<p>Are the questions in these two AMCs around the same difficulty? Ones isn't easier or harder than the other, right? I took the one in 2009, and I got a 94.5!! I Want to retake so if I get one more question, I would qualify.</p>
<p>yes they are the same difficulty. theoretically.</p>
<p>Different questions, different dates, same difficulty.</p>
<p>if they are different in difficulty the cutoff scores could be different
but it hasn't been in my past experience
and the AMC12 this year was easy so the cutoff is probably an 100</p>
<p>They are designed to have the same difficulty. Naturally, the writers mess up once in a while and make one harder, which you see manifested in different cutoff scores for the A and B tests. (This happened only once, in 2007; it's more common on the AMC10 and has also happened on the AIME.)</p>
<p>However, any variation in difficulty is completely unpredictable. As I understand it, they write two tests with approximately equal difficulty, then flip a coin to decide which one will be given on which date. (At least, that's how it works with the AIME.)</p>
<p>Like everyone else said, they do their best to make it the same difficulty. I'm sure you could get one more question right if you study enough.</p>
<p>they can vary a little, but the cutoffs adjust in the cases where scores vary. for instance, they could possibly lower the cutoff to 96 during test B. or if you just learn to just answer 14 questions and leave the rest blank, then you should still be fine. gl.</p>
<p>This year the AMC12A turned out to be slightly harder than the AMC12B.</p>
<p>The AIME cutoff for the AMC12A was 97.5
The AIME cutoff for the AMC12B was 100.</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone doing the AIME this week!
(It's spring break for our state, so around here we do the alternate AIME on April 1.)</p>
<p>I have never been involved in any Math competitions exams, because I was home schooled, but now that I'm at public school I joined the math team, and I'm supposed to take the AMC 12 next year.... </p>
<p>Anyways, I was wondering what the best resources are for learning techniques to deal with these types of problems... (preferably free :))</p>
<p>The best way is just to practice problems, and look at solutions to them. A database of old AMC/AIME's are on the Art</a> of Problem Solving. They also have a forum where you can discuss problems and approaches.</p>