Australian Mathematics Competition Common Mistakes
Many students lose marks on the AMC not from a lack of knowledge, but from simple errors in their approach. Avoiding these common pitfalls can significantly improve your score.
Errors in Strategy and Calculation
- Guessing on the last five questions (26-30). Leave the answer blank if unsure; incorrect answers here deduct points from your score.
- Misinterpreting the question's wording. Read each question twice and underline key conditions and exactly what is being asked.
- Making a calculation error in an early step. Double-check your arithmetic, especially when a problem seems simple or the numbers are large.
- Overlooking simple cases or constraints. Consider edge cases like zero, one, or negative numbers if the problem allows for them.
- Spending too much time on one difficult question. If you are stuck after a few minutes, mark it and move on. Return later if you have time.
- Assuming a diagram is drawn to scale. Rely only on the information given in the text, not the appearance of a diagram.