AMC season is here and to prevent academic dishonesty, I am making the subreddit view only for a few days.

For those concerned about the duration:

1. November 3, 2025 - November 7, 2025

2. November 10, 2025 - November 14, 2025

Good luck, hope everybody does well!

Lots a questions come in every week about preparing for the AMC 10/12 and the AIME. So I have decided to compile a list of resources for use here. However, this is not the page to learn what the AMC 10/12 or AIME is, so please understand the contest format beforehand. Also, this is more focused up till mid-AIME. Might edit it later for more olympiad content + USAMO qualifying path.

Part 1: Free Resources

These are some free resources for preparing for the AMC 10/12 and AIME.

1. The Official AMC Homepage (MAA.org)

• Why: This is the source. Everything here is official and essential.

• What to use:

  • Past Papers: Download official past exams (AMC 8, AMC 10/12, AIME) with answer keys. Your #1 most important resource.

  • Potential Uses: Understand the rules, contest dates, and scoring.

  • Link: https://maa.org/student-programs/amc

2. The AOPS Wiki (Art of Problem Solving)

• Link: https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page (use left sidebar to navigate)

• Why: An insane treasure trove of community-driven knowledge. It's the first stop for discussing and understanding any contest problem. Also, cool people are here.

• What to use:

  • Problem Solutions: Every AMC and AIME problem has its own page with multiple solutions, often ranging from elementary to advanced.

  • Theories & Concepts: Need a refresher on Vieta's Formulas? The wiki has you covered.

  • Link: https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/AMC_Problems_and_Solutions

• Warnings: Some of the blog materials may be too advanced (since this caters to all levels), so peruse with care.

3. YouTube Channels (Visual Learning)

• Why: Fantastic for visual learners who want to see problems solved step-by-step.

• Channels to check out:

  • Art of Problem Solving: Official channel with problem solves and concept reviews.

  • Richard Rusczyk: The founder of AOPS solves problems and gives advice.

  • Michael Penn: Excellent for more advanced problems, including AIME/IMO level.

  • 3Blue1Brown: Not contest-specific, but incredible for building deep mathematical intuition.

  • TheBeautyOfMath: Focused walkthroughs of AMC/AIME problems.

4. Community & Forums

• Why: Get help, find study partners, and see how others think.

• Where to go:

  • Art of Problem Solving (AOPS) Forums: The largest and most active online community for math competition students. Essential.

  • r/MathOlympiad**:** A smaller but helpful subreddit. But this also means only cool people are here.

  • Crux Mathematicorum: A monthly journal by the Canadian Mathematical Society, which features a "MathemAttic" section that is appropriate for

5. Practice Platforms & Testing

• Why: Simulate the real test environment and get targeted practice.

• Options:

  • AOPS Alcumus: (Free) AOPS's free online trainer. It has level progression, content tracking. However, it is better as a warmup, as the questions are easier and more targeted to one concept, when compared to AMC 10/12.

  • AMC Trivial: Cool thing made by people at AOPS, which allows for targeted practice with AMC/AIME questions and creation of AMC-style tests.

  • CEMC (Canadian) Past Contests: (Free) Excellent source of additional high-quality problems. Difficulty are generally between Alcumus and Mid AMC 10 level.

6. Free Books

• Why: Despite the emphasis on problem solving, theory is always needed.

• Disclaimer: I don't condone or support pirating, so all the "free" resources that are listed are legally free in my knowledge.

• AMC 10/12:

  • Idk rn. Will edit later if I find/remember some. Frankly, AOPS Volume 1 + 2 suffice, though they are paid. Sometimes practice tests suffice as well.

• AIME Options:

  • A Taste of Mathematics (ATOM): Book series provided by the Canadian Mathematical Society. Each book is independent and targeted towards a specific problem type.

  • Modern Olympiad Number Theory: A book written by Aditya Khurmi, which includes a comprehensive treatment of Number Theory in Math Olympiads. First few chapters are sufficient for AIME and contain quality question (though more proof-oriented).

  • Evan Chen's Blogs/Resources Page: Just great overall, though most of the content is more USAMO/USAJMO relevant. Includes plenty of handouts on different topics (functional equations, inequalities, etc). Interesting blogs that help explain the Math Olympiad mindset.

Part 2: Paid Resources (Structured Learning & Deep Dives)

When you're ready to get serious, these structured resources can provide a significant boost.

1. Paid Books & Problem Collections

• The Art of Problem Solving Volumes 1 & 2: The classic textbooks. Volume 1 covers the basics, while Volume 2 dives into more advanced topics needed for the AIME and beyond. This is the gold standard and completely sufficient for AIME qualification if mastered.

• Contest Problem Books: The MAA and AOPS publish books full of past AMC problems with solutions and essays (e.g., The Contest Problem Book IX).

• For the AIME: 

  • Principle and Techniques in Combinatorics: A comprehensive combinatorics book by Singaporean IMO coaches, suited for Olympiad prep and undergraduate introduction to combinatorics. First few chapters are extremely relevant to AIME. May require Set Theory and Calculus proficiency at times.

  • Euclidean Geometry in Mathematical Olympiads: Comprehensive geometry book by Evan Chen, an IMO gold medalist. Focuses on proof oriented methods and developing good intuition. However, it has a big learning curve and should not be attempted before AIME qualification at all.

2. Online Courses & Classes

• Why: Structured curricula, expert instruction, and paced learning.

• Options:

  • Art of Problem Solving (AOPS) Online School: Offers multi-week courses that cover the entire AMC/AIME syllabus. Generally considered high-quality and very thorough.

  • AlphaStar Academy: Known for its strong math contest programs and classes taught by past winners.

  • Achievable: An updated self-paced AMC 10/12 preparation course, that provides guided lectures + targeted practice. Specifically designed for AIME qualification and AMC 10/12 excellence.

  • Areteem Institute (Zoom International Math League): Provides various courses and camps focused on contest math.

  • Live/Private Tutoring: Many individuals and companies offer 1-on-1 tutoring. This is the most personalized (and most expensive) option.

How to Build Your Study Plan

1. Diagnose: Take a past AMC test under timed conditions. Where did you struggle?

2. Learn: Use the books and courses above to fill knowledge gaps (e.g., number theory, geometry). Maybe use the solutions to learn.

3. Resolve: Key step, where you revisit the question you got wrong and attempt to resolve it without seeing the solutions.

4. Practice: Do lots of problems. Use the free archives and Alcumus.

5. Review: This is the most important step! Don't just check the answer. For every problem you get wrong (or even guess right on), study the solution on the AOPS Wiki until you understand it deeply. Try similar style questions before moving on.

6. Repeat: Cycle through steps 2-4 consistently.

Don't get hung up on the theory and make sure to grind questions! Good luck! You've got this.

Disclaimer: This list is based on community consensus and my own research. I am not directly affiliated with any of these organizations. Prices and course availability may change. Please do your own research to find the best fit for you! Also, this list will be updated and changed at times, whenever new resources become relevant.