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Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC): Comprehensive Analysis and Insights

In recent years, with the rising popularity of international mathematics competitions, the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) has become one of the most influential mathematics contests for primary and secondary students worldwide. Each year, it attracts students from over 30 countries, with more than 16 million participants globally. In China, the number of AMC participants has increased by over 40% annually for five consecutive years. Despite its popularity, many parents and students still have questions:

  • What is the Australian AMC?

  • When is registration open?

  • How valuable are past AMC problems?

  • How prestigious is the AMC?

  • How difficult is the AMC?

  • How does AMC compare to other competitions?

This article provides a detailed breakdown of the AMC in terms of basic information, difficulty analysis, and the value of past problems. It also includes a collection of past AMC papers and training course recommendations to help students prepare effectively.

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01 What is the Australian AMC?

  • Language: Bilingual (Chinese and English)

  • Difficulty Levels: Five levels corresponding to grades:

    • Level A: Grades 3–5 (Primary)

    • Level B: Grades 6–7 (Upper Primary/Lower Secondary)

    • Level C: Grades 8–9 (Middle Secondary)

    • Level D: Grades 10–11 (High School)

    • Level E: Grade 12 (Senior High School)

  • Exam Location: Participating schools nationwide (online options may be provided for partner schools)

  • Exam Format: Individual competition

  • Scoring: 30 questions, total 135 points; incorrect or unanswered questions do not deduct points

    • Questions 1–10: 3 points each

    • Questions 11–20: 4 points each

    • Questions 21–25: 5 points each

    • Questions 26–30: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 points respectively

  • Awards:

    • Peter O’Halloran Certificate of Excellence: Full marks (Global)

    • Prize (Excellence Award): Top 0.3% in Levels A–E

    • High Distinction (First Award): Top 3% in Levels A–D; Top 5% in Level E

    • Distinction (Second Award): Top 20% in Levels A–D; Top 25% in Level E

    • Credit (Third Award): Top 55% in Levels A–D; Top 60% in Level E

    • Proficiency Award: Scores above the passing threshold (average ~32 points), but not earning higher distinctions

02 AMC Registration and Exam Schedule

  • Registration Deadline: September 16, 2025

  • Exam Date: September 27, 2025 (Saturday)

    • Levels A & B: 10:00–11:00 AM (60 minutes)

    • Levels C, D & E: 2:00–3:15 PM (75 minutes)

Past AMC Papers & Study Resources

  • 2014–2024 past papers in PDF format, covering Levels A–E

  • High-frequency topics clearly marked for focused practice

  • Detailed solutions for every question

  • Printable PDF versions for flexible practice

03 AMC Prestige and Recognition

The value of AMC lies in multiple dimensions:

  • Academic Recognition: AMC is explicitly recognized by Australia’s Group of Eight (G8) universities. Leading institutions such as the University of New South Wales consider AMC awardees preferentially for scholarships.

  • International Recognition: AMC results are widely accepted in top schools and universities in the US, UK, Singapore, and other countries.

  • China Recognition: AMC scores are increasingly used in independent admissions by international and top-tier schools in China.

Unique Advantages of AMC Compared to Other Competitions:

  • Unlike the American AMC, which is primarily a selection exam, the Australian AMC emphasizes creativity, logical thinking, and practical problem-solving.

  • Compared with Math Kangaroo, AMC offers greater academic depth for students.

  • Compared with Euclid Mathematics Competition (Canada), AMC provides a more balanced difficulty gradient, making it an ideal standard to evaluate mathematical ability.

04 AMC Difficulty Analysis Compared to Other Competitions

Australian AMC vs. AMC 8 (USA)

  • Difficulty: Lower-level AMC is easier than AMC 8, but the higher-level AMC (Senior Division) includes more complex logic, algebra, and geometry questions. Difficulty is comparable to AMC 8.

  • Question Types: Both primarily multiple-choice; AMC includes some fill-in-the-blank questions in higher levels and emphasizes practical applications and mathematical modeling.

  • Knowledge Coverage: AMC Senior levels include high school topics like combinatorics and basic number theory, while AMC 8 is limited to middle school mathematics.

Australian AMC vs. SASMO (Singapore)

  • Difficulty: SASMO is similar to AMC mid-high levels but emphasizes Olympiad-style techniques (number theory, combinatorics), while AMC focuses more on flexible application of fundamental knowledge.

  • Question Types: SASMO combines multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank with more competition-style problems; AMC questions are more straightforward.

Australian AMC vs. Math Kangaroo

  • Difficulty: Math Kangaroo is generally easier, especially for lower grades (1–6), with fun-oriented questions and minimal complex calculations. AMC offers a more systematic difficulty progression.

  • Purpose: Math Kangaroo emphasizes cultivating interest; AMC is a traditional competition suitable for students with solid foundations.

Australian AMC vs. Chinese Olympiads (e.g., Hua Cup, Spring Cup)

  • Difficulty: Chinese Olympiads are more advanced, involving deep number theory, combinatorics, and inequalities. AMC hard problems correspond to basic levels in Chinese Olympiads.

  • Question Types: Chinese Olympiads focus on proof-based problems, while AMC emphasizes speed and accuracy with multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank formats.

Australian AMC vs. Euclid Math Competition (Canada)

  • Difficulty: Euclid is significantly harder, targeting high school students with algebra, geometry, and number theory proofs. AMC Senior questions are more basic.

  • Purpose: Euclid serves as a reference for Canadian top university admissions, while AMC is more widely accessible.

Australian AMC vs. BMO (British Mathematical Olympiad)

  • Difficulty: BMO is a high-level competition for advanced students (IMO selection), far exceeding AMC difficulty, with abstract algebra, combinatorics, and proof-based problems.

  • Positioning: AMC is an entry-to-intermediate level competition; BMO is for professional Olympiad students.

Difficulty Ladder Summary:

  • Beginner/Fun: Math Kangaroo < SASMO ≈ AMC (lower levels) < AMC 8

  • Intermediate: AMC (upper levels) < Euclid < Chinese Olympiad Preliminary

  • Advanced: BMO / Chinese Olympiad Finals ≈ CMO

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