Whether your child is looking for AMC 10 past contests to work through, a structured practice test to benchmark their level, or the AMC 10 dates for the current year, this guide covers all three. It explains where to find official past papers and solutions, how to use AMC 10 practice tests effectively rather than just completing them, and what the competition calendar looks like for Canadian students registering through a test centre.
AMC 10 past contests — where to find them
AMC 10 past contests going back to 2000 are available free from two sources.
The Mathematical Association of America publishes official past papers and answer keys at maa.org. This is the authoritative source for every AMC 10A and AMC 10B paper ever administered.
The Art of Problem Solving community at artofproblemsolving.com hosts the same papers alongside detailed solution discussions for every problem. For each question, multiple solution approaches are presented and explained. This is the more useful resource for students who want to understand why a solution works rather than just what the answer is.
Both are free. There is no reason to pay for AMC 10 past contest access.
How many AMC 10 past contests are available?
The AMC 10 has been offered since 2000 in two versions each year — AMC 10A and AMC 10B. This means there are over 40 past papers available, each containing 30 questions. Combined with AMC 10 2024 and AMC 10 2025, students have access to more than 1,200 past contest problems across every difficulty level.
For more on past contests, read AMC 10 Past Contests and Solutions: Full Archive by Year.
How to use AMC 10 past contests as practice tests
Most students use past papers the wrong way — they complete a paper, check the score, and move on. This produces much slower improvement than deliberate review.
An effective AMC 10 practice test session has four stages:
Stage one: Complete the full paper under timed conditions — 75 minutes, no calculator, no notes. Leave questions blank rather than guessing randomly since blank answers score 1.5 points and wrong answers score 0.
Stage two: Score the paper and categorise every question by topic — algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics, or probability. Note which topic areas produced the most errors.
Stage three: Review every wrong answer using the AoPS solution discussions. Read the full solution, understand why the method works, and check whether a faster approach exists.
Stage four: Spend the next study session working specifically on your weakest topic area before attempting the next practice test.
One practice test per month reviewed thoroughly is more effective than completing a paper every week without review.
What score should you be targeting on AMC 10 practice tests?
| Target | Score needed | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| AIME qualification | Approximately 100 to 115 out of 150 | Top 2.5% of all AMC 10 participants |
| Honor Roll | Approximately 90 to 100 | Top 5% of participants |
| Strong performance | 70 to 90 | Well-prepared student, building toward AIME |
| First attempt | 40 to 70 | Normal starting range with preparation needed |
Cutoff scores vary each year based on exam difficulty. The official cutoffs are published by the MAA after each sitting.
AMC 10 dates for Canadian students
The AMC 10 is held in November each year in two sittings approximately one week apart.
| Version | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AMC 10A | Early November | Same day as AMC 12A — choose one |
| AMC 10B | Mid November | Same day as AMC 12B — choose one |
Students may sit both AMC 10A and AMC 10B, giving two opportunities to achieve a qualifying score. Registration typically opens in August and closes in October. Check the MAA official website for exact dates each year as these are updated annually.
How to register for the AMC 10 in Canada
Canadian students register through a registered AMC test centre — either their school or an independent centre. If your school does not offer the AMC 10, contact an independent centre directly. Think Academy Canada is a registered AMC test centre and has hosted AMC 10 competitions since 2021.
Registration deadlines are strict. Spaces at popular centres fill up and late entries are not accepted. Register as early as possible once the window opens.
AMC Registration in Canada: How to Sign Your Child Up
AMC 10 preparation resources beyond past contests
Past papers are the foundation of AMC 10 preparation but not the only resource worth using.
The CEMC at the University of Waterloo offers free past papers and courseware for the Waterloo contest series — Gauss, Pascal, Cayley, Fermat, and Euclid. These contests develop the same problem-solving skills as the AMC 10 and working through them builds the mathematical foundation that makes AMC 10 practice tests more productive.
Think Academy’s AMC 10 preparation courses cover all topic areas tested across AMC 10 past contests — algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics — with live classes, teacher-marked homework, and mock exams under timed conditions. Nearly one in three Think Academy students qualified for AIME in the 2024 to 2025 academic year, four times the national average.
AMC 10 Math Competition: The Complete Guide for Canadian Students
AMC 10 vs AMC 8: Difficulty, Format and What Canadian Students Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find AMC 10 past contests? AMC 10 past papers and solutions are available free at maa.org and artofproblemsolving.com. Both AMC 10A and 10B papers are available going back to 2000. AoPS also hosts detailed solution discussions for every past problem.
When is the AMC 10 in Canada? The AMC 10 is held in November each year in two versions approximately one week apart. Registration typically opens in August and closes in October. Check maa.org for exact dates each year.
What is a good score on the AMC 10 practice test? For a first attempt, scoring 40 to 70 out of 150 is normal. Students targeting AIME qualification should aim for consistent scores of 100 or above on timed practice tests. Cutoffs vary each year and are published by the MAA after each competition.
How do I register for the AMC 10 in Canada? Registration goes through a registered AMC test centre. If your school does not offer it, find an independent centre through the MAA website. Think Academy Canada is a registered centre accepting registrations for AMC 10.
Can I sit both AMC 10A and AMC 10B? Yes. AMC 10A and 10B are held on different dates approximately one week apart. Students may sit both and use the better score for AIME qualification purposes.
