The AMC 8 format and rules
Everything about how the contest works: 25 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes, no calculator, scored one point each with no penalty for a wrong answer. Here are the topics it covers, how scoring and awards work, and the rules every student should know before sitting it.
How the paper works
Each question has five answer options, A to E. Exactly one is correct.
A single sitting. That is roughly 90 seconds per question — pacing matters as much as knowing the maths.
One point for a correct answer; zero for a blank or wrong answer. There is no deduction for guessing, so it is always worth attempting every question.
Calculators, smartwatches and other electronic aids are not permitted. The contest tests reasoning, not computation.
Four kinds of thinking
The questions are drawn from middle-school mathematics, but posed to reward insight over routine.
Systematic counting, combinations, and the basics of chance — learning to count without missing or double-counting cases.
Area, perimeter, angles and the Pythagorean theorem, plus spatial visualisation and reading figures.
Factors and multiples, primes, divisibility and remainders — the structure hidden inside the integers.
Proportional reasoning, simple equations and patterns, and translating words into mathematics.
Questions are arranged roughly from easier to harder. The early problems are accessible to most students; the last few are designed to separate the strongest problem-solvers and often reward a single clever observation.
How results are recognised
Scores run from 0 to 25. Recognition is awarded against published lines; the figures below are ASDAN’s 2026 China award lines, confirmed each year after the contest.
| Award | Score (out of 25) |
|---|---|
| Perfect Score | 25 |
| Honor Roll of Distinction | 24 |
| Distinction | 21 |
| Top 10% | 19 |
| Top 25% | 16 |
| Achievement Roll (grade 6 & below) | 15+ |
Schools can also earn an Honor Roll (top three students’ combined score of 66 or above) or a Merit Roll (combined 50–65). For full detail on how awards work across China’s two administrators, see the AMC 8 in China.
What every student should know
The AMC 8 has a small, clear set of rules:
Eligibility. Open to students in grade 8 or below who are under 15.5 years old on the day of the contest. Students enrolled in a school in the United States or Canada may not sit the AMC 8 in mainland China and should enter through their own region.
Once a year. Each student may take the AMC 8 once per year, during the official January window.
No outside help. The contest is taken individually. No calculators, notes, phones or smartwatches are allowed, and the work must be the student’s own.
One answer per question. Mark a single choice for each question; there is no part-marking. Because wrong answers are not penalised, it is always worth answering every question.
Format questions
How long is the AMC 8 and how many questions?
It is a single 40-minute paper with 25 multiple-choice questions, each offering five options (A–E) with exactly one correct answer.
Is there a penalty for a wrong answer?
No. You earn one point for each correct answer and zero for a blank or wrong answer — there is no deduction. So you should always attempt every question, guessing if needed.
Can students use a calculator?
No. Calculators, smartwatches and other electronic aids are not permitted. The questions are designed to be solved by reasoning, not computation.
What topics should a student study?
Counting and probability, number theory, elementary geometry (including the Pythagorean theorem) and beginning algebra, with an emphasis on problem-solving rather than memorisation. Our preparation page sets out a study path.
What score earns an award?
It depends on the year and the administering body. As a guide, ASDAN’s 2026 China lines ran from the Achievement Roll (15+ for grade 6 and below) up to a Perfect Score of 25, with Top 25%, Top 10%, Distinction and Honor Roll of Distinction tiers in between.