AMC 8 FAQs: The Ultimate Guide for First-Time Test Takers

New to the AMC 8? This page is your complete guide—covering what the AMC 8 is, who it’s for, award levels, scoring trends, and how to start preparing effectively. Whether your child is aiming for Achievement Roll or Distinguished Honor Roll, Think Academy provides the resources and support to help them build critical thinking skills and gain early confidence in math competitions. Scroll down to explore expert insights, download past exam solutions, and access free AMC 8 practice tools designed to help students succeed at every level.

What is AMC 8

The America Mathematics Competition (AMC) 8 holds a unique and valuable position as a mathematics competition hosted by Mathematical Association of America (MAA) every year.

Who Can Participate? Students in Grade 8 or below, under 14.5 years old on competition day.
Competition Focus: Tests counting and probability, estimation, proportional reasoning, elementary geometry, basic algebra, and critical problem-solving skills.
Why AMC 8 Matters: Develops early mathematical confidence, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving; identifies young math talent and inspires lifelong passion for math.

If you are interested in participating in the upcoming AMC 8, check this page for the latest info.

AMC 8 Format and Scoring

Number of Questions: 25 multiple-choice questions
Time Limit: 40 minutes
Two formats: Paper-based exams and Computer-based exams

Scoring System:

Correct answer: 1 point
Unanswered or incorrect: 0 points
Maximum Score: 25 points

AMC 8 Awards and Qualifications

AMC 8 awards recognize outstanding mathematical achievement at various levels:

Award Name	Qualification Criteria
Certificate of Achievement (AR Award)	15+ points (Grade 6 or below)
Honor Roll	18–21 points (Top 5% nationally)
Distinguished Honor Roll	22+ points (Top 1% nationally)

What Is a Good AMC 8 Score?

A “good” AMC 8 score depends on your goals and the exam’s difficulty in a given year. Based on data from 2020–2025, here are reliable benchmarks:

Distinguished Honor Roll (22+ points)
- Goal: Stand out for top schools and advanced math contests.
  - This is a top-level score that shows strong readiness for AMC 10, AIME, and STEM programs.
  - Boosts applications to elite schools and math camps
  - Common among students who advance to AIME and USA(J)MO
Honor Roll (18+ points)
- Goal: Build a strong foundation for future competitions.
  - A solid score that shows you’re ready for AMC 10 and advanced math enrichment.
  - Recognized by math tracks and summer programs
  - Good preparation for higher-level contests
Achievement Roll (15+ points, Grade 6 and below)
- Goal: Gain early exposure and confidence.
  - A strong result for younger students just getting started.
  - Encourages interest in math competitions
  - Builds a strong base for future success

Is AMC 8 Hard

The AMC 8 is the first step on the AMC-to-USAMO competition pathway and serves as an important foundation for diagnosing a student’s math ability. It is also used as an admissions reference by many secondary schools.

The difficulty of the AMC 8 is not easily defined as simply “easy” or “hard”—it depends on a student’s current math level, ability, and goals. However, as a math competition, it is certainly more challenging than typical in-school math. It introduces more advanced concepts, formulas, and problem-solving applications.

Explore the pages below to better understand the differences between standard school math and AMC-style competition problems.

Comparison between AMC 8 and 10

One of the most common questions about AMC 8 is its difficulty level versus AMC 10. Think Academy has done detailed research about AMC 8 and AMC 10, read the article below to understand its difference.

How Hard is AMC 10 in Comparison to AMC 8 and In-School Math?

We also have student who share the real journey of getting through AMC 8 to AMC 10. Read the article below.

A Rising Star: Conquering the Leap from AMC 8 Achievement Roll to AMC 10 Honor Roll

Who Should Take the AMC 8?

The AMC 8 is a national math contest for middle schoolers. It builds problem-solving skills and is a great first step into competitive math.

Here’s who it’s best for:

Grade 7–8 students who excel in math: Strong in school math? Enjoy solving tough problems? AMC 8 is the perfect challenge—no contest experience needed.
Younger students with advanced ability: In Grade 6 or below but ahead in math? Tried Math Kangaroo or Math League? AMC 8 offers a higher level and builds early confidence.
Students aiming for AMC 10 or top programs: AMC 8 is the foundation for contests like AMC 10, AIME, and MATHCOUNTS. Strong scores are also valued by top private schools and summer camps.
Students interested in STEM fields: STEM careers require more than grades. AMC 8 shows critical thinking and creativity—skills that colleges and employers care about.

Bottom line: If your child loves math or wants to explore STEM, AMC 8 is a smart and accessible starting point.

Data Facts

AMC 8 Knowledge Modules

Think Academy-AMC 8 Five-Year Topic Distribution Comparison — Think Academy – AMC 8 Five-Year Topic Distribution Comparison

Over the past five years, word problems and geometry have remained consistently high-frequency topics on the AMC 8.

In 2024, statistics were heavily tested — but in 2025, they barely appeared.
In contrast, number theory broke from its usual pattern.

This year, it accounted for five full questions, a sharp increase compared to previous years. For students who only follow school math and haven’t systematically studied number theory, this was especially challenging.

Key Takeaway:

The AMC 8 changes focus each year. That means:

Practicing only the “usual” topics won’t cut it
To score well, students need balanced preparation across all major modules

AMC 8 Participants and Cutoff Scores

Year	Total Participant	DHR(1%)	HR(5%)	Average score
2025	79,524	23	19	11.74
2024	80,725	22	18	10.75
2023	74,380	21	17	10.26
2022		22	19	9.68
2020		21	18	10

To learn more about AMC statistics, click here.

Think Academy Achievements

Think Academy’s AMC 10 Achievements: Each number represents the total students receiving awards per year.

Year	AR	HR	DHR	Perfect Score
2025	359	220	68	25
2024	247	211	77	19
2023	162	147	46	4
2022	87	39	11	1

*updated 05/2025

Think Academy - 2022-2025 AMC 8 Award Winners — Think Academy – 2022-2025 AMC 8 Award Winners

To read more Think Academy students’ achievements on other math competitions:

How Think Academy Helps You Achieve in AMC 8

Access AMC 8 Resources Hub

Post-exam Analysis & Webinars

Think Academy provides detailed trend analyses after each year’s exam, covering topic proportions, difficulty trends, and key insights. Read the articles below to deepen your understanding of AMC 8 changes.

In addition, we usually host post-exam webinars right after the exam to help kids reinforce what they’ve been through and learnt from the latest exam. Check the playback below:

For privacy reasons YouTube needs your permission to be loaded.

About Think Academy

Think Academy, a top math education brand under TAL Education Group, offers specialized training for the prestigious AMC 8 competition. In 2025, 672 Think Academy students earned national awards—65% of them placed on the Achievement, Honor, or Distinguished Honor Rolls. From 2022 to 2025, our results have grown rapidly, setting records in award counts and perfect scores. Backed by expert teachers and a proven curriculum, Think Academy prepares middle schoolers for lasting success in competitive math. Explore our AMC 8 programs and start your child’s winning journey.

Want more insights on math education and parenting tips? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly expert advice and updates on the latest learning tools.

Categories: Math CompetitionsTags: AMC 8, Top Read