Overview
The Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) is run by the Australian Maths Trust for school students. It is a problem-solving contest rather than a school-curriculum test. The details below are for the 2026 competition.
Who can apply
Students enter through their school. Entries are grouped into five divisions by school year.
Levels or stages
| Division | Australian school years |
|---|---|
| Middle Primary | Years 3 and 4 |
| Upper Primary | Years 5 and 6 |
| Junior | Years 7 and 8 |
| Intermediate | Years 9 and 10 |
| Senior | Years 11 and 12 |
Exam pattern
Each paper has 30 questions: 25 multiple choice and 5 with an integer answer. Primary divisions have 60 minutes and secondary divisions have 75 minutes. It can be taken online or on paper.
Marking and results
Questions get harder and are worth more marks as the paper goes on. Questions 1 to 10 are worth 3 marks each, questions 11 to 20 are worth 4 marks, questions 21 to 25 are worth 5 marks, and questions 26 to 30 are worth between 6 and 10 marks. The maximum score is 135.
Important dates
For 2026, the competition window was Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 August 2026. Online entries closed on Friday 31 July 2026.
Fees
For 2026, the entry fee was AUD 9.30 per student.
After the exam
Awards include Participation, Proficiency, Credit, Distinction, High Distinction and Prize certificates, and Best in School. Secondary students can also earn the Cheryl Praeger Medal and AMC Medals. The Peter O'Halloran Award recognises a perfect score.
Preparation tips
Practise past AMC papers, which the Australian Maths Trust publishes.
Work on the later questions, since they carry the most marks and need integer answers.
How long is the AMC?
60 minutes for the primary divisions and 75 minutes for the secondary divisions.
How much does the AMC cost in 2026?
AUD 9.30 per student.