<p>I really want (and need) to get into AIME this year.
I'm a Junior and I'm gonna be taking the AMC 12 this year.</p>
<p>I've taken the AMC 12 my freshman and sophomore years, and I got 87.5 points both times. What's the best way for me to study and improve my score so that I get more than 100 or in the top 5%? I really want to get into AIME this year so that I can put it on my college resume.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Several ways.
<p>Note: This will only help for senior year, because the next class starts in March, the current one ended about a week ago. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>The AoPS Books, namely AoPS Volume I & II. In addition to these, I would recommend the AoPS Geometry, Intermediate Algebra, Precalculus, and Introductory Combinatorics and Introductory Number Theory. These books should get you through the AMC and the AIME as well.</p></li>
<li><p>There are lots of other good problem solving books out there. A book that I use is “Challenging Problems in Geometry” by Posamentier and Salkind. Another very good book is “The Art and Craft of Problem Solving” by Paul Zeitz, but that’s a little advanced for the AMC 12.</p></li>
<li><p>Practice a lot. Use past exams, they can be obtained from many places.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Awesome, thanks! Do you have an idea about how long it’ll take for me to finish one of those books?</p>
<p>The best way to prepare for the AMC 12 is to do problems, available [url=<a href=“http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/resources.php?c=182&cid=44&sid=acfbbd9fd603dad01afba2bbba23d58f]here[/url”>http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/resources.php?c=182&cid=44&sid=acfbbd9fd603dad01afba2bbba23d58f]here[/url</a>].</p>
<p>If you are dead set on buying some book to go through, get [url=<a href=“http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Store/viewitem.php?item=ps:aops1]this[/url”>http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Store/viewitem.php?item=ps:aops1]this[/url</a>].</p>
<p>When solving AMC problems don’t give up and look up the solution until you’ve spent AT LEAST 15 minutes with NO progress. Afterwards, ask yourself how the solution is motivated (how you would have thought of it).</p>
<p>I think that a combination of both would work best. If you have trouble with problems 10-20 on the AMC, then you should buy the book AIME15 suggested. If you have trouble with 18-25, then buy Volume II.</p>
<p>Awesome, thanks a lot!</p>
<p>How hard is the AMC? I’d consider myself a good math student…</p>
<p>what is the AMC or AIME or anything in this thread??</p>
<p>AMC 12 - American Mathematics Competition 12 : A test intended for high-performing math students who have finished the traditional high school curriculum (i.e. through precalculus).
It focuses on solving non-routine problems, and is taken by around 200,000 people a year
(I don’t remember whether that’s both the AMC 10 and the AMC 12 or just the AMC 12).</p>
<p>AIME - American Invitational Mathematics Examination: The top 5% of students on the AMC 12 are invited to take this test, which is very difficult. </p>
<p>USAMO - United States of American Mathematics Olympiad: The top 250 on the AIME are selected to take this. It’s a very very difficult test.</p>
<p>Is this test offered by your school? I never heard of it until very recently, but I’m interested in math so I kind of want to take the AMC 12 this year.
My school doesn’t offer it but the website said there are certain universities that offer the tests for people who don’t have them at their school, so I emailed a couple of the ones on the list in my state. Has anyone done this?</p>
<p>^My school’s Math Club will be offering it.</p>
<p>@Heather (mind if I call you that? :)): I took the AMC10 last year but my school didn’t offer it (going to have to see if they will this year xD)-you just need to find out what schools are offering it, email the coordinator to sign up, usually pay a fee, and then you’re in. :)</p>