American High School Mathematics Examination

The American High School Mathematics Examination (AHSME) was the first exam in the series of exams used to challenge bright students, grades 12 and below, and after 1973, was used on the path towards choosing the team that represents the United States at the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO).

High scoring AHSME students after 1983 were invited to take the more challenging American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME).

The AHSME replaced the AHSC in 1973.

The AHSME was replaced with the AMC 10 and AMC 12 in 2000.

Format

The AHSME was a 30 question, 90 minute, multiple choice exam (except in 1973, in which it had 35 questions). Problems generally increased in difficulty as the exam progresses. Calculators were not permitted.

For every correct answer: 5 points
For every wrong answer: 0 points
For every problem not answered: 2 points

Curriculum

The AHSME tests mathematical problem solving with arithmetic, algebra, counting, geometry, number theory, and probability and other secondary school math topics. Problems are designed to be solvable by students without any background in calculus and college math

Resources

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Recommended reading

See also