The AMC 8 is intended to be students’ first crack at higher-level problem solving, but the difficulty of the test and the novelty of some of its subject matter can be imposing even for students who do well in their math classes.
To get the most out of the AMC 8, students should consider preparing ahead of time: taking practice tests, studying extra material, and even taking an online course are all great ways of ensuring students learn lasting skills from the AMC 8.
What topics to study?
The AMC 8 mostly covers standard middle school math topics like proportional reasoning, elementary geometry, algebra, and interpreting data. However, it also emphasizes combinatorics, probability, logic, and number theory, which many students will have only experienced tangentially.
Students may find that easier combinatorics and probability questions—like rearranging the letters in a four-letter word—are solvable through brute-force methods. However, students will have an easier time with these questions if they learn about concepts like permutations, combinations, and conditional probability.
Similarly, the AMC 8 often has number theory questions involving divisibility and whether numbers are prime. Learning about prime factorization and modular arithmetic will give students a more robust toolset for attacking harder versions of these questions.
When to study, and how much?
While students can use a strong AMC 8 score for admissions into summer programs and extracurriculars, students shouldn’t stress about their AMC 8 score the same way they would about say, the ACT or SAT. As opposed to entrance exams, there’s no downside to taking the AMC 8 as long as the student enjoys the process.
That said, a handful of practice tests and a few hours of studying can make a real difference. For younger students, it’s worth considering making math competition prep a part of their weekly study schedule: there are other national, state, and regional math competitions besides the AMC, and the problem-solving skills that math competitions develop are useful for students interested in coding or other STEM fields.
Past tests
The AMC 8 has had more or less the same subject matter since 1999, and a full database of past tests—including answers and explanations—is available here.
To maximize the value of practice tests, students should review their tests afterward, including questions they answered correctly. Questions students missed are motivating, but it’s often easier to appreciate alternate solutions for questions that students already understand.
Books and online resources
The Art of Problem Solving books are the most popular introduction to the material included in the AMC 8 and other math competitions, and their website also serves as the biggest forum for students interested in math competitions.
As the AMC 8 has become more popular, so has video content about the test: for any given question, students are likely to be able to find a video explanation on YouTube.
Our classes
Lastly, Tampa Bay Test Prep offers several different classes on Outschool for students interested in preparing for the AMC 8.
Our primary curriculum consists of small group classes where students attempt AMC 8 problems and then have a teacher walk them through different solutions. We also provide individual lessons ranging from 30 to 60 minutes for students who want more individualized help.
