The 2026 AMC8 Math Competition Is About to Begin! Competition Date? Syllabus? Pre-Exam Preparations? High-Score Sprint Strategies? With Past Years' Real Questions

The 2026 AMC8 American Mathematics Competition is about to kick off! For participating students and parents, understanding the competition details and making a final sprint are crucial. This article will comprehensively analyze all the information about the 2026 AMC8 to help candidates face the challenge in the best possible state.

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I. Countdown to the Competition: Key Dates and Basic Arrangements

The 2026 AMC8 will be held on Friday, January 23, from 17:00 to 17:40, with a total exam duration of 40 minutes. Registration closed on January 13. Results are expected to be announced in late February, and certificates will be issued starting in March.

AMC8 is a mathematics competition open to students in Grade 8 (second year of middle school) or below, who must be under 14.5 years old on the competition day.

The exam uses a bilingual Chinese-English paper, with questions presented in English accompanied by Chinese translations, ensuring that language does not become a barrier to solving problems.

Overview of Basic Information for the 2026 AMC8

Item	Details
Exam Date	Friday, January 23, 2026
Exam Time	17:00–17:40 (40 minutes total)
Exam Format	Individual participation; online and offline options available
Question Type	25 multiple-choice questions
Scoring Rule	1 point for each correct answer; no penalty for incorrect answers; maximum score of 25
Eligibility	Grade 8 or below, and under 14.5 years old

II. Exam Format and Rules

The 2026 AMC8 will adopt a dual-mode of "online exams" and "offline test centers." Students choosing the online exam need to make technical preparations in advance:

Device Requirements

Prepare a computer with Windows (Win7 or above recommended) or macOS (10.15.7 or above) and a webcam.

A mobile phone is required as a proctoring device, placed 0.5–1 meter behind the computer at a height of 1.2–1.5 meters, ensuring full visibility of the student’s upper body, hands, and the computer screen.

Software Configuration

Install the latest version of Google Chrome on the computer.

The mobile phone must have Tencent Meeting installed, with audio and video functions enabled.

Exam Environment

Choose a quiet and independent space.

Only blank scratch paper, a ruler, an eraser, and other basic stationery are allowed on the desk. Calculators, smartwatches, protractors, and other tools are strictly prohibited.

The online exam simulation system will be available from January 18 to 23. It is recommended that candidates complete a mock exam in advance to test the stability of their equipment and network.

III. In-Depth Analysis of the 2026 Syllabus

The 2026 AMC8 has made significant adjustments to its syllabus, with greater emphasis on interdisciplinary applications and advanced logical reasoning abilities.

Distribution and Changes of Knowledge Modules in the 2026 AMC8 Syllabus

Knowledge Module	Proportion	New and Adjusted Content
Algebra and Probability	40%–45%	Strengthened integration of probability and statistical data with real-life scenarios (e.g., supermarket promotion models); quadratic function modeling (e.g., carbon emission optimization)
Geometry	25%–30%	Added dynamic analysis of 3D unfoldings; questions combining the Pythagorean theorem with architectural structural stability; enhanced calculation of areas of irregular shapes
Number Theory and Combinatorics	20%–25%	Increased difficulty in prime factorization and integer properties; mastery of short division for quickly solving LCM (Least Common Multiple) and GCD (Greatest Common Divisor) is required; new innovative topics such as the sum of geometric sequences

In terms of knowledge coverage, the AMC8 includes all elementary school mathematics knowledge and parts of junior high school mathematics knowledge (Grades 7–8), including but not limited to integers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, number theory, geometry, probability, and statistics.

IV. Comprehensive Pre-Exam Preparation Guide

Preparations in the final days before the exam are crucial. A reasonable schedule can help candidates perform at their best.

For students taking the online exam: Log in to the online system at least 30 minutes before the exam. Before the official start, there will be identity verification and announcement of exam rules. No entry is allowed 15 minutes after the exam begins.

Pre-Exam Items to Prepare

Identification documents (admission ticket/ID card)

Blank scratch paper (it is recommended to prepare several sheets)

Basic stationery such as pencils, erasers, and rulers

Drinking water (avoid excessive consumption)

Sprint Strategies for Candidates with Different Foundations

Zero-based or weak-foundation candidates: Focus on reviewing high-frequency test points, such as basic arithmetic, number theory fundamentals, and simple geometric applications, to ensure high accuracy in the first 15 questions.

Candidates with a solid foundation: Conduct targeted breakthroughs in weak modules and focus on practicing difficult content such as number theory and combinatorics.

Experienced competition participants: Conduct in-depth research on the final challenging questions, master advanced techniques such as modular arithmetic and counting principles, and practice the ability to solve a single problem through multiple methods.

Adjusting the schedule on the day before the exam is also important. Ensure adequate sleep to avoid overfatigue. On the exam day, maintain a light diet and avoid greasy food.

V. High-Score Sprint Techniques and Answering Strategies

Time management is the key to achieving a high score in the AMC8. With 40 minutes to complete 25 questions, candidates have only about 1.6 minutes per question on average, so reasonable time allocation is essential.

Golden Time Allocation Rule

Questions 1–15 (Basic Questions): Complete within 15–20 minutes. These questions usually directly test basic concepts, so high accuracy is a must.

Questions 16–22 (Intermediate Questions): Proceed steadily, as multi-step solutions may be required. If a question cannot be solved within 2 minutes, mark it and skip it temporarily.

Questions 23–25 (Challenging Questions): Reserve sufficient time, but do not dwell on a single question. If you have no idea how to solve a problem, make a bold guess.

Efficient Problem-Solving Techniques

Special Value Substitution Method: When encountering questions involving abstract relationships, substitute simple values to concretize the abstract relationships.

Elimination Method: Use conditions such as parity and value ranges to eliminate obviously incorrect options.

Geometric Recomposition Method: Decompose complex figures into regular shapes and find proportional relationships through recombination.

Guessing Strategy

Since the AMC8 does not penalize incorrect answers, no question should be left blank. Even if you have no idea how to solve a problem, choose an answer randomly. If you can eliminate 1 incorrect option, the correct rate increases from 20% to 25%; eliminating 2 options raises it to 33%.

In the sprint stage, focus on real exam questions, carefully study the past five years' papers, and compile a personal "list of error-prone points." On the exam day, maintain a calm mindset and do not panic when facing difficult questions. Remember that the AMC8 is designed to be challenging, and students around the world face the same test.

Scan the QR code to join the exclusive AMC8 study community, where you’ll find a wealth of preparation materials and trial courses waiting for you to explore!

Students preparing for the competition can download for free:

• 2000–2025 AMC8 real exam questions in both Chinese and English

• Detailed explanations

• Formula sheets

• Vocabulary lists

• Recommended preparation books

• Lecture notes and more

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