Exam Date: Once a year in January, in a single 40-minute window (next: the January 2027 season)Registration Deadline: Shortly before the contest each year (China region)Eligibility: Students in grade 8 or below, and not exceeding 15.5 years of age on the day of the exam.Exam Format: 25 multiple-choice questions. Total score: 25 points (1 point for each correct answer, no deduction for incorrect answers).Exam Language: Bilingual (Chinese-English) test papers.
II. Detailed Registration Process
The AMC8 does not accept direct individual registration. Applications must be submitted through one of the following three channels:School Group Registration: Applicable to students from official partner test centers (typically international schools or key secondary schools). Registration is organized centrally by the school.ASDAN Platform Registration: Search for the “ASDAN International STEM Assessment” mini-program on WeChat → Register an account → Search for “AMC8” → Fill in the required information → Upload ID card or passport → Pay the registration fee of 120 RMB.Institutional Proxy Registration: Suitable for students from non-partner schools. Students must submit materials (including ID number, grade certificate, etc.) through officially authorized agencies.Registration Notes:Each mobile phone number can only be used to register one student.A recent (within 6 months) 1-inch bareheaded ID photo on a white background must be uploaded.Once the registration deadline has passed, no refunds will be issued.
The AMC8 is offered both online (home-based) and in-person (on-campus)! (No course bundles or hidden costs – choose online or offline test location as needed) We are an official authorized test center. Scan the code to receive the registration form and get free proxy registration. *Offline test centers: Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.
III. Syllabus and Key Points Analysis
The AMC8 syllabus covers four major modules, with the following approximate proportions and key points:AMC8 Syllabus and Key Points
Knowledge Module
Percentage
Key Points
Algebra & Probability
40%–45%
Quadratic function modeling, integration of probability and statistics with real-world scenarios (e.g., promotion and pricing models), ratio and fraction calculations, equations, and word problems.
Geometry
25%–30%
Analysis of 3D nets, problems applying the Pythagorean theorem to real-world contexts, emphasis on calculating irregular shapes.
Number Theory & Combinatorics
20%–25%
Prime factorization, use of short division to quickly find LCM and GCD, geometric sequence summation, and permutation and combination problems with constraints.
Scoring Rules:The AMC 8 is entirely multiple-choice. You earn 1 point for each correct answer and 0 points for a wrong or blank answer, for a maximum of 25 points. There is no penalty for wrong answers, no partial or “process” credit, and no deduction for working, units, or rounding — only the multiple-choice answer you select is scored. Because there is no penalty, you should answer every question, guessing if necessary.
IV. Difficulty Gradient Distribution
The difficulty of AMC8 questions shows a clear gradient. Reasonable time allocation is crucial:AMC8 Difficulty Gradient Distribution
Question Range
Difficulty Level
Characteristics
Recommended Time Allocation
Questions 1–10
Basic
Covers grades 3-4 school knowledge; requires quick and accurate completion.
8–10 minutes
Questions 11–15
Intermediate
Involves extended knowledge from grades 6-8, such as sequences, permutations, and combinations.
5–7 minutes
Questions 16–20
High Difficulty .=Advanced school-level content, reaching the level of basic Olympiad math; this is the key differentiator.
8–10 minutes
Questions 21–25
Very High Difficulty .=Determines the top 1% ranking, reaching the level of advanced Olympiad math; typically involves the integration of multiple knowledge points.
7–10 minutes
Reference Score Cutoffs for Awards (based on past years):Perfect Score Award: 25 pointsDistinguished Honor Roll (Top 1%): 21–23 pointsHonor Roll (Top 5%): 17–19 pointsAchievement Roll (Grade 6 or below): 15 points or above
V. High-Score Sprint Preparation Strategies
Phase 1: Foundation Consolidation (2–3 months before the exam)
Systematically review the basic concepts of the four major modules: Algebra, Geometry, Number Theory, and Combinatorics.Daily 15–20 minute timed calculation exercises to master mental math techniques.Practice with questions 1–15 from past papers to become familiar with question types.
Phase 2: Skill Enhancement (1 month before the exam)
Practice by module, focusing on high-frequency topics and weak areas.Train on questions 11–20, trying multiple methods for each problem.Maintain a mistake notebook, note the causes of errors, and review regularly.
Phase 3: Sprint Stage (2–3 weeks before the exam)
Conduct 2–3 full-length mock exams per week, strictly timed to 40 minutes.Time allocation target: 8 minutes for questions 1–10 (aim for 100% correct), 15 minutes for questions 11–20, 12 minutes for questions 21–25.
Free AMC8 study materials are available! Scan the QR code to download a comprehensive collection of past papers, detailed answer analyses, and formula sheets.
AMC8 Preparation Courses
Our instructors are graduates from top global universities. With precise curriculum planning and comprehensive learning tracking, we ensure your score improvement and award-winning success!
