Began: 1983
Number of Questions: 15
Time Allowed: 3 hours
Type of Exam: Integer answers from 0 to 999
Date Offered: Five weeks after the AMC->10 and AMC->12
Scored: Centrally, at the office of the AMC, Lincoln, Nebraska
Grading: One point for each correct answer and no penalty for incorrect answers
Maximum Score: 15 points
Purpose: Combined with high performance on the AMC->10 or AMC->12, this exam helps identify outstanding pre-collegiate math students, and is used as a measure for selecting USAMO participants.
Material Covered: Noncalculus secondary school mathematics
Participation Selection: All students with a score of at least 100 on the AMC->12 or a score in the top 1% on the AMC->10 are invited to participate.
Cost of Participation: None

The AIME is an intermediate examination between the AMC->10 or AMC->12 and the USAMO. All students with a score of 100 out of a possible 150 on the AMC->12 or a score in the top 1% on the AMC->10 are invited to take the AIME. The AIME is intended to provide further challenge and recognition, beyond that provided by the AMC->10 or AMC->12, to the many high school students in North America who have exceptional mathematical ability. The top scoring USA AMC participants (based on a weighted average) are invited to take the USAMO.

The AIME is a 15 question 3 hour examination in which each answer is an integer number from 0 to 999. The questions on the AIME are much more difficult and students are very unlikely to obtain the correct answer by guessing. As with the AMC->10 and AMC->12 (and the USAMO), all problems on the AIME can be solved by pre-calculus methods. The use of calculators is not allowed.

The AIME provides the exceptional students who are invited to take it with yet another opportunity to challenge their mathematical abilities. Like all examinations, it is but a means towards furthering mathematical development and interest. The real value of the examination is in the learning that can come from the preparation beforehand and from further thought and discussion of the solutions.

AIME Awards

All participants receive a Certificate of Participation.

AIME Sample Questions

Sample 1999 AIME Questions
1999 AIME Answers