2020-21 Competition Calendar

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Academic competitions in math and science can motivate students to learn new skills and meet new friends along the way. Important information and dates for some of the major competitions are found below.

Math Competitions

Check out our math contest preparation guide here for how to prepare!

Online ZIML Monthly Contests

Zoom International Math League (ZIML) hosts monthly contests during the school year testing problem solving abilities in math. The online contest format makes it easy to participate and students can do so anytime during the weekend.

Key Dates: Monthly Contests are held at the beginning of the month, starting in October 2020. A sample contest is held each September to introduce new students to ZIML.

More Information: Visit the ZIML website at ziml.areteem.org for more information and learn about all of ZIML’s offerings.

AMC 8

The AMC 8 competition is multiple choice math competition held by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) for middle school students (up to grade 8). Held once a year, it allows younger students the opportunity to test their knowledge of middle school math.

Key Dates: The competition will be held in schools and online from November 10 to 16, 2020. Schools must register by October 29th, 2020. View the most recent announcements from the MAA on the official AMC 8 page linked below. Note: students must still be registered through an educational institution to take the exam online.

More Information: Visit the AMC 8 page on the MAA website here for more information. For ways to prepare for the exam visit Areteem’s classes site here.

AMC 10/12

The AMC 10 and AMC 12 competitions are multiple choice math competitions held by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) for middle school students (up to grade 10 and 12 respectively). They are each offered twice a year and are the first exams for students wishing to qualify for the US Math Olympiad Team.

Key Dates: The AMC 10A/12A will be held in schools and online on February 4th , 2021 and the AMC 10B/12B will be held in schools on February 10th, 2021. Schools must register for the “A” date by December 19th, 2020 and the “B” date by January 9th, 2021. View the most recent announcements from the MAA on the official AMC 10/12 page linked below. Note: students must still be registered through an educational institution to take the exam online.

More Information: Visit the AMC 10/12 page on the MAA website here for more information. For ways to prepare for the exam visit Areteem’s classes site here.

American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME)

Students who excel on the AMC 10 and/or AMC 12 are invited to take the AIME. AIME features more difficult problems and students who excel advance to the USA Mathematical Olympiad, the last qualifying exam for the US Math Olympiad Team.

Key Dates: The AIME will be held in schools and online on March 10th, 2021 (alternate date March 18th, 2020). View the most recent announcements from the MAA on the official page linked below.

More Information: Visit the Invitational Competitions page on the MAA website here for more information. For ways to prepare for the exam visit Areteem’s classes site here.

MATHCOUNTS

MathCounts is a series of math competitions for middle school students. Individuals and Teams compete and advance at the School, Chapter, State, and National level. The competition features several rounds, where students compete both as individuals and as teams.

Key Dates: Dates are dependent on your location.

  • School competitions must be held before February 2021. Online practice competitions (to be used by schools) will start to release October 15th, 2020.
  • Chapter competitions will be held online February 5th and 6th, 2021.
  • State competitions will be held online on March 5th, 2021.
  • The MathCounts National Championship will be held onsite May 9th and 10th, 2021 in Washington, DC.

More Information: Visit the MATHCOUNTS site here for more information. For ways to prepare for the exam visit Areteem’s classes site here.

Physics Competitions

F=ma and USAPhO Exams

The F=ma exam is a multiple choice exam held by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) that tests problem solving skills in mechanics. The F=ma exam is the first exam for students wishing to qualify for the US Physics Olympiad Team. Students who excel on the F=ma exam compete in the USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO) which tests their knowledge in all areas of physics.

Key Dates: The 2021 F=ma Exam dates are not yet announced, but are typically held in late January. The Spring 2021 USAPhO is typically held in March/April.

More Information: Visit the U.S. Physics Team page on the AAPT website here for more information. For ways to prepare for the exam visit Areteem’s classes site here.

Physics Bowl

Physics Bowl is a multiple choice exam held by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) that tests basic physics knowledge, including history and current events. Physics Bowl requires being comfortable with all areas of physics.

Key Dates: The 2020-21 dates are yet to be announced, but Physics Bowl is typically held in March/April.

More Information: Visit the Physics Bowl page on the AAPT website here for more information. For ways to prepare for the exam visit Areteem’s classes site here.

Computer Science Competitions

US Computing Olympiad (USACO)

The US Computing Olympiad offers multiple programming contests throughout the year. Each contest features Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinium levels for students with different skill levels. Top scoring students in USACO are chosen for the team representing the US at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI).

Key Dates: The 2020-21 dates are yet to be announced, but contests are typically held in December, January, and February, with the US Open competition held in March/April.

More Information: Visit the USACO website here for more information.

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