How to Excel at AMC 10: Reaching AIME and USAJMO

For students who want to achieve top results in the AMC 10, it’s important to go beyond just practicing problems. Scoring high enough to reach AIME—or even qualify for USA(J)MO—requires clear goals, a structured plan, and the ability to perform under pressure. This guide breaks down exactly what students at different levels should focus on, with detailed timelines and actionable strategies to help them reach their full potential.

What Is AMC 10?

Every November, thousands of students across the U.S. take the AMC 10, a national math contest run by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

It’s open to students in Grade 10 or below and covers topics like algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics—but with a much stronger focus on logic and strategic thinking than typical school math.

AMC 10 Exam Format & Scoring

The AMC 10 includes 25 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 75 minutes.

Scoring system:

• Correct: +6 points
• Wrong: 0 points
• Blank: +1.5 points
• Max score: 150

Because skipped questions still earn points, test strategy matters. Many high scorers skip tough problems on purpose—focusing on accuracy, not completion.

AMC 10 Awards and Score Cutoffs

Award	Typical Score	Eligibility	Recognition
AR (Achievement Roll)	~90+	G8 and below only	For top younger students
HR (Honor Roll)	~100–110	G10 and below	Top 5% of all test-takers
AIME Qualification	~100–105	G10 and below	Entry to AIME (next round)
DHR (Distinguished Honor Roll)	~125–135+	No grade limit	Top 1% nationally, USA(J)MO track

Note: Honor Roll and AIME cutoffs are often very close—even identical. So their prep paths are almost the same. DHR requires much higher accuracy and problem-solving depth.

In the following sections, we’ll walk through each major award level and explain:

• What type of student each goal fits
• What to focus on at each stage
• How to build systematic understanding, organize mistakes, and use mock exams effectively

No matter your child’s current level, this guide will provide practical and actionable steps to get ready for AMC 10 in November.

Goal 1: Achievement Roll (AR)

Who is this for?

• Students in Grade 8 or below, who have completed Algebra I and basic Geometry.
• Perfect for students starting their competition journey.

Check our readiness assessment

July–September: Systematic Learning Foundation

These three months are crucial for determining whether a student can reach the AR level. Many students dive into problem sets without real understanding.

What’s more effective? Systematic learning.

True systematic learning means:

• Understanding how common AMC topics are tested and twisted (e.g., absolute value inequalities, modular arithmetic, area constructions)
• Learning how to break down the problem, extract clues, and identify breakthrough points—not just apply formulas blindly
• Practicing the full process: Read → Extract → Structure → Solve → Verify
• Being able to recognize problem types and adapt quickly to similar questions in new forms

Weekly Study Plan Suggestions:

• Focus on 1–2 math modules per week (e.g., basic algebra, geometric constructions, foundational number theory)
• Practice 15–20 representative problems per module
• For each problem, identify the mistake type: knowledge gap, logic error, or misreading
• Create a personalized error log
• End each week with a mixed quiz to find weak spots

October–November: Mock Test Rhythm + High-Frequency Topics

Once you enter October, the focus should shift from “knowing the material” to “performing under test conditions.”

Suggested weekly time investment: at least 10 hours

Weekly structure:

• Take 1–2 full mock exams using real AMC 10 papers from the past 5 years (2019–2024), under timed 75-minute conditions
• After each mock: score immediately and categorize mistakes. Pay attention to which sections or question ranges cause the most issues
• Schedule 2 targeted topic reviews per week onfrequently tested modules, such as sequences & series, divisibility, area/volume constructions, function domains
• Review and reflect on one past error session each week

Score target: 90–100 points; aim for 15+ correct answers consistently

If students can build deep understanding, reflect on errors, and keep up with mock exams, AR is absolutely within reach.

Goal 2: AIME Qualification

Who is this for?

Students in Grade 10 or below are able to consistently solve the first 15–18 AMC 10 problems, and motivated to tackle mid-to-late problems (Q15–Q25)

July–September: Systematic Coverage + Depth Practice

Compared to the AR stage, aiming for AIME means not just mastering the basics, but building the ability to handle AMC 10’s toughest problems in a limited time.

For students in Grade 9–10, exam opportunities are limited—so it’s especially important to finish all topic reviews before October, leaving more time for problem-solving and test rhythm building.

Focus on:

• Completing a structured review of algebra, geometry, number theory, counting, and application-based problems
• Practicing problems in the Q15–Q25 range, especially the harder types (e.g., constructions, functional reasoning, multi-condition logic)
• Working through high-miss-rate problems from past exams and building themed summaries:
  • What’s the breakthrough idea?
  • What habits are needed to avoid traps?

This Q16 problem requires more than just formulas—it involves visual construction, spatial reasoning, and identifying hidden constraints.

A typical example of mid-to-late AMC 10 questions that help predict AIME potential.

October–November: Test Rhythm + High-Frequency Problem Training

Weekly time: at least 10 hours

Weekly structure:

• 1–2 full mock exams
  • Target score: ~110 points
  • Aim to stay ahead of potential score fluctuations
• Train on advanced high-frequency topics (e.g., modular arithmetic, functional equations, sequence backtracking)
• After each session:
  • Reflect on causes of mistakes
  • Set up a personal review and retraining system
• If time allows, introduce AIME Q1–Q5 for early exposure to complex structures

Strong fundamentals + fast thinking + the ability to crack tough problems—that’s the formula for making AIME.

Goal 3: Distinguished Honor Roll (DHR) — [USA(J)MO Track]

Who is this for?

• Students consistently scoring 100+ in AMC 10 mocks
• Have qualified for AIME, typically scoring 6–7

July–October: Reverse Training — Use AIME to Raise AMC 10 Ceiling

To score 135+ in AMC 10, “just doing more AMC problems” won’t cut it.

The most effective path? 👉 Use AIME-level problems to train deeper thinking, then come back to AMC 10 with a higher ceiling and more control.

Weekly plan:

• Focus on AIME Q1–10, practicing:
  • Multi-step reasoning
  • Functional modeling
  • Complex number theory and recurrence patterns

• Train by topic:
  • Constructions, inequalities, recursive sequences, composite models
  • Write at least two methods for each problem
• Every 2 weeks, do 1 AMC 10 mock to test conversion and timing skills

Key: This is not about volume—it’s about depth.

Can the student dissect the problem’s structure and predict possible twists?

November: Intensive AMC Mocks + Precision Refinement

• 2–3 full AMC mock exams per week
  • Target score: 135–150

• After each test:
  • Replay the entire problem-solving process
  • Analyze pacing, accuracy, decision points
• Focus on non-math mistakes: misreading, misjudging time, small slips

At this level, psychological preparation and rhythm control are just as important as math skills.

Secrets of Top Scorers: 3 Training Habits That Make the Difference

From Think Academy coaches and past high scorers, here are three common habits that set successful students apart:

1. Practice isn’t about quantity—it’s about reverse-engineering the thinking

Top students don’t just check answers. For every problem, they ask:

• How did I start solving this?
• Was there a safer or clearer method?

After making a mistake, they don’t just correct it—they analyze why it happened: Was it a knowledge gap? Misjudgment? Did they miss a trap?

2. Mock tests aren’t just for measuring—they’re for discovering your weak spots early

Mocks aren’t just practice—they reveal your habits:

• Which question types cause repeat mistakes?
• Are you rushing at the start or burning time too early?
• How consistent is your pacing over 75 minutes?

Skipping the review = losing your best growth opportunity.

🔗 Try this:

→ Learn from our mock test analysis template

3. Rhythm. Rhythm. Rhythm.

Speed isn’t everything.

• Top scorers train their ability to stay focused for the full 75 minutes.
• It’s not about doing problems fast—it’s about doing them right and reliably.
• The goal is to get every question right that you should be getting right.

🔗 Try this:

→ Train your 75‑minute focus routine

📌 If you train with purpose, reflect deeply, and build your rhythm day by day—you’ll be ready to write your own winning performance on AMC test day.

To access more free AMC 10 prep resources,

About Think Academy

At Think Academy, a subsidiary of TAL Education Group, we specialize in advanced coaching and rigorous preparation for math competitions, including AMC 10 and AIME. Guided by experienced educators and supported by partnerships with renowned institutions, Think Academy empowers high-school students to reach their full competitive potential in mathematics. Notably, in 2024, our students achieved exceptional recognition, including selections for prestigious programs such as USA(J)MO (17 students), the Mathematical Olympiad Program (3 students), and the International Mathematical Olympiad teams for the U.S. and South Africa. Explore our AMC 10 training programs to help your child excel.

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