American Mathematics Contest (AMC)

Purpose: To challenge and identify mathematically talented students.

Students who have excellent scores as seniors can earn scholarships.

Where:CCHS in the library (AMC—10) and in Mrs. Taylor’s room (AMC—12)

When:Tuesday, February 1, during periods 2 and 3.

(A second AMC-12 will also be given Wed, Feb. 16 for those high-scoring upperclassmen who are pursuing scholarships.)

Cost:$5.00 per exam. Money is due by Friday, January 21.

Make checks payable to CCHS.

What to do:

Sign-up and pay with Mrs. Taylor. There is room for only 20 AMC-10 and 20 AMC-12 students, so don’t wait. Math Club members will be given first preference.

Make sure that you arrange to make up the work in your 2nd and 3rd period classes!

Format:

  • 25 question multiple choice, 75 minutes long
  • Level of difficulty ranges from a few fairly easy questions to extremely difficult.
  • Two levels offered: AMC-12 covers all levels of high school math except Calculus and AMC-10 contains subject matter usually covered in grades 9 and 10.

See sample exam questions on back of this sheet.

Scoring: Six points are given for each correct answer, 2.5 points for each blank answer, and 0 points for each wrong answer. You need a score of 100 out of a possible 150 points to qualify for scholarships. If you answer only 11 questions correctly and leave the rest blank, you score 101.

Calculators and other useful tools:

TI-83 & TI-89 calculators, as well as scientific calculators are permitted. You may also use graph paper, scratch paper, ruler, compass, and protractor. Keep in mind, however, that figures on the test are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Scholarships: Students who score well on the AMC are nationally recognized and those who score 100 or more on the AMC-12 qualify for more advanced competitions and for scholarships* (seniors). Students who are trying for scholarships should take the test every year and practice with old exams. It is very difficult to score 100, but it is a good goal for which to aim! Make it your goal to improve your score each year and learn new mathematical concepts.

*Scholarships offered by Indiana colleges:

BallState ($2000—renewable) must major in math, statistics, or actuarial science

Purdue ($2500—renewable) must major in math

Manchester ($1000—non-renewable) any major

Rose-Hulman (several scholarships totaling $10,000)

Valparaiso ($1000—non-renewable) must major in math