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, on the path toward choosing the team that represents the United States at the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO).
High scoring AHSME students were invited to take the more challenging American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME).
The AHSME was replaced with the AMC 12 in 2000.
Format
The AHSME is a 30 question, 90 minute multiple choice test. Problems generally increase in difficulty as the exam progresses. Calculators are not permitted.
For every correct answer: 5 points For every wrong answer: -2 points For every problem not answered: 0 points
For right now, these are only predictions. This not the actual format.
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.
- AMC Forum for discussion of 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.
