AMO 2026 exam dates
Each row links to the organiser's original notice.
- Oct12AMO 2026United States
Monday, 12 Oct 2026 - 13 Nov 2026
Source: Southern Illinois University (SIU)Updated 07 Oct 2026
In progressRegister - Oct256 days leftRegister
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About AMO
The American Mathematics Olympiad (AMO) is an international mathematics competition jointly organized by the Singapore International Mastery Contests Centre (SIMCC) and Southern Illinois University (SIU) in the United States, for students from grade 2 to grade 12. Each grade sits its own 90-minute paper of 25 questions, and only final answers are marked.
This AMO is not the Australian Mathematical Olympiad, an invitation-only, proof-based contest run by the Australian Maths Trust, and it is not the USAMO, the proof-based United States olympiad of the Mathematical Association of America. AMO past papers on this page belong to the SIMCC and SIU contest. Below you will find the AMO levels, the exam format, the timing and how to prepare.
Overview
The AMO is part of the family of contests run by SIMCC, the Singapore organization that also runs SASMO. In the United States it is hosted with the STEM Education Research Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which offers testing at schools and an on-campus sitting. According to SIU, the 2021 edition was the first time the competition was held in the United States, and the university describes the contest as covering grades 2 through 11/12. Outside the United States, the contest is delivered through SIMCC's local partners in countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam.
The contest is a single paper-based test, taken once a year. Questions combine school mathematics with non-routine problems, and the paper is designed so that students show understanding through correct final answers rather than written proofs.
AMO levels and grades
The AMO has one level per grade from grade 2 to grade 10, plus a shared level for the last two years of high school. There is no paper for kindergarten or grade 1.
| Level | Grades | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 2 to Grade 10 | Grade 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 | Nine levels, one paper per grade |
| Grade 11-12 | Grade 11-12 | One shared paper; some local organizers list Grade 11 and Grade 12 as separate categories |
Students enter the level that matches their current school grade.
Rounds
The AMO has only one round. Medals are awarded from that single paper, ranked within each grade. Medal winners can be invited to SIMOC (Singapore International Math Olympiad Challenge), an international event held in Singapore with an individual contest and team games. SIMOC is a separate competition, not a second AMO round.
AMO exam format and scoring
The paper is the same in structure for every grade.
| Section | Questions | Type | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | 15 | Multiple choice | 3 marks each (45) |
| Section B | 5 | Short answer | 5 marks each (25) |
| Section C | 5 | Short answer | 6 marks each (30) |
| Total | 25 | 90 minutes | 100 marks |
There is no penalty for wrong answers. Students write only the final answer; working is not marked.
Medals are given by ranking within each grade: Gold for the top 8 percent, Silver for the next 12 percent, Bronze for the next 20 percent and Honourable Mention for the next 10 percent.
When is it held
The AMO usually takes place between October and November. In the United States, schools can run the test during a testing window in that period, and SIU also hosts an on-campus sitting. Other countries set their own dates within the same season through the local partner. Registration is handled by the school or by the local SIMCC partner.
How to prepare with past papers
- Answer everything. There is no penalty, so never leave a question blank. If you run out of time, make an educated guess on the remaining multiple-choice questions.
- Budget time for Sections B and C. Ten short-answer questions carry 55 of the 100 marks. A good target is to finish Section A in about 40 minutes, leaving 50 minutes for the harder questions.
- Double-check arithmetic. Only the final answer counts, so a correct method with a small slip earns nothing. Build the habit of checking units, signs and the exact quantity the question asks for.
- Practise typical topics. AMO papers regularly include number patterns, counting, logical reasoning, geometry and word problems at olympiad level. Sort your mistakes by topic after each paper.
- Use papers for your exact grade. Each grade has its own paper, so your own grade is the best measure of readiness. Strong students can try the paper one grade up.
On Edupiad you can take AMO past papers online with a timer, get automatic marking and review each question after you submit. The years and solutions available differ from paper to paper.
Frequently asked questions
What grades can take the AMO?
Grades 2 to 12. Grades 2 to 10 each have their own paper, and grades 11 and 12 share a paper in most listings.
Is the AMO the same as the Australian Mathematical Olympiad or the USAMO?
No. This AMO is a multiple-choice and short-answer contest by SIMCC and Southern Illinois University. The Australian Mathematical Olympiad and the USAMO are invitation-only, proof-based olympiads run by different organizations.
Does the AMO deduct marks for wrong answers?
No. Wrong or blank answers simply score zero.
How long is the AMO exam?
90 minutes for 25 questions, with a maximum score of 100 marks.
Is the AMO the same as the AMC?
No. The AMC (AMC 8, 10 and 12) is run by the Mathematical Association of America and has a different format and scoring system.