An 11-Week AMC 8 Prep Plan (Nov 1 – Jan 21)
A week-by-week plan for families starting in November: 20–30 minutes on most days, built around timed practice and fixing mistakes.
Updated October 8, 2026
How the plan works
Three habits move AMC 8 scores more than anything else: practicing under real timing, working on the weakest topic instead of the favorite one, and redoing every missed question until it sticks. This plan is built from those three, for a student with about 20–30 minutes on most days. Start whenever you find it; if you're starting later than November 1, shorten weeks 2–4.
Week 1 (Nov 1–7): Find the starting point
Take one full practice test under real conditions: 25 questions, 40 minutes, no calculator. Write down which topics cost the most points. That's the plan for the next three weeks.
Weeks 2–4 (Nov 8–28): One weak topic a week
Pick the weakest topic each week (counting and probability, number theory, geometry or algebra) and practice it 20–30 minutes a day, plus one Problem of the Day. Short and daily beats long and weekly.
Weeks 5–6 (Nov 29 – Dec 12): First full mocks
One full timed practice test a week. Two days after each, redo every missed question without looking at the solution. Mistakes that come back are the ones to drill.
Weeks 7–9 (Dec 13 – Jan 2): Timing and skipping
One timed mock a week. Practice skipping a hard question and coming back to it, because a question that eats five minutes costs two easy ones. There's no penalty for wrong answers, so never leave a blank.
Week 10 (Jan 3–9): Last two mocks
Two final full practice tests. Spend the rest of the week only on repeat mistakes: the same kind of error twice is the cheapest point to win back.
Week 11 (contest week, from Jan 10): Light and rested
Light review of formulas and favorite shortcuts, plenty of sleep, and one easy warm-up set the day before. No new topics.
Tips that help at every level
- Protect the first 15 questions. They're worth the same as the hard ones, and most lost points there are careless.
- Learn why a wrong answer was tempting. AMC 8 answer choices are built from common mistakes; knowing the trap is how you stop falling for it.
- Keep a list of shortcuts: divisibility rules, common Pythagorean triples, quick ways to count.
- Check the dates. See AMC 8 2027 dates and registration; school signups often close early.
This whole plan is built into Contest Math Pro
A free placement test to find the weak topics, daily workouts aimed at them, timed practice exams, and a Mistake Bank that brings back every missed question with new numbers. Free includes 1 full practice exam; Pro unlocks all 70.
Questions parents ask
How long should my child study for the AMC 8?
About 20–30 minutes on most days for 8–11 weeks works well for most students. Daily short practice beats occasional long sessions.
When should we start preparing for the AMC 8?
Early November leaves about 11 weeks before the late-January contest, which is enough to make a real difference. Starting later still helps: shorten the topic weeks and keep the timed mocks.
How many practice tests should my child take before the AMC 8?
About eight full timed practice tests: one to find the starting point, then one or two a week from late November, plus redoing every missed question.
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.