After this post, you will know how to optimize your performance on the AMC.

Now, this advice is purely based on my own experiences and observations but nevertheless I hope you guys find it helpful.

I actually think that most advice regarding what mindset to equip for the AMCs are rarely helpful. On AoPS, the most conventionally-accepted advice goes along the lines of “Don’t stress too much,” “Sit back and enjoy these problems,” “At the end of the day, it’s not the results but the learning that matters the most.”

While these advice are admirable, you’re probably thinking “Well, that sounds good, but… I’m still more concerned about the results…” While those advice apply to some people - specifically those that do math solely for the fun and not the results - for the vast majority of us, we haven’t reached that level of appreciation yet for math. In this post, my advice will pertain to the others thereof: how do I effing maximize my chances of getting a score of [insert goal here].

There is, in fact, a key secret to the mental preparation for the AMCs that’s often overlooked. For readers of this blog, you get it for A PRICE OF $99.99 COMMENT BELOW WITH ALL YOUR CREDIT CARD INFO INCLUDING PASSWORD AND WE WILL SHIP IT TO YOU TOMORROW! free!

It is stress!

What in the world? you ask.

All your life you’ve probably heard Don’t stress too much,” “Find ways to de-stress,” etc. and naturally then you categorize stress as antagonistic to success on the AMCs.

In reality, it’s the opposite, and so much more.

Quick fact check: where did stress come from?

Stress develops as a result of the fight-and-flight response, evolutionarily in situations of confrontation. The blood vessels dilate, your pulse quickens, sweat beads down your neck. All of these are done in preparation for the big encounter. In other words, stress is an evolutionary tool to gear you up for life-and-death situations.

In modern society, such primitive traits are neglected and labelled as unhealthy, bad, etc. People who think so do have a point - people who constantly stress do increase their rates for heart attacks and shorten their life spans. But another fact is overlooked - it’s been medically proven that those who stress a lot but think stress is “good” for your body not only avoids shorter life spans and heart attacks, but register a number of other benefits like closer relationships, increased pain tolerance, and higher performance.

The thing is, stress is a double-edged sword. If you constantly are trying to repel it, it will bother you come test time and become a burden. If you openly accept it and recognize its ability to elevate your sharpness to its optimal, your body will work with it and accumulate its benefits.

This is also why basketball players like trash-taking. By shouting out unsubstantiated claims, the player increases the weight held against him in such situations, which forces his body to adjust by bringing out his absolute best. In everyday life, this is exhibited by the higher level of excitement you feel when you’re around your friends as opposed to being alone. When you’re around familiars, your body performs at a higher level due to weight held against you in the form of your reputation being dependent on how you behave around your friends.

It is said that Michael Jordan, during one of his highest scoring nights, during time out told his defender exactly what he was going to do in the next possession (crossover, drive to baseline, pull up and shoot a fadeaway), before doing exactly as he said. When this story came out, it no doubt added to his greatness. But on the other hand, if he had missed, things would’ve went on just fine. In other words, trash-talking is the act of deciding that by adding weight to whatever task you’re doing, the benefit you get from achieving it outweighs the negative effects on your reputation. Once you can persuade yourself to do that, it will allow you to truly perform optimally.

One of my favorite examples of this kind of mindset is this shot made during the playoffs made by Damian Lillard. Most people in that situation would’ve lost hope: less than one second on the shot clock and down by 2? Damian Lillard, on the other hand, recognized the fact that he had nothing to lose. Even if he missed, which is likely, they still had a game 7. Most people in that situation would’ve caught the ball and frantically shot it in the form of a last-second prayer. We all know what it’s like - when you purposely exaggerate the difficulty of your task to save yourself some face if you fail. This is completely absurd reasoning for the highest achievers. For Damian Lillard, this is his opportunity to show the world what he’s all about! Of course then, he’s going to run exuberantly towards the ball in order to shoot it.

On the AMC, therefore, convince yourself that by taking the test, you have the opportunity to take yourself to the next level (call this mindset A), NOT that it’s an obligation or a potential risk to your reputation (call this mindset B). Think of it this way: at school, I’m sure you guys have been apart of many relays (either in swimming or running). At the end, there’s always that fastest guy who has to carry his team. Say his team is trailing the other team by half a lap. The guy at the front, who has to last out long enough to win for his team, will be humiliated if he ends up losing. He is convinced, thereof, that he is under a lot of pressure and stress (he has the mindset B). The fast guy, on the other hand, has nothing to lose. Even if he doesn’t catch up, it will be understandable as he’s at a disadvantage (he has mindset A). This difference in mentality, I conjecture, is why in most cases the fast guy wins.

Sure, Michael Jordan missed more game-winners than he made, but at the end of the day, who remembers those missed shots? It’s those made shots that elevate him to the greats of history.

So as you’re in school, staring at the clock while fidgeting in your seats while waiting for dooms-hour, don’t try to fight your nerves. Enjoy it. Recognize that your body is preparing you for the big occasion. Add some weight to your task by asking your crush, “If I get above [insert score] on the AMC, can I ask you out?” Bathe in glory if you do. Otherwise just laugh it off and life moves on.

Wish all best of luck on the AMC!