Every year, the MAA (Mathematics Association of America) hosts two tests called the AMC 10 and AMC 12. There are two parts: the “A” and “B.” The AMC 10A and AMC 12B were administered on November 5, 2025. The “B” tests were administered a week later. These tests are designed to challenge students in their math that expands outside of the classroom.

AMC tests consists of 25 questions, and a student is awarded 6 points for a correct answer, 1.5 points for a blank answer, and 0 points for an incorrect answer, with a maximum score of 150. They are notorious for being extremely difficult, with recent years having some of the hardest questions yet. While they do not demand far more conceptual knowledge than a traditional math test, they require significantly more depth and application to solve a question. The AMC 10 can be taken by students from grades 10 and below; similarly, the AMC 12 can be taken by students from grades 12 and below. If students do well on either test, they will be invited to participate in another test called the AIME, or the American Invitation Mathematics Examination. The top scorers in this exam will move on to participate in the USAMO, or the USA Math Olympiad. 

The general consensus among students was that this year’s AMC tests were extremely difficult. Sam Yu ’29 reported that tests from the early 2000s were “evidently easier than the one [he] took today.” He continued, “The problems will continuously get harder as each generation gets brighter.” William Tan ‘29 agreed with Yu’s sentiment, saying that, “it was tough and it will only get tougher.”

One of the key statistics in these tests is the AIME qualifier: the score threshold needed to be invited to take the AIME. There has been a notable decline over the years in this statistic, going from a score of 120 to as low as 94.5 in 2024. The difference between a score of 120 and 94.5 is approximately 6 questions, which is significant in a 25 question exam. Yu predicted that the AIME floor this year would be “in the usual range of 90-105.” The way MAA decides this score is by taking the top 2.5% of scorers. However, there have been many cheating scandals in recent years, forcing MAA to increase that number to 7% in order to make it fair for students that deserve it. 

In 2023, the AMC 10/12 tests were leaked from teachers and administrators in China, which ultimately disqualified the test as a whole. But have the cheating issues been solved after two years? Yu believes that “the MAA has done a good job on resolving cheating issues.”

The MAA’s efforts are clear, having established more rules that prevented cheating. AoPS, the leading organization in the preparation for AMC exams, was forced to close their forums this year in order to prevent any cheating on the day of the test. In addition, the MAA is delaying official scores to thoroughly check any suspicious scores or possible cheating.

As students await their results, it’s important to remember why they took it. For many students, these tests are not simply for bragging rights or making a college application look more attractive, but are to show improvement within one’s math ability and to serve as motivation to continue growing.