American High School Mathematics Examination
The American High School Mathematics Examination (AHSME) was the first exam in the series of exams used to challenge bright students, grades 12 and below, and after 1973, was used on the path toward choosing the team that represents the United States at the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO).
High scoring AHSME students after 1983 were invited to take the more challenging American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME).
The AHSME replaced the AHSC in 1973.
The AHSME was replaced with the AMC 12 in 2000.
Format
The AHSME was a 30 question, 90 minute, multiple choice exam (except in 1973, in which it had 35 questions). Problems generally increased in difficulty as the exam progresses. Calculators were not permitted.
For every correct answer: 5 points For every wrong answer: 0 points For every problem not answered: 2 points
Curriculum
The AHSME tests mathematical problem solving with arithmetic, algebra, counting, geometry, number theory, and probability and other secondary school math topics. Problems are designed to be solvable by students without any background in calculus.
Resources
Links
- AMC homepage, their AMC 12 page, and practice problems
- The AoPS AMC 12 guide.
- Contests and Programs forum for discussion of various competitions, including the AMC and problems from AMC exams.
- The AoPS Contest Archive includes problems and solutions from past AMC exams.
- AHSME Problems and Solutions
Recommended reading
- Problem and solution books for past AMC exams.
- Introduction to Counting & Probability by Dr. David Patrick. Information
- Introduction to Geometry by Richard Rusczyk. Information
- The Art of Problem Solving Volume I by Sandor Lehoczky and Richard Rusczyk. Information.
- The Art of Problem Solving Volume II by Sandor Lehoczky and Richard Rusczyk. Information.
