USAMO
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The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) set the standard in the United States for talented high school students of mathematics. The curriculum they test is both comprehensive and modern. The AMC exams are so well designed that some top universities now ask students for their AMC scores.

Art of Problem Solving proudly sponsors the AMC and provides additional funding beyond the Contributors level to expand the USAMO so that more students can now participate.

The United States of America Mathematics Olympiad (USAMO) is the third test in a series of exams used to challenge bright students on the path toward choosing the team that represents the United States at the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO).

The USAMO is best approached by students with a command of the material covered in Algebra, Geometry, Number Theory, Counting Methods, Probability, and a host of rigorous methods such as induction and proof by contradiction. Students who do well on the USAMO have considerable experience both solving highly challenging problems and writing proofs.

The USAMO is an invitation only proof type examination administered to approximately 250 of the best and brightest students from the U.S. and Canada. Qualification is based on AMC 10, AMC 12, and AIME scores. No calculators are allowed on this two day, 9 hour exam (two 4.5 hour sessions). All six questions can be solved using precalculus methods, but an extensive understanding of the material and creative thinking is essential to performing well.

Each response is assessed for correctness, completeness, and clarity and is subsequently awarded between 0 and 7 points, with a total maximum score of 42 points. The top 12 students are invited to an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., and six of them are later selected to form the United States IMO team. These students and a number of other top scorers from the USAMO are invited to participate in the Math Olympiad Summer Program (MOSP), a challenging 3 to 4 week math program for the brightest students in the country.

Resources for USAMO Participants and Hopefuls:

The Art of Problem Solving Volume 2 is a textbook written to help students learn how to solve problems from the AIME as well as many on the Olympiad level. AoPS also offers USA Mathematical Olympiads 1972-1986, a collection of past USAMO problems by Murray Klamkin. Order information can be found here. Take a look at our other book recommendations.

Art of Problem Solving also offers a number of courses that help students gain a foothold on the curriculum and techniques tested by the USAMO and improve their test scores. For students who are ready for the challenge of the USAMO, we offer Olympiad level classes. Our Intermediate level classes and programs are designed for students who can answer anywhere from 2 to 10 problems on the typical AIME, but are certain to qualify for it, though there are PreTests and PostTests for the subject classes that help students identify their needs. Interested students, parents, and teachers can view enrollment information to these courses here.

AoPS also hosts a unique program sponsored by both D.E. Shaw group. The Worldwide Online Olympiad Training (WOOT) program is a 7-month Olympiad preparation and testing program designed to challenge the kinds of students interested in learning how to solve and write solutions to Olympiad problems. Instructors include winners, medalists, and high scorers from the USAMO, the IMO, and other Olympiads as well as past and present coaches of some national IMO teams. Most high school students returning from the 2006 MOSP and many other USAMO hopefuls are currently enrolled.

AoPS resources include a vast and continually updated database of Olympiad problems with solutions as well as a series of articles by Richard Rusczyk and Mathew Crawford on How to Write a Solution that serves as a guide for talented students with limited experience writing proofs.

AopS also hosts a highly active AMC Forum. Registration in our forums is free!

Recently, numerous USAMO winners and IMO medalists have taken classes with AoPS. If you have any questions about our programs, email us at classes@artofproblemsolving.com.