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6 Month Math Challenge I-AB Self-Paced Study Plan

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Areteem’s self-paced courses make learning at your own pace easy, with video lectures, practice problems with full solutions, and forums you can use to ask for help.

In this post, Areteem Director of Curriculum and Instruction Mr. John, helps explain how to make the most of your MC I-AB bundle with a 6 month study plan.

MC I-AB Course Structure and Textbook

The full MC I-AB curriculum is split into four subjects and follows the MC I-B textbooks:

  • Pre-Algebra and Word Problems
  • Geometry
  • Counting & Probability
  • Number Theory
MC I-B Textbooks
MC I-B Textbooks

Each subject has its own textbook, with 9 chapters covering various topics. Each chapter includes example problems and homework questions (split into quick response and practice problems).

As part of the self-paced course, each chapter has a accompanying video lecture and “quiz” with the homework questions. Quick response questions are automatically graded, and once submitted, students get access to the answers and full solutions to the quick response and practice questions.

Each course also includes a 10th video lecture including practice math contest questions relevant to the subject. This 10th video lecture has a “final quiz” which includes practice questions from the full course.

6 Month Plan

The 6 month plan is divided into 6 months, each consisting of 4 weeks. This means each month you’ll have a few extra days to review or get ahead!

Month 1 (weeks 1-4)

In month 1, you are starting the first subject, Pre-Algebra and Word Problems. Use this first month to get comfortable with both your textbook and the resources on the course site. Be sure you’re practicing the homework problems and checking your answers and solutions! If you want to use algebra to solve some of the problems that’s okay, but be sure to practice the methods taught in the book and video lectures as well.

  1. Watch Pre-Algebra Video Lectures 1+2 and complete the Chapter 1+2 Homework.
  2. Watch Pre-Algebra Video Lectures 3+4 and complete the Chapter 3+4 Homework.
  3. Watch Pre-Algebra Video Lectures 5+6 and complete the Chapter 5+6 Homework.
  4. Watch Pre-Algebra Video Lectures 7+8 and complete the Chapter 7+8 Homework.

Month 2 (weeks 5-8)

In month 2, you’ll finish Pre-Algebra and begin Geometry. The Pre-Algebra Final Quiz is a great way to check and make sure you’re comfortable with the different topics in the course. Be sure to review any questions you missed to reinforce the knowledge you might have forgotten.

The milestone of finishing Pre-Algebra is also a great time to take a Mock AMC 8 exam on the ZIML site. Even if you are not planning on competing in math competitions, the questions provide a good way to track your progress. The Mock AMC exams are available by clicking here. You can login to the ZIML site using the same account you use to access your MC I-B course.

  1. Watch Pre-Algebra Video Lectures 9+10 and complete the Chapter 9 Homework. Begin reviewing for the Pre-Algebra Final Quiz.
  2. Complete the Pre-Algebra Final Quiz. Take a randomized Mock AMC 8 on the ZIML site.
  3. Watch Geometry Video Lectures 1+2 and complete the Chapter 1+2 Homework.
  4. Watch Geometry Video Lectures 3+4 and complete the Chapter 3+4 Homework.

Month 3 (weeks 9-12)

In month 3, you’ll finish Geometry and officially be halfway done with the MC I-AB bundle!

Again, check-in on your progress with a Mock Exam AMC 8 exam on the ZIML site. The Mock exams will feature random problems, so you’ll see different problems this time!

  1. Watch Geometry Video Lectures 5+6 and complete the Chapter 5+6 Homework.
  2. Watch Geometry Video Lectures 7+8 and complete the Chapter 7+8 Homework.
  3. Watch Geometry Video Lectures 9+10 and complete the Chapter 9 Homework. Begin reviewing for the Geometry Final Quiz.
  4. Complete the Geometry Final Quiz. Take a randomized Mock AMC 8 on the ZIML site.

Month 4 (weeks 13-16)

In month 4, you are starting Counting and Probability. A lot of students (and parents!) find this subject confusing, but as long as you are working carefully and logically, you can improve rapidly. Remember you can always write out a few small examples to better understand the scenario given in the problem. Make use of the Online Discussion Forum if you’re stuck!

  1. Watch Counting & Prob. Video Lectures 1+2 and complete the Chapter 1+2 Homework.
  2. Watch Counting & Prob. Lectures 3+4 and complete the Chapter 3+4 Homework.
  3. Watch Counting & Prob. Lectures 5+6 and complete the Chapter 5+6 Homework.
  4. Watch Counting & Prob. Video Lectures 7+8 and complete the Chapter 7+8 Homework.

Month 5 (weeks 17-20)

In month 5, you’ll finish Counting and Probability and (after the usual Final Quiz and Mock AMC 8, you know the drill by now!) you’ll start the final subject of Number Theory. In Number Theory, you’ll learn all about how to break down numbers into pieces, and how this can help you solve problems.

For those of you preparing for an upcoming AMC 8 Exam, month 5 is a good time to start increasing your preparation by solving more real AMC 8 problems. In addition to the Mock Exam, we recommend taking a few recent AMC 8 exams, available in the AMC 8 Archive on ZIML by clicking here.

  1. Watch Counting & Prob. Video Lectures 9+10 and complete the Chapter 9 Homework. Begin reviewing for the Counting & Prob. Final Quiz.
  2. Complete the Counting & Prob. Final Quiz. Take a randomized Mock AMC 8 on the ZIML site.
  3. Watch Number Theory Video Lectures 1+2 and complete the Chapter 1+2 Homework.
  4. Watch Number Theory Video Lectures 3+4 and complete the Chapter 3+4 Homework.

Month 6 (weeks 21-24)

In month 6, you’ll finish up the final subject and complete the MC I-AB Bundle. Only a few more weeks to go!

  1. Watch Number Theory Video Lectures 5+6 and complete the Chapter 5+6 Homework.
  2. Watch Number Theory Video Lectures 7+8 and complete the Chapter 7+8 Homework.
  3. Watch Number Theory Video Lectures 9+10 and complete the Chapter 9 Homework. Begin reviewing for the Number Theory Final Quiz.
  4. Complete the Number Theory Final Quiz. Take a randomized Mock AMC 8 on the ZIML site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to fall behind schedule? Should I try to catch up?

The benefit of following a schedule is that it helps keep you motivated and organized. Sometimes things happen and we fall behind schedule, and that’s okay, as long as it isn’t a regular occurrence. Time permitting it is okay to push back the schedule a week or two. If needed, you can also try to get back on track if you find a certain subject a little easier than others. Planning ahead is key! If you have a big school test coming up next week, try to get ahead before the test, not try to catch up afterwards.

What course comes after Math Challenge I-AB?

The next level after Math Challenge I-AB is Math Challenge I-C. This course covers the fundamental knowledge from Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II that will be needed in more advanced courses. If you have not taken these courses in school, it is a great next step. If you have a lot of experience with these courses, you can try Math Challenge II-A next for a greater challenge.

What else can I do to help prepare for the AMC 8 after taking MC I-AB?

As mentioned in the 6 Month Plan above, practicing with a lot of real AMC 8 questions is a great way to keep preparing for the AMC 8. The ZIML Mock AMC 8 and AMC 8 Archives are both great resources. Be sure when you’re reviewing those problems to go back to your MC I-AB textbooks and Video Lectures for any concepts you need extra help on.

For those wanting to go for a perfect score on the AMC 8, reviewing basic algebra using the first term of Math Challenge I-C can also help!

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