The AMC 8 Guide for Parents
Dates, registration, scores and a prep plan for the 2027 AMC 8®, written for families doing it for the first time.
Updated October 8, 2026
What is the AMC 8?
The AMC 8 is the Mathematical Association of America's math contest for middle school students: 25 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes, taken at school (or a nearby testing site) once a year in January. It rewards clever thinking more than advanced math, and for many students it's the first step toward the AMC 10, AMC 12 and math competitions in high school.
The guides
Quick answers
- When: January 21–27, 2027; each school picks a day. Dates and registration
- How to sign up: through your child's school or a testing site; families can't register directly.
- Scoring: one point per correct answer, no penalty for guessing.
- A good score: 13+ is above average; Honor Roll took 21 in 2026. Cutoffs by year
- How to prepare: 20–30 minutes a day of timed practice and redoing mistakes. The 11-week plan
Practice for the AMC 8 on iPhone and iPad
Contest Math Pro: 538 original practice tests, 19,000+ problems, a Mistake Bank and parent reports. No ads, and the AI coach is tap-only: kids can't type to it. Free to start.
AMC 8® is a registered trademark of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). Contest Math Pro is not affiliated with or endorsed by the MAA. For official rules and dates, see the MAA American Mathematics Competitions.