<p>S2 doesn’t, but students on the AMC 12A had access to the answer sheet after the test and his classmate estimated his score based on it. At least one other student scored over 120.</p>
<p>I recently learned about the AMC tests and asked my sons’ school to offer it. They were kind enough to register the school (they charged us, mind you) for the 10B and 12B later in February. Since they’ll offer them simultaneously I’m wondering if S2 (10th grade) should sit for AMC 10 or AMC 12. I know that he’d only need to score in the top 5% to advance if he sits for the AMC 12 as opposed to top 1% on AMC 10 but don’t really have a feel for how challenging the test will be. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I have a feeling that it is a bit easier to qualify through AMC 12.</p>
<p>There are old tests on the AMC website and I think also at the Art of Problem Solving website (maybe in the discussion forum?). My class of 2013 D is not interested, so I’m just basing this on memory from class of 2010 D taking it in previous years.</p>
<p>If you want to get serious, the Art of Problem Solving site has short courses that prep for these exams. I think CTY has added some too, although I expect they would be more expensive. We have no prior experience with these, but I’ve heard rave reviews about the Art of Problem Solving courses in general. [Art</a> of Problem Solving](<a href=“http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/]Art”>http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/)</p>
<p>I have to admit, I’ve never heard of AMC. I’m assuming it’s some type of math competition?</p>
<p>It’s the American Math Competition. [MAA</a> American Mathematics Competitions - AMC](<a href=“http://www.unl.edu/amc/]MAA”>http://www.unl.edu/amc/)</p>
<p>If any of you have younger kids, D1 really like Math Olympiads and MathCounts. </p>
<p>I was surprised to learn that many of these math competitions are actually just written exams that are taken at a scheduled time. They are not usually teams or individuals facing off, except for example in parts of the regional and higher level MathCounts competition.</p>
<p>I think they can be fun for kids who are into them. And I’ve heard good things about the summer math camps that kids attend. (I can look it up if anyone is interested.) As I said before, D2 is not interested and I would never consider pushing it.</p>
<p>^^^
And that’s why I’ve never heard of it 
Both D’s manage math well enough, but don’t “love” it, which has been compounded by less than awesome math teachers. </p>
<p>Sounds cool though for kids who love math; I’m going to mention it to my neighbor for her son.</p>
<p>I also hadn’t heard of it but S2 (2012) is talking about applying to MIT and Cal Tech and I was reading a bit on those threads. Those schools actually ask for students’ AMC 12 or AIME scores on their apps (optional). Clearly it’s an opportunity to impress those schools if you manage to score well. If a student scores highly enough on AMC 10/12 they get the opportunity to take the AIME. In general the only way to take these tests is through your child’s school.</p>
<p>If your child would be interested in AMC and other math competitions that are not offered by their school, you might want to see if your child can take the exams at a neighboring school. Alternatively, the paperwork to register a school for the AMC is minimal. Offer to do some of the paperwork if your child’s school will offer it. Better yet, offer to work with one of the math teachers to get a math club going. They can coach the club–offering testing strategies and sample tests and you could do the administrative tasks. You might find out about other great competitions by contacting a neighboring school or looking at the Art of Problem Solving website.</p>
<p>I agree that these competitions would be well worth considering if your child is interested in them and may apply to schools like Caltech or MIT.</p>
<p>If it were me, I might see if my child’s school would offer the exams for the Physics or Chemistry Olympiad too. (tried googling for those sites–not sure if I have the right thing yet).</p>
<p>(I hope I’m not freaking any parents out here–these suggestions are for the kids who would eat this stuff up. My daughter will be in the ballet studio…)</p>
<p>Seems like we are into AMC here :)</p>
<p>The cutoff scores for AIME have just been posted:
AMC 10 A - 118.5
AMC 12 A - 88.5</p>
<p>From what I am reading on AoPS site it was the most difficult AMC to date ;)</p>
<p>In most schools it is the parents that bring those competitions to the school. So if your school does not offer it, get involved. Paperwork is minimal and it all can be done online.</p>
<p>OK, so provided he did not make any bubling mistakes, DS should quaify for AIME.
Can’t wait for the official scores. He is not as optimistic as I am :)</p>
<p>Good luck with all the AMC results everyone; definitely not something that’s going on in my house!</p>
<p>D2 found out this week that she’s in at her first choice summer program. That’s really the only news going on here. Sophomore schedule requests have been turned in. I think the only question still being pondered is whether or not to take the Biology SAT II after taking Biology Honors this year. </p>
<p>She’s started getting some college mail; not a lot. I’m trying to figure out why, since she checked the no mail box on the PSATs. Toss, toss, toss.</p>
<p>I’m going to encourage D2 to opt for no mail when she takes the PSAT in the fall. It really was ridiculous for D1, especially the repeat mailings. Those mailings had no influence on her list of colleges.</p>
<p>Other than finding out which art elective she got into, the sophomore schedule is set. Other than math and foreign language level and choosing one elective, the course selection is pretty much set at her school.</p>
<p>Hi! I have a '13 daughter as well as a '11 son. They’re at different high schools which makes my life a little confusing (oh, and throw in the cute 4th grader in a third school…) LuckyGirl did NOT take the AMC----she’s most definitely not a math person despite good grades in geometry. Now if there were a timed writing competition, she’d be all over that! She is the opposite of her math/science brother.</p>
<p>Since I have the current junior at home, LuckyGirl is exposed to lots of college discussion. LuckyBoy hasn’t started a college list yet LuckyGirl has started one already 
She either wants to (1) go into drama (want fries with that?), (2) become a high school English/writing teacher, (3) work for the FBI or (4) become a psychiatrist (med school). The ranking varies day-to-day. Thank goodness we’ve got a looooong time to go with her!</p>
<p>As above, she didn’t have much choice for next school year. She’s moving ahead in the highest phase classes which means AP US History. She gets only one semester-long elective choice, which will be Acting 2. </p>
<p>Musical tryouts (Fiddler on the Roof) are next week. She was in the fall play and one-acts this month. She’s going to try out for a solo for the experience and for a chance at smaller non-chorus role.</p>
<p>Proud mom moment that won’t last…</p>
<p>I was checking the MidQ report this morning online to see if all her grades were in and peeked at her “unofficial transcript” to see if her GPA had loaded since the end of first semester, and SURPRISE!!! she’s number 1 out 467.</p>
<p>This will not last, but I sure am proud of her! ;)</p>
<p>Klucky: our Freshman D’s sound very similar. Mine is a writer also and is considering either being a teacher or psychologist; guess taking AP Psych junior year might help out with that decision While both my Ds are in the same HS, the state has changed graduation requirements for the Class of 2013, so I feel like I’m learning things all over again :)</p>
<p>Here’s another tip, that I didn’t do for D1 but that I will do for D2: a “college only” email address that she and I can both check on. D1’s email got so clogged up for a while with spam college email; I heard that on another thread & thought it was brilliant.</p>
<p>I too have the artsy/writing 9th grader with the complete math/science senior (also both at different high schools) and a 7th grader. My '13 D loves acting and drama but loves photography more and took it upon herself to talk with the photography teacher and gave him a portfolio to go right into photo II instead of starting at I. I’m really happy she’s found something she is passionate about and talented at and can shape her classes around potential photo based careers whereas for this kid I wasn’t sure what she’d settle on. She certainly could change but she’s feeling much better about her goals and paths now and doesn’t feel as intimitated by her older sister. Doesn’t matter that they are completely different, it’s hard when you have an older sibling who loves to study and work hard and brings home top grades when you just don’t have that same commitment We’ll see, should be a fun ride with this kid :)</p>
<p>I love the idea of a college only email address for her too - I think we’ll do that as well if she agrees. '10 D let me be fully involved, this one ('13) gets her stubbornness and indepent streak from me so we’ll see how that goes! :)</p>
<p>Already started the college only e-mail address!</p>
<p>Using it for academic summer programs for now.</p>
<p>College only e-mail is a big win! Will run it through DS tonight or tomorrow and ask him to set up one. Which do you suggest? G-mail, yahoo or other?</p>
<p>DS made AIME cutoff after all
March is shaping up to be an insane month, but it has been like that for a while in our household. Besides AIME, there are three other math contests that my kids will be participating in, two violin competitions, piano recital, state science fair, a couple of engineering/inventor retreats, and I am sure there are other things that I have simply forgoten about right now. Oh yes, a birthday
Thankfully Christmas is not in March. Here it is to smooth sailing!</p>
<p>Kelowna: we have AT&T as our internet provider & I think we get up to 6 email accounts. Since we only have 4, D will set it up there so we can both check it.</p>
<p>Wow. I am just getting adjusted to have my oldest off at college…and there’s already a group chatting about D2s class? And so it begins…! RobD, I need to do the separate email account as that got cumbersome last time around. Am curious what types of “academic summer programs” your children are thinking about doing?</p>