competitions such as the International Mathematical Olympiad, through the AIME and the USA Mathematical Olympiad.
Who can take it
The student must be in grade 12 or below.
The student must be 19.5 years old or younger on the day of the competition, according to the MAA 2026-27 policies.
Students register through a school or other approved site, not directly with the MAA. Minors need a parent or guardian to complete their registration.
A student may not take the AMC 10 and AMC 12 on the same day.
Outside the USA and Canada, the MAA points students to its parallel AMC International programme.
Exam pattern
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 25, multiple choice |
| Time | 75 minutes |
| Calculators | Not allowed |
There are two versions, the AMC 12A and the AMC 12B. Eligible students may take both.
Allowed: writing tools, erasers, blank scratch paper from the manager, rulers, and compasses. Not allowed: calculators, formula sheets, and any device that can send or receive information, including phones, smartwatches, headphones and smart glasses.
Syllabus
The MAA says the paper covers the full high-school mathematics curriculum, including trigonometry, advanced algebra and advanced geometry. Calculus is excluded.
Marking and results
The maximum score is 150. Sample score reports in the MAA's competition manager guide show 6 points for a correct answer, 1.5 for a blank and 0 for a wrong answer. Scores are expected to be finalised in mid-December 2026, when AIME invitations go out.
Important dates
For the 2026-27 season:
AMC 12A: 5 November 2026. AMC 12B: 13 November 2026.
Registration opened on 2 September 2026.
Students may discuss AMC 12A problems from 7 November 2026 and AMC 12B problems from 17 November 2026.
Fees
Fees are paid by the competition site. For 2026-27 the site registration fee is 75 by 15 October 2026 (the last date for new competition managers) and 30 and can be used for either the A or the B version; a student taking both needs two licences. What a student pays, if anything, is decided by the host site.
How to apply
Ask your school whether it will host the AMC 12. If it will not, look at nearby colleges, math circles or learning centres; the MAA publishes a public list of registered sites each year. Students and parents do not register directly with the MAA.
After the exam
For the 2027 AIME, a score of 85 or more on the AMC 12 qualifies a student to register, if the other eligibility rules are met. The cut-off is a fixed score, not a percentage. The AIME is held on 5 and 6 February 2027 at Pearson testing centres, costs $85 plus taxes if applicable, and is open only to students aged 13 and older.
Preparation tips
Practise past AMC 12 papers under timed conditions, without a calculator.
Work through the topics listed under Syllabus, including trigonometry and advanced algebra.
What score qualifies for the AIME from the AMC 12?
For the 2027 AIME, 85 or above, as long as the student meets the other eligibility rules.
Can I take both the AMC 12A and the AMC 12B?
Yes. Eligible students may take both versions. They may not take the AMC 10 and AMC 12 on the same day.