<p>^ya u need to be able to set up differential equations and solve them (on the level of schroedinger equation and navier-stokes equation)</p>
<p>also, a strong foundation in real and complex analysis is needed. </p>
<p>btw, these are for amc 10. the amc 12 has much more difficult problems. also, don't feel surprised if several problems start going to higher dimensions, and you need to solve for area/volume of hypercubes, etc etc</p>