Anonymous wrote:DC did well in AMC8, and we are thinking to take AMC10. DC is 7th grade, and achievement roll (like 90 points?) should be more than enough as a first timer.

Taking a look at some past questions, DC should skip the last 5 questions at this time as there should be no enough time.

We are doing AoPS Vol. 1 book, but it seems taking more time than I thought. If we cannot cover entire Vol. 1 book before AMC10, do you recommend focusing on the algebra/number sense/counting & probability sections?

Also, if DC's school does not host AMC10, where can DC take it? The official website indicates Fairfax math circle, AoPS, Alpha STEM, Fairfax HS, etc., but is there any restriction? You need to be a student there, etc.? We don't have a plan on taking AoPS prep class as just doing books has worked well so far.

Thanks in advance.

A little birdie once told me this:

AoPS Vol 1 : AoPS Intro Series :: Cliff's Notes : unabridged version.

DS is in 7th grade and signed up for the AMC 10 this year. He scored an 18 on the AMC 8 last year, which was the cut off for Honor Roll. He is not aiming for AIME but wants to see how he would do on the AMC 10. He is also taking the AMC 8 again, trying to improve on his score. And yes, he is trying out for Mathcounts at his MS.

^Also, back in the day when AMC 8 happened in the fall and AMC 10 in the winter, FCAG invited every ES and MS kid who made the top 5% honor roll on AMC 8 to take AMC 10 with them. So, in their view, kids capable of making it on the AMC 8 honor roll were at the right level to give AMC10 a try.

OP's kid is plausibly in range to make AIME. Unless they get bad scores when mocking old tests, there's no reason that they shouldn't at least try to take AMC 10.

Anonymous wrote:First, if you aren't expecting a 22+ on AMC8, don't bother with AMC10.

You only need 12 correct (0 mistakes) for a 90.

The achievement roll doesn't mean anything; it's not even publicized anymore.

It's a waste of time and hassle if you aren't trying to qualify for AIME (which requires 15 correct), unless you can convince your local school to buy it and run it for 10-20 students.

Mathcounts is a more convenient and fun place for a middle schooler going for a middle score on AMC10.

First PP here. I disagree with the idea of needing a 22+ AMC 8 score to be ready for AMC 10. Instead, a kid should mock old AMC 10 tests (75 minutes, 6 points for a correct answer and 1.5 points for leaving a problem blank), and compare the results with the AIME cutoff for that specific test. The scope of AMC 8 and AMC10 is not the same. The speed is also not the same. Kids who are a little slower, but have a deeper knowledge of math will do better on AMC 10 than AMC 8.

Anonymous wrote:First, if you aren't expecting a 22+ on AMC8, don't bother with AMC10.

You only need 12 correct (0 mistakes) for a 90.

The achievement roll doesn't mean anything; it's not even publicized anymore.

It's a waste of time and hassle if you aren't trying to qualify for AIME (which requires 15 correct), unless you can convince your local school to buy it and run it for 10-20 students.

Mathcounts is a more convenient and fun place for a middle schooler going for a middle score on AMC10.

Not everyone is taking the amc10 in 7th grade to get to the AIME. Some just want to practice. I would say that if a kid is getting 18+ on amc8, they should be trying amc10 just to get used to the difficulty so that in a couple of years, they can get to AIME. To each their own, I guess.

First, if you aren't expecting a 22+ on AMC8, don't bother with AMC10.

You only need 12 correct (0 mistakes) for a 90.

The achievement roll doesn't mean anything; it's not even publicized anymore.

It's a waste of time and hassle if you aren't trying to qualify for AIME (which requires 15 correct), unless you can convince your local school to buy it and run it for 10-20 students.

Mathcounts is a more convenient and fun place for a middle schooler going for a middle score on AMC10.

Thank you! Will do.

Your DC should do the first 10 problems and then choose problems that seem easier in the next 10. Definitely skip the last 5. Your DC can try old tests here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/AMC_10_Problems_and_Solutions
Here are the cutoffs for AIME for each test: https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/AMC_historical_results

I would focus on your DC's weakest sections.

You can contact any test provider listed here to see if your DC can test with them. https://amc-reg.maa.org/amc_external/SchoolSearchByZipCode.aspx
The site might not be updated for the 2024 tests.

DC did well in AMC8, and we are thinking to take AMC10. DC is 7th grade, and achievement roll (like 90 points?) should be more than enough as a first timer.

Taking a look at some past questions, DC should skip the last 5 questions at this time as there should be no enough time.

We are doing AoPS Vol. 1 book, but it seems taking more time than I thought. If we cannot cover entire Vol. 1 book before AMC10, do you recommend focusing on the algebra/number sense/counting & probability sections?

Also, if DC's school does not host AMC10, where can DC take it? The official website indicates Fairfax math circle, AoPS, Alpha STEM, Fairfax HS, etc., but is there any restriction? You need to be a student there, etc.? We don't have a plan on taking AoPS prep class as just doing books has worked well so far.

Thanks in advance.