When it comes to AMC math competitions, many students immediately think of the well-known American AMC. However, today we turn our attention to the southern hemisphere—the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC). With a long-standing history and global recognition, the Australian AMC is also an important academic credential for admission to Australia’s top universities.
For those unfamiliar with it, preparation may seem daunting. While the official 2026 schedule has not yet been released, we can refer to previous years’ timelines to plan ahead and start preparation methodically. Let’s take a closer look at this prestigious competition.
Overview of the Australian AMC
The Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) was founded in 1978 by renowned mathematician Peter O’Halloran and is organized by the Australian Mathematics Trust (AMT). It is one of the largest school-based math competitions in the world.
Today, students from over 30 countries participate annually. AMC also serves as a key selection benchmark for Australia’s national team for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
Key Dates (Reference from Previous Years)
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Registration Deadline: September 16, 2025
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Exam Date: September 27, 2025 (Saturday)
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A/B Level: 10:00 – 11:00 (60 minutes)
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C/D/E Level: 14:00 – 15:15 (75 minutes)
Eligible Participants
The Australian AMC is suitable for students in Grades 3–12 (as of September 2025), with different levels based on grade:
| Level | Grade | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A | 3–4 | Junior Primary |
| B | 5–6 | Senior Primary |
| C | 7–8 | Junior Secondary |
| D | 9–10 | Intermediate |
| E | 11–12 | Senior |
Registration
Students may register through authorized or partner schools via ASDAN.
Exam Format
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Format: Individual competition, 30 questions
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Duration: 60 minutes (A-B), 75 minutes (C-E)
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Scoring: Total score 135 points
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Questions 1–10: 3 points each
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Questions 11–20: 4 points each
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Questions 21–25: 5 points each
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Questions 26–30: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 points
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Incorrect answers: 0 points
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Awards
Global Award:
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Peter O’Halloran Award of Excellence: Awarded to all students who achieve a perfect score
National Awards:
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Prize: Top 0.3%
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High Distinction: Top 3% (Top 5% in senior group)
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Distinction: Top 20% (Top 25% in senior group)
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Credit: Top 55% (Top 60% in senior group)
Exam Content
The Australian AMC tests arithmetic, algebra, number theory, geometry, measurement, probability, statistics, combinatorics, and logical reasoning.
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Emphasis is on mathematical thinking rather than calculation
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Calculations are straightforward and can be completed without a calculator
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Focuses on conceptual understanding and reasoning skills rather than rote computation
Curriculum Alignment and Preparation Tips
For Students in Different Curricula:
AP Curriculum:
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AP students can leverage their pre-calculus knowledge for AMC preparation
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Australian AMC requires deeper engagement with algebra and analytic geometry and some competition-specific content
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Calculus knowledge helps with understanding algebra and geometry fundamentals and improves computational skills
A Level Curriculum:
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Many foundational topics overlap with AMC content
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A Level emphasizes fixed frameworks and procedural problem-solving, whereas AMC focuses on mathematical reasoning and flexible problem-solving
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Students should adjust thinking strategies, practice competition-style questions, and strengthen advanced problem-solving skills for the final 5 high-difficulty questions
IB Curriculum:
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IB content overlaps significantly with AMC fundamentals but is broader in scope
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AMC is relatively approachable for IB students
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Focus should be on consolidating fundamentals, practicing counting and number theory, and training for competition-style problem-solving