If your child wants to take the AMC in Canada, registration works differently from most school exams. Students cannot sign up individually through the Mathematical Association of America — participation must go through a registered test centre, which is either a school that offers the competition or an independent centre approved by the MAA. This guide explains exactly how AMC registration in Canada works, where to find a test centre, what the key dates are, how much it costs, and what to do if your child’s school does not participate.
How AMC registration in Canada works
The American Mathematics Competitions are organised by the Mathematical Association of America, which approves test centres around the world to host the exams. In Canada, students participate through one of these registered centres rather than registering directly with the MAA.
There are two ways your child can participate.
The first is through their school. Many Canadian schools, particularly those with enriched or gifted programmes, register students for the AMC as a group. If you are not sure whether your child’s school participates, ask their math teacher or school administration in September — this is when most schools confirm their AMC participation for the year.
The second is through an independent test centre. If your child’s school does not offer the AMC, parents can find an alternative registered centre through the MAA’s official website. Think Academy Canada is a registered AMC test centre and has hosted AMC 8 and AMC 10 competitions since 2021.
Step-by-step: how to register through an independent centre
- Go to the MAA official website and use the Find a Competition Manager tool to locate registered centres in your area
- Contact the centre to confirm they are hosting the competition in the current year and check whether spaces are available
- Pay the registration fee directly to the centre — this covers the administration and processing of scores
- Create an account on the MAA website and complete the student registration form once the centre confirms your child’s seat
- Note the exam date and any instructions from the centre about what to bring on the day
AMC registration dates and deadlines for Canadian students
Missing a registration deadline means missing the competition for that year. The MAA updates its schedule annually so always check the official MAA website for the current year’s dates. The timelines below are based on recent years and give a reliable guide to when to start looking.
| Competition | Exam window | Registration opens | Registration closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMC 8 | January | September | October to November |
| AMC 10A and 10B | November | August to September | October |
| AMC 12A and 12B | November | August to September | October |
The AMC 8 moved from November to January starting in 2023. If you have seen older resources listing November for the AMC 8, this information is now out of date. The 2026 AMC 8 ran from January 22 to 30.
Registration deadlines are strict. Test centres must submit their student lists to the MAA before the closing date and late entries are not accepted. If you are using an independent centre rather than a school, contact them as early as possible — popular centres fill up and cannot always accommodate last-minute requests.
Which AMC should your child register for?
Before registering, it is worth making sure your child is signing up for the right level. The three competitions have different eligibility requirements and difficulty levels.
| Competition | Grade eligibility | Age limit | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMC 8 | Grade 8 and below | Under 14.5 | Middle school level |
| AMC 10 | Grade 10 and below | Under 17.5 | High school level |
| AMC 12 | Grade 12 and below | Under 19.5 | Pre-calculus level |
Students in Grade 9 and 10 are eligible for both the AMC 10 and AMC 12. Most students at this stage are better served by the AMC 10 unless they have already covered trigonometry and logarithms — the AMC 12 adds these topics and is significantly harder as a result.
Students who are eligible for the AMC 8 can also sit the AMC 10 if they are strong enough, though this is unusual and most students benefit from building their AMC 8 foundation first.
For a full guide to each competition, see: What is the AMC? A Canadian Parent’s Guide to American Math Competitions
For an in-depth explanation of an individual contest, see: AMC 8 Math Competition: The Complete Guide for Canadian Students, AMC 10 Math Competition: The Complete Guide for Canadian Students, or AMC 12 Math Competition: Complete Guide for Canadian Students
How much does AMC registration cost in Canada?
The MAA sets a standard registration fee per student which covers administration and score processing. Individual test centres may add a small facility or administration fee on top of this. The total cost varies slightly by centre.
When contacting a test centre, ask specifically about the total cost per student including any additional fees. Some schools absorb the cost for their students, in which case there is no charge to the family. Independent centres will generally charge the full amount.
Think Academy Canada’s fees are available on the AMC 8 and AMC 10 course pages. Contact us directly if you have questions about costs.
What happens on the day of the AMC?
What to bring
Students should bring:
- A valid photo ID or confirmation of enrolment
- Several sharpened pencils — the AMC uses multiple choice answer sheets and pencils are required
- No calculator — calculators are not permitted on any level of the AMC
- No notes or formula sheets — these are not permitted either
What the exam looks like
The AMC 8 is 25 questions in 40 minutes, multiple choice with five options per question. There is no penalty for wrong answers so students should attempt every question.
The AMC 10 and 12 are both 30 questions in 75 minutes. The scoring system is different — correct answers score 6 points, blank answers score 1.5 points, and wrong answers score 0. Students should leave a question blank rather than guess randomly.
When do results come out?
Results are typically released by the MAA within a few weeks of the competition window closing. Students receive their score and information about whether they have qualified for the next stage. For the AMC 8, results include whether the student has earned Achievement Roll, Honor Roll, or Distinguished Honor Roll recognition. For the AMC 10 and 12, results include whether the student qualifies for the AIME.
How to prepare your child after registering
Registration is the easy part. The more important question is what happens between signing up and sitting the exam.
How long does preparation take?
For the AMC 8, most students benefit from six to twelve months of structured preparation. Students who are new to competition math should start well before the registration deadline rather than registering and then beginning preparation — the two should happen in parallel.
For the AMC 10, preparation typically takes eighteen to thirty-six months for a student to be competitive. Students who register for the AMC 10 without a foundation in AMC 8 level problem-solving often find the experience discouraging. Building the AMC 8 foundation first, even if a student is technically eligible for AMC 10 by grade, is usually the better approach.
The most effective preparation approaches
Working through AMC past papers is the foundation of any preparation plan. Past papers for every year and level are available through the MAA website and the Art of Problem Solving community. The goal is not just to complete papers but to review every question carefully — including the ones answered correctly — and identify which mathematical concept each question tests.
Structured courses with a clear curriculum are significantly more efficient than self-study alone for most students. Think Academy’s AMC preparation courses use a spiral advancement model, covering all topic areas at increasing depth with live classes, teacher-marked homework, and mock exams under timed conditions.
Think Academy students have earned more than 1,700 AMC 8 medals and 700 AMC 10 medals since 2021. In the 2024 to 2025 academic year, nearly one in three Think Academy students qualified for AIME — four times the national average.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register my child for the AMC in Canada? Registration goes through a registered AMC test centre rather than directly through the MAA. Your child’s school may offer the AMC — ask their math teacher in September. If not, find an independent centre using the MAA’s Find a Competition Manager tool. Think Academy Canada is a registered test centre and accepts registrations for AMC 8 and AMC 10.
When is the AMC 8 in Canada? The AMC 8 is held in January each year. The 2026 AMC 8 ran from January 22 to 30. Registration typically opens in September and closes in October to November. Check the MAA official website for the current year’s exact dates.
When is the AMC 10 in Canada? The AMC 10 is held in November each year in two sittings approximately one week apart — AMC 10A and AMC 10B. Registration typically opens in August and closes in October. Students may sit one or both versions.
Can my child register for the AMC if their school does not offer it? Yes. Parents can find a registered independent test centre using the MAA’s Find a Competition Manager tool. Think Academy Canada is a registered centre and has hosted AMC competitions since 2021.
How much does it cost to register for the AMC in Canada? The cost varies slightly by centre. The MAA sets a standard base fee per student and centres may add a small administration fee. Contact your chosen test centre directly for the total cost.
Can a student sit both AMC 10 and AMC 12? Students can sit AMC 10A and AMC 12B, or AMC 10B and AMC 12A, since the A and B versions are held on different dates. They cannot sit both the AMC 10 and AMC 12 on the same date as the A versions are held simultaneously and the B versions are held simultaneously.
What happens if my child misses the registration deadline? Registration deadlines are strict and late entries are not accepted. If your child misses the deadline for the current year, the next opportunity is the following year. This is why contacting test centres early — particularly for popular centres that fill up — is important.
Does registering for the AMC guarantee a place? Registration through a centre is subject to available spaces. Popular centres, particularly in the GTA and Metro Vancouver, can fill up. Register as early as possible once the registration window opens to secure a place.
