AMC 8 Eligibility 2027: Age, Grade, and Registration Rules
Updated: 13 hours ago
The 2027 AMC 8 is scheduled for January 21–27, 2027. To participate, a student must be in Grade 8 or below and under 15.5 years old on the day they take the competition. Registration is handled through an approved host site or, in participating international locations, an MAA AMC partner.
AMC 8 Eligibility at a Glance
Requirement | 2026–27 rule |
Grade | Grade 8 or below; younger students may participate if they meet the age rule. |
Age | Under 15.5 years old on the student’s competition day. |
Competition window | January 21–27, 2027. |
Attempts | One AMC 8 attempt during Competition Week. |
Format | 25 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes. |
For the official eligibility overview, see the MAA’s
Age and Grade Requirements
Grade: 8 or below
A student must be in Grade 8 or a lower grade. There is no stated minimum grade; younger students can take the AMC 8 if they also meet the age limit.
Age: under 15.5 on the day of the competition
The age limit is checked on the day the student takes the AMC 8. A student who is 15.5 years old or older on that day does not meet the published “under 15.5” requirement. If a birthday falls during Competition Week, confirm the student’s specific test date with the Competition Manager.
2026–27 Registration Dates
The 2026–27 registration calendar is for Competition Managers and host sites. Students should ask their school or test site about its own sign-up process, fees, and cutoffs.
MAA deadline | 2026–27 details |
October 28, 2026 | Early-bird host-site registration deadline ($55 site registration fee). |
January 5, 2027 | Regular deadline ($75); final deadline for new Competition Managers. |
January 14, 2027 | Late deadline ($115), for returning Competition Managers only. |
January 21–27, 2027 | AMC 8 Competition Week. |
January 26, 2027 | Additional bundles deadline; orders are due by 11:59 p.m. the day before the scheduled test. |
Check the live MAA registration page for updates. Site-registration fees above are not a statement of what an individual student may be charged by a host site.
How Registration Works
United States and Canada
Students and parents do not register directly with the MAA. Ask the student’s school whether it is hosting the AMC 8. If not, look for a participating school, college or university, math circle, or learning center, then contact its Competition Manager. MAA’s current registration page also provides a public list of registered sites.
Outside the United States and Canada
For the 2026–27 cycle, international participation is available through schools registered with MAA AMC International partners. Students register through the International Group Leader (IGL) serving their country. Check the current country and school information on the
MAA AMC International page before making plans; availability is not universal.
Participation Rules to Know
A student may take the AMC 8 only once during Competition Week.
The current MAA manual requires an approved in-person host site; remote proctoring is not allowed.
Calculators, phones, smartwatches, computing devices, compasses, protractors, and graph paper are prohibited under the current manual.
The manual lists writing utensils, blank scratch paper, rulers, and erasers as permitted materials.
Read the current MAA AMC 8 Teacher’s Manual and confirm instructions with the Competition Manager, since MAA may update rules.
Interactive Eligibility Checklist
Check each item as you confirm it. This tool is for planning; the MAA and the Competition Manager determine eligibility and registration.
AMC 8 Eligibility FAQ
Can a student younger than Grade 8 take the AMC 8?
Yes. The grade rule is Grade 8 or below, so younger students may participate if they also meet the age requirement.
How old can a student be on test day?
The student must be under 15.5 years old on the day they take the competition. “Under 15.5” is a strict limit; confirm an edge case with the Competition Manager.
Can a student take the AMC 8 more than once during the week?
No. Students may take the AMC 8 only once during Competition Week, even if another site offers it on a different day.
Can students register directly with the MAA?
No. Students and parents do not register directly with the MAA. In the United States and Canada, contact a participating school or other eligible host site and follow its instructions.
Can students outside the United States and Canada participate?
For 2026–27, international participation is through schools registered with an MAA AMC International partner. Students register through the International Group Leader for their country; availability depends on the current country and school list.
Are calculators allowed?
No. The current MAA AMC 8 manual lists calculators and electronic devices among prohibited materials. Check the current manual and your Competition Manager’s instructions before test day.
Can the AMC 8 be taken remotely from home?
The current MAA AMC 8 manual says remote proctoring is not allowed. The Competition Manager will explain the approved test format and location.
Conclusion
Check both eligibility rules first, then confirm registration directly with an approved host site. For the 2027 cycle, use MAA’s live registration page and current rules as the final reference.
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