There are several types of rounds in ABMC. All rounds consist of problems ordered of increasing difficulty. Earlier problems are representative of a rigorous middle school curriculum. Later problems include basic concepts from high school mathematics. The hardest problems are designed to be challenging for all participants.
Nevertheless, all problems are solvable via clever or elementary methods. A familiarity with arithmetic and algebra is sufficient to solve a sizable portion of the problems.
Individual Rounds
For individual rounds, only the top 3 individual scores will count towards the team score.
Earlier problems involve simple arithmetic, algebraic, and geometric concepts. Later problems require more insight.
Speed Round
The speed round is 25 questions (100 points total), with all questions worth 4 points. This round is 30 minutes long.
Accuracy Round
The accuracy round consists of 11 problems (100 points total). Harder problems are worth more points than easier ones. The test is 40 minutes long.
The last question (#11) does not count for points in the accuracy round. It is an estimation question where students will try to estimate the answer to a question that is almost impossible to compute exactly. (Example: How many primes are there between 0 and 2026!). Ties in the accuracy round will be broken using the answer to this question.
Team Round
The team round is quite different than team rounds in standard math competitions. The entire test will not be given at once; rather, problems will be handed out in sets of 3. Only when a previous set has been passed in will a team receive the next set.
At the signal, a designated “runner” is sent up to collect the first set of problems and bring them back to his/her team. Once the team has completed that set, the runner goes back up, drops off the answers, and returns with a new set.
There are a total of 7 sets of 3 problems followed by one estimation question at the end. The questions for the team round are weighted with the following scores (for every question in each set):
1st set: 8 points
2nd set: 10 points
3rd set: 12 points
4th set: 15 points
5th set: 16 points
6th set: 18 points
7th set: 21 points
Finally, in the eighth set, there is a single estimation problem worth 20 points. Your estimation round score with be calculated using a formula comparing how close your answer is to the actual answer, ranging from 0 to 20.
Partial credit is not given for any of the problems throughout the competition except for the estimation problem in the last round. The problems increase in order of difficulty, starting with simple mathematical concepts, and increasing to mid-AIME level problems in the final sets. The entire round lasts 60 minutes and is worth 320 points.
Tie-breakers
In the speed round, the tie-breaker questions, in order of consideration, are #25, #24, #23, … , #1. If two contestants correctly answer exactly the same questions on the speed round, we break the tie via scores in the accuracy round.
When two contestants tie in the accuracy round, the winner of the tie is the contestant whose answer to the tie-breaker question (#11) is closest to the actual answer. Note that this question only serves the purpose of breaking ties between two identical scores, and is not work any points.
If two individuals tie overall, the tie is broken by considering the accuracy round score. In the rare case when two teams are tied overall, team round scores will be compared, following by the highest performing individual scorer.
Scoring
For each individual rounds, only the top 3 individual scores in a team count towards the overall team score. This means that teams of 4 do not necessarily have an advantage over teams of 3. The point distribution for the rounds is as follows:
- Speed round – 100 points (300 points per team)
- Accuracy round – 100 points (300 points per team)
- Team round – 320 points
The total score for a team is calculated by adding the speed, accuracy, and team score (the maximum possible score is 920 points).
Team Size
Teams must consist of 2-4 individuals from grade 8 or below.
Prizes from ABMC and Sponsors
Prizes include
- Free FrostMath classes
- TI-30 XS calculators
- AoPS coupons
- Wolfram Notebook subscriptions
- Jane Street T-Shirts
Puzzle Rounds
Puzzle rounds will be held during lunch time. This includes fun games like playing against a chess Candidate Master, and small prizes will be awarded!
Allowed Materials
The only allowed materials are pencils, pens, and erasers.
Compasses, rulers, protractors, calculators, electronic devices, books, and notes are not allowed. Scratch paper will be provided at the contest.
Forms of Answers
All answers must be expressed as an integer between 0 and 100,000.
Protests
To protest a question, please give a written sheet of paper clearly explaining why you think that an answer or problem was incorrect to a proctor. The validity of a protest is left to the ABMC staff, whose decision is final.
Liability
By attending ABMC, contestants agree to respect the facility and others at the event. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. The voluntary release form also must be signed for each competitor. Competitors must also sign a photo release form.
