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Adding up the top math competitions for students in 2025-26

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 20:57 GMT by WSB-TV
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Top Math Competitions for Students in the 2025‑26 School Year – What You Need to Know

If you’re a high school math enthusiast in the United States, the 2025‑26 academic year is shaping up to be a golden opportunity to prove your problem‑solving chops on a national and international stage. From elementary‑level contests to the most elite university‑level challenges, the lineup of competitions is packed with well‑structured events that test creativity, analytical thinking, and perseverance. Below is a comprehensive rundown of the most prestigious math contests students can aim for during the 2025‑26 year, how to prepare for them, and why they matter.

1. The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) Series

AMC 8

• Audience: Middle‑school students (grades 8 and below).
• Format: 25 multiple‑choice questions, 40 minutes, 100 points.
• Dates: Fall 2025 (typically mid‑September) and Spring 2026 (early March).
• Why it matters: The AMC 8 is the launchpad for young mathletes. Strong performance can earn a spot on the Math Olympiad Program (MOP), a crucial stepping stone toward national honors.

AMC 10/12

• Audience: High‑school students (AMC 10 for grades 10 and 11, AMC 12 for grades 12 and below).
• Format: 25 multiple‑choice questions, 75 minutes, 200 points.
• Dates: Fall 2025 and Spring 2026, mirroring the AMC 8 schedule.
• Qualification: Top 25‑30% of scorers advance to the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME).

2. The American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME)

• Audience: Students who scored highly on AMC 10 or AMC 12.
• Format: 15 problems, 3‑point integer answer format, 60 minutes.
• Dates: Usually mid‑December for the 2025‑26 cycle, with the next round in March 2026.
• Advancement: Top 200 scorers on the AIME are invited to the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO).

3. USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) and American Invitational Mathematical Olympiad (AIME)

USAMO

• Audience: Top 50–70 AIME scorers.
• Format: 4 paper, 2‑hour test per paper, 20 problems total, 200 points.
• Dates: January/February 2026.
• Outcome: The best USAMO participants are selected for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) team.

American Invitational Mathematical Olympiad (AIME)

• Audience: Top performers from the AMC series.
• Format: 15 problems, 3‑point integer answers.
• Dates: December 2025 and March 2026.
• Role: Acts as a filtering mechanism for USAMO qualification.

4. International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)

• Audience: The world’s top high‑school mathematicians.
• Format: 6 problems, 4.5 hours each day, 200 total points.
• Dates: July 2026 (in the host city chosen by the International Mathematical Olympiad Foundation).
• How to get there: After excelling on the USAMO, students are invited to a national training camp where finalists are chosen.

5. The Math Olympiad Program (MOP)

• Audience: Successful AMC 8 participants.
• Format: 8‑day training camp (summer 2025, or summer 2026 if you missed the first year).
• Goal: To prepare students for higher‑level contests like the AIME and USAMO.

6. State‑Level and Regional Competitions

• Examples:
  • Alaska Mathematics Olympiad (AMO)
  • Texas Mathematics Olympiad (TMO)
  • New York Math Olympiad (NYMO)
• Why they matter: State contests often offer scholarships and recognition that can boost college applications.

7. The Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) Community and Resources

• Website: https://artofproblemsolving.com
• What it offers: Online courses, an active forum, and problem‑solving contests that mirror AMC and AIME formats.
• Why use it: AoPS is the go‑to platform for serious math students, providing a wealth of past problems and step‑by‑step solutions.

8. National and International Competitions Beyond the US

• Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge (COMC)
• European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO)
• Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad (APMO)
• Global Math Olympiad (GMO)
• Why consider them? These contests often have overlapping problems or a similar style to the AMC/AIME, giving students additional practice and exposure to international peers.

9. Preparing Effectively

1. Start Early: Even if you only plan to enter the AMC 8, begin practicing algebra, geometry, combinatorics, and number theory by the end of the school year.
2. Use Past Papers: The official AMC website (https://artofproblemsolving.com/contests/amc) hosts PDFs of all previous contests. Solving these under timed conditions is the best rehearsal.
3. Join Math Clubs: Many high schools have math clubs that meet weekly to work through problems. If your school lacks one, start your own.
4. Online Practice Platforms: AoPS, Khan Academy, and the Brilliant platform all offer targeted practice problems that can boost specific skills.
5. Mock Exams: Simulate the test environment with a 40‑minute AMC 8 or a 75‑minute AMC 10/12 mock exam. Review mistakes in depth.

10. Why These Competitions Matter

• Academic Credibility: Success in national competitions is a testament to a student’s analytical abilities and intellectual curiosity—qualities that universities value.
• Scholarship Opportunities: Many universities, especially in STEM fields, award scholarships to top math competitors. The National Merit Scholarship often considers math contest scores.
• Personal Growth: Problem‑solving under pressure builds resilience, critical thinking, and perseverance—skills that extend beyond mathematics.
• Networking: Competitions provide a platform for students to meet like‑minded peers, mentors, and professors who can guide future academic endeavors.

11. Key Dates for the 2025‑26 Cycle

(These dates are provisional and should be confirmed on the official competition websites.)

12. Where to Find More Information

• AMC Official Site: https://artofproblemsolving.com/contests/amc
• AoPS Community: https://artofproblemsolving.com/community
• USAMO Registration: https://www.maa.org/association/maa/USAMO
• IMO Calendar: https://www.imo-official.org/calendar.aspx
• State‑Specific Links: Search “ math olympiad” (e.g., “California Math Olympiad”)

Bottom Line

The 2025‑26 math competition calendar is rich with opportunities for students who crave intellectual challenge. Whether you’re just starting with the AMC 8 or aiming for the pinnacle of the International Mathematical Olympiad, each contest offers a unique learning curve and the chance to showcase your skills to a broader academic community. By engaging early, practicing diligently, and leveraging the plethora of online resources, you can turn the math competition season into a springboard for future academic success. Happy problem‑solving!