Posted by In an email newsletter sent to student’s today, the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) has announced some exciting news for the 2021-22 school year. The highlights:
- The AMC 10 and 12 competitions will be held in November 2021.
- The AMC 8 competition will be held in January 2022.
- Ongoing support for taking the competitions online.
- Continued efforts to get underrepresented groups interested in math and STEM.
Competition Dates are Changing
The spring has always been a busy time for students competing in the MAA high school math competitions. In past years, the AMC 10+12, AIME, and USA(J)MO competitions all took place within a span of two or three months. As the AIME and USA(J)MO competitions are invitational competitions, there was often not much time between learning you qualified to take the AIME and the exam date. (Learn more about the AMC 10+12 and qualifying for AIME here.) With the AMC 10 and 12 moving to November, there will now be more time for grading, feedback, and preparation for the AIME and USA(J)MO exams.
The AMC 8 is the first introduction to the MAA’s competitions for many students, so moving the competition to January gives them more time during the school year to prepare. As many middle school students want to do well on the AMC 8 before taking the AMC 10, this shift also gives students the summer to shift from focusing on the AMC 8 to the AMC 10.
Ongoing Online Support and Outreach
Out of necessity, the AMC competitions moved online during the end of the 2020 competition season. Moving forward, students will continue to have access to the contests online, cutting down on shipping fees for schools and streamline the paperwork for everyone.
The expansion of online access also grew with MAA’s M-Powered site, featuring online resources and events for students and teachers. This site will continue the ongoing initiative to get more students of all backgrounds interested in math competitions.