AIME Eligibility
The AIME is an invitational exam, meaning students must earn a qualifying score on a prerequisite exam. The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) sets the specific qualification rules each year.
Qualification Path
- Prerequisite Exam
- AMC 10 or AMC 12
- How to Qualify
- Score above a threshold set by the MAA
- Notification
- Schools are notified of qualifying students
- Exam Versions
- AIME I (main) and AIME II (alternate date)
- Grade Level
- No official grade limit, but content is high school level
Further Qualification and Rules
Qualification is based on individual performance on the AMC 10 or AMC 12. The MAA publishes the exact score thresholds after the AMC exams are administered. Students who qualify are invited to take the AIME I. An alternate date, the AIME II, is available for students with official conflicts. Performance on the AIME, combined with AMC 12 scores, is used to select invitees for the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) and USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad (JMO).