Eagle Era

Why students are embracing the challenge, and what they hope to gain from it

By Keerthi Vasudevan

Each fall, the AHS campus hums with anticipation as students prepare for the AMC 10. The American Math Competition (AMC) is one of the most respected exams in the nation, and the number of students who have taken it each year has been steadily increasing at AHS. 

Most students prepare for months, but the few weeks leading up to the exam are extremely stressful. This is the time when you can spot the most students around campus huddled over past exams, number theory puzzles, and other mathematical diagrams. 

Going deeper into preparation, students have various methods of getting ready to take the AMC 10. Hrudya Namburu (9) says that she likes to “study from practice books for a few hours each day,” and “review past exams,” while Holly Fan (9) mentions that she “took summer classes at AOPS,” and asks her sister to help her after dinner thrice a week. 

Both students also hope to gain different things from taking this test. “ I want to grow as a person,” says Namburu. She talked about how she initially got into doing the AMC for her parents, but now hopes that taking the test will help her gain a better attitude towards learning as a whole. Namburu goes on to say that she has “learned determination, perseverance, and patience while preparing for this exam,” since she had to “do it all alone with no one pushing her”.

On the other hand, Holly Fan (9) believes that the AMC has nothing to do with building character. “I’ve become more comfortable with different math topics,” she explains, “my math skills have improved, but that’s really it”. Fan talks about how she used to be lost in Geometry but now she is “comfortable answering most questions”.

When test day arrived, AHS students were numb with both excitement and nervousness. “I want to get into AIME, because I am really interested in math,” mentions Fan. For many like her, test day is of utmost importance. Their score on the AMC 10 determines whether or not they can make AIME, or the American Invitational Mathematics Examination. A strong score  of the AMC means that hard work paid off, and qualifies them to take this test next. 

At AHS, the AMC has also become a bonding experience for young students. Going to classes together, lunch study sessions in the library, or group studies at Suju’s Coffee have all been ways that students around campus prepared themselves for the exam. 

Whether or not students make it to the AIME rounds, their participation represents the commitment to an intellectual challenge. Students left the test room, some energized, some disappointed, some just happy to be done. But ultimately, over the course of the past few months, they’ve tested their limits and pushed themselves to be the best they can be. They leave with more than just a score: a sense of accomplishment, confidence in their academic ability, and new skills developed.