<p>I really want to do well in the AMC 10 in the future, so to prepare, I was thinking about the AoPS book. Has anyone used this book? How is this book structured? I haven't ever taken the AMC 10, so is the AoPS book too advanced, that is, should I get a beginniners book? Also, how has this book improven scores? I really want a book with tons of practice problems and explanations with the answers. Is AoPS the right book? If there are other books or CLASSES that teach AMC 10 test prep, please feel free to write about it.:)</p>
<p>The AoPS books are definitely worth it. I have the books. The thing is, you have to do the problems inside. You will get discouraged. You will get bored. But you have to do the problems to see improvement.</p>
<p>Thank’s for your review! Are there different AoPS books for different AMC exams? I’m asking because my main focus is on AMC 10. Also, are there solutions in the AoPS books?</p>
<p>the books come with a solutions manual. they all have great detailed answers</p>
<p>Yeah the books are great on their own, but if you can afford it you can take the accompanying AMC 10 class as well which helps if you need that extra push to do more problems since it leads you through the essentials of the text. There’s also an AMC 12 book afterwords, you probably know that already.</p>
<p>If you just want one of their books, I’d get AoPS Volume II. It has a solutions guide with explanations to all the problems, and it covers almost everything you need to know to do well on the AMC and AIME tests. (I’m not as familiar with Volume I, but I think it’s more geared towards MATHCOUNTS-type problems.) I spent most of the summer before my junior year working through that book, and my ability to solve competition problems jumped up rapidly. It’s well written and has a wide range of problem difficulties. The AoPS website also has online classes in a variety of subjects, including prep specifically for the AMC 10.</p>
<p>Before we can help you decide how much value the books will be to you, we need to understand your prior knowledge, your future goals, and the dedication/meaning that this work will have for you. This will decide how much of an impact AOPS will have on you. From what you have said, I would say that you are at the level of the intro series or volume 1, both of which will help you greatly. Anything beyond this (e.g. volume 2) may be beyond your current level.
My personal belief is that AOPS volume 1 and 2 are simply excuses for the Intro and Intermediate Series respectively. The intro to geometry, number theory, counting and probability, and algebra are more than sufficient to pass the AMC10, and may even allow you to scrape a score on the AIME that isn’t completely meaningless (i.e. 2-5). Moreover, the intro series gives you a true understanding of the foundation of competition math, which is essential to possibly many of your future mathematical endeavors.<br>
With that in mind, Volume 1 is less work and will give you the same “overall” impression (aside from the possible gaping flaws in your new understanding due to a limited amount of material studied), thereby allowing you to achieve a respectable AMC10 score. Nonetheless, the true experience will result from studying the entire intro series (or only the subjects you’re weak in). Either way, AOPS will dramatically impact your AMC10 score and I highly recommend studying them.</p>
<p>Hey can someone tell me if this helps with mu alpha theta competitions? Calculus specifically? If so which volume(s) should I get?</p>
<p>AoPS Volume II has a bunch of Mu Alpha Theta problems, but it doesn’t cover any calculus. However, there is an AoPS Calculus book, which I personally thought was very good, so you could get that one.</p>
<p>Okay. So, based on these above posts, I think I should buy the Volume 1 book! Do you guys know of any face-to-face classes for AMC 10? Also, can someone explain to me the process in which someone can take the AMC 10 and move on to AMC 12 and even AIME? Thanks for all the responses!!:)</p>
<p>^
Here is the typical route of all AMC competitions:</p>
<p>AMC8 - probably not applicable to you, since it is a contest for 8 graders and below.</p>
<p>AMC10/12 - the AMC10 is exclusively for sophomores and below, while the AMC12 is for all seniors and below. Note that they are both 75 minutes, 25 multiple choice contests. While they share some problems (word for word), the AMC12 is harder. The grading scheme for both of them is the same: 6 points for a right answer, 1.5 points for a blank response, and 0 points for an incorrect answer. Thus, the maximum score on either of them is a 150. Everyone is eligible for these exams, and one must simply sign up to take one.</p>
<p>AIME - students who placed in the top 2.5% of all AMC10 takers and/or scored above a 120 on the AMC10 take this, as well as students who placed in the top 5% of all AMC12 takers and/or scored above a 100 on the AMC12. It is a hard, 3 hour, 15 question exam that awards 1 point for a correct answer, and no points for an incorrect answer.</p>
<p>Beyond this, students who have a sufficient index (a student’s index is their AMC10/12 score + 10*(AIME score)) take the USAJMO or USAMO depending on whether they took the AMC10 or AMC12 respectively. Approximately 250 students are taken for each of them, so this feat is what most kids aim for. Of course, the students who have extraordinary ability can go onto MOP and IMO if they demonstrate sufficient knowledge on either the USAJMO or USAMO. If you care to know what these are and how one qualifies them, just ask.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your input!! I definetely have a better understand of the AMC exams!!! Also, is the solutions book seperate from the actual book itself? I’m trying to buy the books on Amazon and it shows that the books are seperate…</p>
<p>Yes, they are separate. If you bundle them off the AoPS website, you can get a discount.</p>
<p>Okay. Thanks for the tip!!!</p>