<p>hello, i am a junior that would like to face a mathmatical challenge, and many people say AMC (American Math Competition) is the best thing to try out. But, what exactly is it?? Are you supposed to go to a testing facility or is it school sponsered? Will precalc be enough prep for success?? thanks.</p>
<p>It is usually school sponsored, but you can sign up for it elsewhere (at SAT prep centers or math circles etc). </p>
<p>AMC questions are usually not “standard” math. Try taking a practice AMC and see how you do.</p>
<p>AMC -> AIME -> USAMO (~500 students can take this) -> MOSP (~25-50)-> IMO (top 6 math students in the nation go on to compete internationally).</p>
<p>Very prestigious if you can get that far. I doubt I can even get to AIME, but it’s fun to take and it’s school sponsored for me.</p>
<p>^ very good answer but i would like to add a little more</p>
<p>You honestly don’t need any prep class to prepare for it. I’ve been doing it for the past two years and I hardly found any problem that requires pre-cal knowledge. The most effective way to prepare, in my experience, is to do problems, lots and lots of them. And then learn from the experience, find the patterns, etc.
I’m a junior in high school as well and I’ve made it to AIME for both of freshmen and sophomore year, but nothing further(kinda not deserving my screen name haha). I wish just to make the USAMO this year. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>thanks! i had the same question</p>
<p>thanks for the responses, but how would i go about registering for it; should i talk to my school counselor or register online?</p>
<p>^ your school’s director of math department should be in charge of all math competitions</p>
<p>If your school won’t register for it, you can take it as a homeschooled student. The proctor restrictions are pretty strict and you’ll have to pay the full testing cost. Sometimes if there’s a Math Circle in your area, then the Math Circle will offer the test.</p>
<p>Alternatively, some universities off the test on the “B” date. There’s a list on the AMC site.</p>
<p>You could always ask on your state forum on Art of Problem Solving.</p>
<p>No AMC problems require Calculus (so pre-calc should be fine). The exams currently don’t allow calculators. The problems include more number theory, counting, and probability than is typically found in school curriculum. Art of Problem Solving has good textbooks in those topics if you decide to prepare more for next year (this year’s tests are coming up quickly).</p>
<p>thanks, are there any prep books out there for AMC?? or are you supposed to “go into it cold”</p>