What is AIME?
The American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) is a 15-question, 3-hour, invitation-only exam organised by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). It's the second stage in the US olympiad pathway — between the open AMC 10/12 and the elite USAMO/USAJMO.
Unlike AMC, AIME can't be registered for directly — an invitation is earned by scoring above the qualifying cutoff on the AMC 10 or AMC 12. Its problems are significantly harder, testing deep, multi-step reasoning rather than quick recognition.
Eligibility Criteria
- No direct application — invitation-only via AMC 10/12 score
- Qualify via AMC 10: roughly top 2.5–8% nationally
- Qualify via AMC 12: roughly top 5–15% nationally
- Students who qualify via the A paper sit AIME I; via the B paper sit AIME II
- No age or grade restriction beyond AMC 10/12 eligibility
Quick Facts
| Organised by | Mathematical Association of America (MAA) |
| Exam mode | In-person, through your AMC testing center |
| Exam months | AIME I – February · AIME II – March |
| Registration | Automatic invitation; confirm via testing center |
| Calculators | Not permitted |
Exam Pattern and Scoring
- Format: 15 questions, integer-answer only (000–999)
- Duration: 3 hours
- No multiple-choice options — free-response with a 3-digit numeric answer
- Calculators are not allowed
- Correct answer: 1 point
- Wrong or blank answer: 0 points
- Maximum score: 15 points
- Problems escalate sharply — early questions are AMC 12-level, later ones far harder
What Comes After AIME?
AIME is the bridge between AMC and the USA's elite olympiad rounds. Combined AMC + AIME scores (the "AIME index") determine who advances:
| USAJMO | Top performers via the AMC 10 + AIME index (Junior olympiad) |
| USAMO | Top performers via the AMC 12 + AIME index (Senior olympiad) |
| Next stage | MOP (Math Olympiad Summer Program) → US IMO team selection |
AIME Syllabus / Topics Covered
AIME builds on the AMC 10/12 syllabus but pushes deeper — many topics aren't taught in standard school curricula and need dedicated preparation.
Advanced Algebra
- Polynomials & the Factor/Remainder theorems
- Sequences & series
- Complex numbers
- Symmetric functions, binomial theorem
Advanced Geometry
- Circles, triangle centers
- Coordinate & solid geometry
- Trigonometric identities
- Area & volume in complex figures
Deep Number Theory
- Modular arithmetic
- Diophantine equations
- Base conversions
- Divisibility & prime factorization
Counting & Probability
- Advanced counting techniques
- Conditional probability
- Recursion & casework
Exam Date & Registration
- AIME I is held in February; AIME II in March
- There's no open registration — MAA sends an invitation directly if you qualify
- You must confirm your invitation through your AMC testing center by the given deadline
- Qualifiers can take only one of AIME I or II, based on which AMC version (A or B) they cleared
What to Do If You Qualify
Why AIME Matters
🏅 Rare, High-Value Recognition
Just qualifying for AIME already puts a student in a small national percentile — even a modest score is a genuine achievement.
📈 Gateway to USAMO/USAJMO
Strong AIME performance is the only path to the USA's elite olympiad rounds and eventual IMO team selection.
🎓 Major College Application Signal
AIME qualification is one of the most recognised STEM achievements for competitive US and global university admissions.
🧠 Builds Olympiad-Level Depth
Prepares students for sustained, multi-step problem-solving — a skill that also strengthens JEE Advanced and Olympiad math.
Join Our AIME Preparation Program
Whether you're just beginning your Olympiad journey or aiming for a top score, our structured AIME program is designed to help students build deep conceptual understanding and effective problem-solving skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register for AIME directly?
No — AIME is invitation-only. You must first score above the qualifying cutoff on the AMC 10 or AMC 12.
What's the difference between AIME I and AIME II?
Same format and difficulty — the only difference is timing. Which one you sit depends on whether you qualified via the AMC A or B paper.
How is AIME different from AMC?
AIME has no multiple-choice options — you write a 3-digit integer answer (000–999) — and the problems demand much deeper, multi-step reasoning.
What's a good AIME score?
Scores of 5–8 out of 15 are already solid; higher scores (combined with your AMC score) put you in range for USAMO/USAJMO consideration.
How can Scholars Foundation help me prepare?
We offer focused AIME batches with advanced topic coverage, timed mock papers, and WhatsApp doubt support — message us for current batch timings.