This page provides detailed information about AIME eligibility, exam structure, paths to qualify for AIME, and the relationship between AMC, AIME, and USA(J)MO qualifications.
I. AIME Eligibility
To qualify for AIME, students must achieve the cutoff scores in AMC 10 or AMC 12:
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AMC 10A/10B: Top 2.5% of scorers are eligible
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AMC 12A/12B: Top 5% of scorers are eligible
AIME consists of two competitions, AIME I and AIME II, with different problems of similar difficulty. Qualified students may choose to participate in either AIME I or AIME II, but cannot participate in both.
Note for international students: Only AIME II is available for students outside the U.S.; AIME I is not open to international participants.
Registration:
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AIME is an invitation-only competition.
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Invited students receive an official email and simply need to confirm participation within the specified timeframe.
II. AIME Exam Structure
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Dates: Two exam dates are offered annually (AIME I and AIME II). Students may participate in only one per year.
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Format: Individual exam, 15 problems, 3 hours (180 minutes)
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Language: Bilingual (English and Chinese)
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Problem Type: Fill-in-the-blank; each answer is a three-digit integer (000–999)
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Scoring: Full score 15; 1 point per correct answer, 0 points for blank answers, no penalty for incorrect answers
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Calculator: Not allowed
III. How can students qualify for AIME?
1. Via AMC 10/12 Performance
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Students reaching the AIME cutoff score in AMC 10 or AMC 12 are invited to participate in AIME.
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This demonstrates placement in the top 2.5–5% and indicates exceptional mathematical potential.
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Strong performance in AIME can lead to USAJMO or USAMO participation.
Qualification Formula:
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USAMO Index Score: AMC 12 Score + 10 × AIME Score
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USAJMO Index Score: AMC 10 Score + 10 × AIME Score
Excelling at AIME is widely recognized as a key milestone for top-tier university applications.
2. Via USAMTS Performance
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The United States of America Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS) is another path to AIME.
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Only students with U.S. citizenship or a U.S. address can participate.
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Students in the top 5% of USAMTS may receive an AIME invitation.
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Some international students achieve AIME eligibility through USAMTS instead of AMC.
IV. AMC, AIME, and USA(J)MO Qualification Relationships
| AMC Score | Expected AIME Score | AMC Score | Expected AIME Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| <100 | <4 | <100 | <4 |
| 100–110 | 4–5 | 100–110 | 4–5 |
| 110–120 | 5–6 | 110–120 | 5–6 |
| 120–130 | 5–6 | 120–130 | 6–7 |
| 130–140 | 7–8 | 130–140 | 7–8 |
| 140–150 | 7+ | 140–150 | — |
Key points:
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For many students, qualifying for AIME and performing well is a major goal.
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For others, AIME is a stepping stone toward USAJMO or USAMO and selection for the U.S. International Math Team.
USA(J)MO Thresholds:
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Minimum for qualification: Correctly answer 8–9 AIME problems
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USAJMO Index Score: AMC 10 Score + 20 × AIME Score
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USAMO Index Score: AMC 12 Score + 20 × AIME Score
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Cutoff scores vary yearly; typically range from 210–230.
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Students taking multiple exams only need one qualifying index score to participate.
From a competitive perspective:
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7+ points on AIME is considered competitive
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Top math summer programs (e.g., Ross, SUMaC) typically require around 9 points
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