Competitions

What is the AMC 8?

The AMC 8 (American Mathematics Competition) is a 25 question, 40 minute, multiple-choice examination in middle school mathematics. It is run by the MAA (Mathematical Association of America), with the intent to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills. Many problems are designed to challenge students and to offer problem solving experiences beyond those provided in most junior high school mathematics classes.

Who can participate?

All the UCI Math Circle participants in Grade 8 and below are eligible to take the AMC 8 test with us. Tickets for the competition can be picked up during the UCI Math Circle Meetings.

Students in Grade 8 and below who are not planning to attend the UCI Math Circle in Fall 2016 should consult the MAA website for a list of additional locations.

Is there a fee for taking the AMC8?

There is a $10 registration fee for taking the test with the UCI Math Circle. You can pay the $10 registration fee in cash or with a check during the UCI Math Circle meetings, and pick up your ticket for the competition.

The money will be used to cover the costs related to the administration of the test. We will purchase an exam booklet for any person that registers for the test hence, if you register and later you choose not to take the exam with us, the registration fee will not be returned.

How can I register for the AMC8?

Please click here to register by October 15, 2016 for the next AMC8 competition. The capacity is limited, so please register as soon as possible.

When will the test be held?

The AMC 8 test will be held on November 15 from 6.15 to 7.30 pm (the test itself will last a duration of 40 minutes) in NS2 1201. We will start the registration procedures promptly at 6.15. The actual test will take place from 6.40 to 7.20 (for a duration of 40 minutes). Click here to view the campus map. We request that students must come early, at approximately 6.15 pm to complete registration prior to the test's commencement.

Where can I find questions from previous competitions?

The AMC8, called the AJHSME until 2000, began in 1985. The Art of Problem Solving website maintains a record of all the previous competitions, from 1985 to present.

How is the test graded?

There are 25 questions on the test. A correct answer scores 1 point. There is no penalty for incorrect or blank answers. All the AMC 8 exams taken in the United States are sent to Lincon, Nebraska for grading.

Intramural Awards

High scoring students are invited to participate in the AMC 10. Moreover,

• A Certificate of Distinction is given to all students who receive a perfect score.
• An AMC 8 Winner Pin is given to the student(s) in each school with the highest score.
• The top three students for each school section will receive respectively a gold, silver, or bronze Certificate for Outstanding Achievement.
• An AMC 8 Honor Roll Certificate is given to all high scoring students.
• An AMC 8 Merit Certificate is given to high scoring students who are in 6th grade or below.

What should I bring?

Please bring writing utensils (B-2 pencils), scratch paper, graph paper, rulers, compass, protractors, and erasers. Calculators are not allowed.

Where can I find additional information?

For more information about the AMC 8, visit American Mathematics Contest 8 website.

2016-2017 Results

Overall Winners

• Senior: Artyom Lisitzyn (Gr. 10, Oxford Academy), 20 (Spring A-level)
• Junior: Andrei Mandelshtam (Gr 8, Vista Verde): 39 (Spring A-level)

International 20+ Certificate Winner

• Junior:
  • Eric Lee, (Gr 7, Corona Del Mar), 28 (Spring O-level)
  • Neel Basu, (Gr. 8, Rancho), 21 (O-level)
  • Surya Subbarao (Gr. 7, Sierra Vista), 20 (Spring O-level)

10-20 Certificate Winners

• Junior:
  • Dhruba Basu (Gr 10, University High)
  • Doyoon Kim (Gr. 8, Orchard Hills)

Next Tournament

Information coming soon!

What is the Tournament of the Towns?

The Tournament of the Towns (ToT) is one of the most open and at the same time most prestigious mathematical contests with participants from over 100 cities in different countries. This tournament differs from other math competitions in that the problems require ingenuity rather than any kind of special knowledge or technical skills. The problems are mostly combinatorial, with an occasional geometry, number theory or algebra problem. They have a different flavor from problems seen in other mathematics competitions, and are usually quite challenging but fun. Some of the problems have become classics, in particular two from the Autumn 1984 paper.

Who can participate?

The Tournament of the Towns is especially good for the students who think deeply but require a lot of time to solve a problem. In this competition, students have 4-5 hours to solve any 3 out of 5- 7 problems. Also, scores are multiplied by a certain coefficient which increases as grade level decreases, up to a maximum of 2 for 7 graders and under. Thus, younger students have a strong advantage in this competition. There are two levels of difficulty in the Tournament of the Towns: A and O. Some problems of Level A are as challenging as problems of the International Mathematical Olympiad. The main purpose of Level O is to attract every student interested in mathematics. However, Level O is still very challenging. There are also two levels of participation: Senior (grade 11-12) and Junior (grades 8-10). The competition is best for students in grades 8-12 but exceptionally strong younger students may also participate.

Structure

There are four competitions every year: O and A level, each in the Fall and in the Spring. Everyone can participate in one or more, up to all four. Everyone's score is the highest of the four. Irvine's score is the sum of the top five participants' scores.

Prizes

Diplomas will be awarded by the Central Committee to students who have achieved high scores (after their papers have been rechecked by the Central Jury). The highest scorers at the Senior level will be invited to the annual international ToT summer conference where they will participate in team research projects.

History

The International Tournament of the Towns was established in the late 1970s in Russia. Professor N. Konstantinov, the inspirational leader and organizer of the Tournament, is also the Chairman of the Central Committee in Moscow. About 100,000 students from 120+ towns and 25 countries participate every year.

ToT in Irvine

While popular in Europe, Tournament of the Towns is slow to make its way in the US. Irvine is only the second US city (after Berkeley) to take part and is noted as one of very few worldwide where it was started by students' initiative.

Yelena Mandelshtam learned of this competition from friends she made at a Summer Math Camp in Russia. While most were accomplished participants of the All-Russian math olympiad, they all kept mentioning ToT as the most interesting contest. She then got an idea to organize it in Irvine, so that Orange County's students could enjoy this type of competition. While not yet on par with some big cities, Irvine has done amazingly well in its very first season.

Past Winners

2015-2016 Winners

Overall Winners

• Senior: Dillon Kanne (Gr. 11, Sage), 18.75 ( A-level)
• Junior: Andrei Mandelshtam (Gr 7, Vista Verde): 24 ( A-level)

International 15-20 Certificate Winner

• Artyom Lisitsyn (Gr. 9, Oxford Academy)17.5 ( A-level)

International 10-15 Certificate Winners

• Junior: Eric Lee (Gr. 5), Neel Basu (Gr. 7, Rancho)

5-10 Certificate Winners

• Junior: Dhruba Basu (Gr 9, University High)

2014-2015 Winners

Overall Winners

• Samuel Reinehr (Gr. 12, Homeschool): 30 (Perfect score on A-level!)
• Junior: Andrei Mandelshtam (Gr 6, Vista Verde): 24

Additional international 15+ Certificate Winners:

• Senior: Jack Sun (Gr. 10, University High), Yelena Mandelshtam (Gr. 12, University High)
• Junior: Artyom Lisitzyn (Gr. 8, Oxford Academy)

10-15 Certificate Winners

• Senior: Jamie Gu (Gr. 11, University High), Dillon Kanne (Gr. 10, Sage)
• Junior: Anthon Than (Gr. 8, Fulton), Eric Lee (Gr. 5), Kieth Bauer (Gr. 5)

5-10 Certificate Winners

• Junior: Jimin Kim (Gr 7, Jeffrey Trail)

2013-2014 Winners

Artyom Lisitzyn (Gr 7, Oxford Academy) is the overall winner of the Fall 2013 tournament, with 24 points at Jr A level!

Perfect scorers O-level

• Jason Ye (Gr 9, University High, Jr)
• Yelena Mandelshtam (Gr 11, University High, Sr)

Additional 15+ certificate winners:

• Yunyang Sun (Gr 9, University High, Sr)
• Haoqin Gu (Gr 10, University High, Sr)
• Jerry Park (Gr 11, University High, Sr)
• Dillon Kanne (Gr 9, Sage Hill, Jr)
• Andrei Mandelshtam (Gr 5, Vista Verde, Jr)

10-15 Certificate Winner

• Angela Dong (Gr 9, University High, Jr)

Questions

Ask Wencai Lui () and/or Rui Han ().

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The "Formula of Unity" olympiad has started! This is a take-home mathematics exams. More details, problems and submission instructions are available on the following website, deadline November 12th. by clicking here. On the bottom of the page, there is an email address of the organizers for general enquiries. You can also address questions to one of the local organizers: Wencai Lui () and Rui Han ().
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