Exam Content
- The 2026 American Masters of Mathematics competition will consist of a single 4.5-hour exam with five (5) proof-based problems.
- Each problem is worth seven (7) points. The scoring will be similar to that of the International Mathematical Olympiad, meaning that solving a single problem completely will generally be worth more than making progress on several problems.
- The contest will include problems representing a wide range of difficulty levels, with some problems at a typical Olympiad level and some more accessible problems.
- The syllabus provides guidance on the topics that can appear on the exam.
Entry Procedures and Permitted Items
- The organizers will provide blank sheets of paper, which you may use as scratch paper or additional sheets for your answer submissions.
- The organizers will provide water, light snacks, and napkins.
- You may bring your own writing implements, ruler, and compass.
- All contestants must pass a screening process in order to participate in the exam.
- Arrive with empty pockets for screening at entry. All personal items, such as hotel keys, ID cards, medication, and personal care items, should fit within a tournament-issued clear plastic bag. Other items are generally not permitted, and may not be brought into the exam hall.
- Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
- Protractors
- Books, notes, or material with writing of any kind
- Clocks
- Outside food and drinks
- Electronic devices of any kind, including, but not limited to: cell phones, calculators, music players, smart glasses, smart watches, and headphones or earpieces
- The organizers may exclude other items on a case-by-case basis. Contestants are encouraged to contact the organizers to provide advance notice of any potentially unusual items.
- Hats are not allowed.
Answer Submission Requirements
- At the start of the exam, you will be issued a four-digit ID number for labeling your answers. Answer forms are preprinted with your ID number and the problem numbers.
- You may write your answers on the answer forms. If you run out of space, you may write your answers on the additional blank sheets, which will be provided by the organizers. If you choose to use additional blank sheets, you must label each sheet clearly with your ID number and the problem number. Keep separate problems on separate pages.
- Do not write your name or any other personally identifying information — aside from your four-digit ID number — on the answer pages.
- Write your answers in English sentences following usual mathematical conventions. Equations and illustrations are welcome, but usually need to be explained in words. Cross out material that you do not want to have considered.
- Your proofs may rely on known facts. Describe the facts that you are relying on. Facts listed in the TOTAL document may be relied on without proof or citation. Other known results will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the grading team. If an advanced result that is not in the TOTAL document trivializes a problem, using it without proof is unlikely to earn a full score.
Timing and Conclusion of the Exam
- The Head Proctor is solely responsible for determining and announcing the end time of the exam, superseding any clocks, timers, or calls made by other persons in the exam room.
- Over the course of the exam, the Head Proctor will occasionally announce the time remaining. The remaining time will also be displayed prominently throughout the exam period.
- When the Head Proctor announces that time has expired, you must immediately put down your writing instrument and remain silent.
- You will be given verbal instructions for how to assemble your answers for submission. Pay close attention to the instructions and follow each step carefully.
- You may discuss the problems as soon as all of the answers have been collected. A signal will be given.
- Other materials related to the exam will be collected separately, including blank paper, scratch paper, and unused exam materials.
- Problem sheets will be available as you exit the exam room. Please wait to discuss or share the problems with the outside world until the organizers have officially released the problems via the OMEGA website. We expect to release the problems at approximately 3:00 pm Mountain Time after the exam.
- Following the completion of the exam, you will attend an appointed review session to discuss your solution(s) with a team of reviewers. Missing your review session will deem your participation in the competition as incomplete.
Qualification and Awards
- Eligibility for the competition is based on truthful application information and honorable performance in the course of the competition.
- The organizers reserve the right to disqualify contestants and nullify awards for any actions, words, or behavior deemed inappropriate, with or without record of such action, words, or behavior, including but not limited to: failure to comply with proctor instructions, conduct unbecoming of an honorable contestant, possession of a prohibited item, and endangering the safety and security of others. The organizers are permitted to include in their deliberation any actions, words, and behavior that may have occurred before, during, or after the exam.
- Contestants will be awarded recognition based on their performance on the exam.
- Tiered awards will be given to a large number of students: Gold medals will be awarded to the top tier of performers; Silver medals will be awarded to the next tier of performers; and Bronze medals will be awarded to the third tier of performers.
- The organizers may elect to award a select number of Honorable Mention recipients, chosen for their notable performance on the exam.
- Each tiered award recipient will be given the opportunity to receive a medal ribbon and a cash prize; eligibility requirements apply. Eligibility requirements include: being physically present to receive the medal; submitting the required paperwork in a timely fashion for the cash prize; and the submission of complete and truthful application and registration information.
- Each tiered award will carry the following cash prize amounts: Gold medal recipients will be eligible to receive $3,000; Silver medal recipients will be eligible to receive $2,000; and Bronze medal recipients will be eligible to receive $1,500.
- A contestant may still receive recognition as a tiered award recipient without receiving the medal and/or cash prize.
- The organizers may choose to award Special Creativity Prizes and/or a Brilliancy Prize for submissions that are deemed solely by the organizers as brilliant, creative, and/or elegant.
- Sometime after the event, contestants will receive their total exam score and a score for each problem.
- While we do not expect to publish individual scores, the organizers may publish the general performance results of all participants, including a list of all registered contestants, tiered award recipients, and contestants who were disqualified or unable to complete the competition.
STAY IN TOUCH
Be sure to sign up for the OMEGA mailing list to stay informed. Keep an eye on your email for important announcements, opportunities, and updates as the AMM weekend approaches.
Should you have any questions, you may email amm @ omegausa.org.