Montana State to host national mathematics contests for high school students on Nov. 5 and 13

BOZEMAN - Montana high school students eager to excel at advanced mathematics are invited to register for free mathematics contests set for Wednesday, Nov. 5, and Thursday, Nov. 13, at Montana State University. Exams are administered in person on campus in Bozeman, and results are submitted online and measured against a national competition pool.

The American Mathematics Competition 10/12 contests, hosted by MSU's Science Math Resource Center in the College of Education, Health and Human Development, were developed by the Mathematical Association of America. The competition series provides an opportunity for high school students to develop improved analytical thinking, problem-solving and advanced mathematics skills.

The AMC 10 exam covers the high school mathematics curriculum through grade 10. AMC 12 covers high school math including trigonometry, advanced algebra and advanced geometry, but excluding calculus. Both exams are 25 questions, multiple choice, and administered in 75 minutes.

The AMC 10 and 12 tests to be given on Nov. 5 (called Test A) and Nov. 13 (Test B) have the same scoring and rules of administration. Test A and Test B examinations are designed to be equal in difficulty and distribution of topics, but the questions are unique to each exam. Students may register for either contest, or both.

Students through 10th grade and under 17 1/2 years old are eligible to participate in AMC 10; students through 12th grade and under 19 1/2 years old may participate in AMC 12. Students who score among the top national participants will be invited to take the American Invitational Mathematics Examination. Top scorers will also receive gift cards.

Competitions are challenging yet presented in a friendly and supportive environment. Organizers hope the contests will help students gain self-confidence, recognize their talents and foster a love for mathematics.

Registration is free for Montana students and is open until Oct. 29 for the Nov. 5 tests and until Nov. 5 for the Nov. 13 tests. For more information, visit https://www.montana.edu/smrc/stem-outreach/math-circle/american-mathematics-competitions.html or contact the MSU Science Math Resource Center at [email protected] or 406-994-7476.