Top 13 Math Competitions for High School Students in 2025-2026

Math competitions let you challenge yourself with problems that go beyond your usual classwork. You learn how to think creatively, spot patterns, and use ideas in flexible ways. These contests also connect you with students who enjoy math and problem-solving as much as you do.

In this blog, you’ll learn about the best math competitions for high school students, what each contest offers, and how they can support your growth as a problem-solver. You’ll also get an overview of each option so you can decide which competitions are worth trying as you explore more advanced math.

• What Are the Best Math Competitions for High School Students?
• American Mathematics Competitions (AMC 10/12)
• American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME)
• USA Math Olympiad (USAMO)
• USA Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS)
• American Regions Mathematics League (ARML)
• Harvard-MIT Math Tournament (HMMT)
• High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM)
• MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge (M3 Challenge)
• Math Prize for Girls
• Continental Mathematics League (CML)
• Math League High School Contest
• Johns Hopkins Math Tournament (JHMT)
• MATHCOUNTS
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Math Competitions for High School Students?

Math competitions give you a chance to push your skills far beyond what you cover in class. They strengthen your problem-solving abilities, sharpen your logical reasoning, and help you become more confident when working through challenging questions. These contests also spark deeper curiosity in math because they expose you to creative, non-standard problems.

Strong performance can lead to scholarships, mentorship opportunities, summer programs, and recognition from top universities.

Below is a quick overview of the 13 leading math competitions for high school students, including their names, general locations, and competition dates.

Let’s break down each competition individually.

1. American Mathematics Competitions (AMC 10/12)

• Dates: November 5, 2025 (10A/12A); November 13, 2025 (10B/12B); AMC 8 on January 28, 2026
• Location: Held at participating schools and test centers worldwide
• Prizes: Certificates and Honor Roll awards; top scorers qualify for AIME and USAMO

The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) are entry-level contests that prepare you for more advanced math challenges. The AMC includes three levels depending on your grade and age: AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12, each with its own cutoff for who can participate.

Strong scores on the AMC 10 or 12 can qualify you for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME), which then leads to the USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO) and USA Math Olympiad (USAMO). Students who continue to excel may advance to programs like the Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP) or even represent the United States at international contests.

You take the AMC at a registered competition site, usually a school, math circle, or university. You don’t register by yourself, but instead, your school or center must sign up with the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and then enroll students.

The contest is a multiple-choice, individual test that rewards flexible thinking and creative approaches. Every participating student receives a certificate.

If you want to learn more about scoring and qualifications, check out our full guide to the American Mathematics Competitions.

2. American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME)

• Dates: February 5, 2026 (AIME I); February 11, 2026 (AIME II)
• Location: Administered at schools and official test centers worldwide
• Prizes: High scorers qualify for USAMO and move further on the Olympiad pathway

The American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME) is the next step for students who score high on the AMC 10 or AMC 12. Unlike the AMC, which is multiple-choice, the AIME asks you to give short numerical answers.

The AIME is part of the pathway that leads to the USAJMO and USAMO. As mentioned earlier, strong scores can qualify you for these Olympiad-level exams, and the highest performers may be invited to the MOP, a summer training camp for top students. Reaching these stages brings national recognition and helps you stand out in college applications.

AIME entry is by invitation only. Participants receive their official rankings from the MAA, which gives them a clear idea of where they stand.

If you want tips on preparing for the competition, check out our detailed guide to the American Invitational Mathematics Examination.

3. USA Math Olympiad (USAMO)

• Dates: March 21–22, 2026
• Location: Official testing sites across the U.S.
• Prizes: Certificates and invitations to MOSP; top scorers may join the IMO team

The USA Math Olympiad (USAMO) is the highest level of the American Mathematics Competitions pathway and one of the toughest math competitions for high school students in the country. You reach this stage by scoring well on the AMC, qualifying for the AIME, and earning an invitation based on your combined results.

Only a small group of students nationwide qualify each year. For the 2024–2025 cycle, only 293 students made it to USAMO, and the average score was just 14.37 out of 42, showing how challenging the exam is.

What sets USAMO apart is its focus on proof-based problem-solving, which requires you to write full explanations that show every part of your reasoning. The contest requires you to work on six proof problems total. Most students don’t fully solve every question, but even partial solutions earn credit if your reasoning is clear.

Top scorers receive certificates, honorable mentions, and invitations to MOP, which involves the strongest problem-solvers in the country. The best MOP students earn the chance to represent the United States at the International Math Olympiad (IMO), the highest achievement in high school mathematics.

If you want more insight into the process, read our complete guide to USAMO.

4. USA Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS)

• Dates: October 7, 2025 (Round 1 deadline); December 1, 2025 (Round 2 deadline); Round 3: TBA
• Location: Online
• Prizes: Books, software prizes, and USAMTS shirts for high-ranking participants

The USA Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS) is a national, proof-based competition that gives U.S. middle and high school students weeks to think through challenging problems. Each round includes five problems (one puzzle and four proof questions), and you can use books, calculators, and online references as long as all the work and writing are completely your own.

Problems are posted online, and students submit their work through the USAMTS website. After submission, volunteer graders provide individualized feedback, which helps you improve your proof-writing skills throughout the year.

About 45% of participants earn awards, including math books, software subscriptions, and the USAMTS T-shirt, with top scorers getting priority in prize selection. Scoring 68 out of 75 or higher automatically qualifies you for the AIME, and some top performers may earn invitations to the USAJMO or USAMO.

If you want a clearer picture of what to expect, read our detailed guide to USAMTS.

5. American Regions Mathematics League (ARML)

• Dates: May 30–31, 2025
• Location: Four sites: University of Iowa, Penn State, University of Nevada–Reno, University of Alabama–Huntsville
• Prizes: Cash awards and trophies for top-performing teams

The American Regions Mathematics League (ARML) is one of the most exciting team-based math competitions for high school students. Those in Grade 12 and below join a regional team of 15 participants and compete at university campuses across the U.S.

The event happens on the weekend after Memorial Day. You take part in several rounds, including the individual round, team round, relay round, and the proof-focused Power Round.

Top teams receive gold, silver, or bronze medals, and additional awards go to the best Power Round team and the group that shows the strongest spirit, sportsmanship, and collaboration.

Since ARML is a team-only competition, you need to qualify through your region’s selection process. Some teams choose students based on AMC or AIME scores, while others hold tryouts or use results from local math leagues.

If you want to understand how ARML teams are formed and what coaches look for, check out our complete guide to the ARML.

6. Harvard-MIT Math Tournament (HMMT)

• Dates: November 8, 2025 (Harvard); February 14, 2026 (MIT)
• Location: Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Prizes: Individual and team awards across overall, test, team, and guts rounds

The Harvard–MIT Math Tournament (HMMT) is one of the most competitive high school math contests in the world. Run by student volunteers from Harvard and MIT, it brings together talented problem-solvers from the U.S. and abroad. HMMT is held twice a year, once in November at Harvard and once in February at MIT. 

The November HMMT is relatively more approachable, with teams of 4 to 6 students answering questions that range from mid-AMC to upper-AIME difficulty. It’s a solid choice if you’re new to national competitions or want an introduction to HMMT-style problems.

Meanwhile, the February HMMT is much harder. Teams have 6 to 8 students, and the problems reach mid-AIME to Olympiad level. Prizes are awarded to the top teams and top scorers in each category.

If you want help choosing which HMMT tournament fits your level, read our blog on the HMMT.

7. High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM)

• Dates: November 5–18, 2025
• Location: Online
• Prizes: Official rankings such as Outstanding, Finalist, and Meritorious

The High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM) is an international online competition where small teams work together to solve a real-world problem using mathematical modeling. Hosted by the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP), it’s designed for students who enjoy applying math to practical situations. There’s also a middle school version called MidMCM, open to participants 14½ or younger.

In HiMCM, teams have 14 days to analyze a single, open-ended problem and create a detailed report that explains their model, reasoning, and conclusions.

Over 1,000 teams from around the world joined last year, including groups from top U.S. schools like Tabor Academy, which earned the HiMCM Outstanding Award.

If you want to explore sample problems and team strategies, take a look at our HiMCM guide.

8. MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge (M3 Challenge)

• Dates: February 27–March 2, 2026
• Location: Online but finals in New York City, NY
• Prizes: Scholarship prizes totaling over $100,000

The MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge (M3 Challenge) is an online contest where teams use math to tackle real-world problems. Organized by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) and sponsored by MathWorks, it’s open to high school juniors and seniors in the U.S., England, and Wales.

Teams of three to five students choose a 14-hour window during Challenge Weekend to analyze the year’s problem, build a model, and write a clear, well-supported report. There’s no cost to enter.

What makes the M3 Challenge different is its focus on current, real-world issues. Previous topics have covered everything from converting long-haul trucks from diesel to electric to studying the rapid rise of e-bike usage. The goal is to show how math can be used to make decisions, predict outcomes, and evaluate real data.

The competition ends with a final event in New York City, where nine finalist teams present their work. In total, the contest awards over $100,000 in scholarships, and students can access helpful preparation tools like training materials and free MATLAB licenses.

If you want to learn how this compares to other math competitions for high school students, read our guide to the MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge.

9. Math Prize for Girls

• Dates: October 12, 2025
• Location: MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Prizes: Cash prizes ranging from $2,000 to $50,000 plus scholarships and honors

The Math Prize for Girls is the largest math competition in the world specifically for young women, and it aims to encourage more girls to pursue advanced math and STEM fields. 

Hosted every fall at MIT, the contest invites 300 high-scoring students from the U.S. and Canada. To qualify, you typically need an AMC 10 or AMC 12 score slightly above the AIME cutoff (around 105 for AMC 10 and 90 for AMC 12).

The competition itself is straightforward. Each student works independently for 2.5 hours to solve 20 short-answer questions that cover advanced pre-college math.

One of the biggest highlights of the Math Prize for Girls is its scholarship fund. The contest awards the largest cash prizes for young women in mathematics, including a $50,000 first-place prize, cash awards down to 10th place, honorable mentions, and tokens of appreciation for all participants.

If you want to learn more about the contest and what to expect, check out our blog on the Math Prize for Girls.

10. Continental Mathematics League (CML)

• Dates: November 2025–March 2026
• Location: Hosted within participating schools
• Prizes: Certificates, medals, and national/regional awards

The Continental Mathematics League (CML) is a nationwide contest that focuses on creative, non-routine problem-solving. 

In CML, every student works individually, but the top six scores from each school also count toward a team total. This makes the contest both a personal challenge and a school-wide effort. Schools can enter as many students as they want, so anyone who’s interested gets a chance to try the contest, improve their skills, and contribute to the team score.

CML also offers a range of awards. Students can earn certificates of participation, certificates of achievement, and medals for outstanding performance, while schools can receive regional or national recognition along with trophies or medals for high cumulative scores.

If you want to see how different schools prepare for CML meets, take a look at our full guide to the Continental Math League.

11. Math League High School Contest

• Dates: October 14, 2025–March10, 2026
• Location: Online
• Prizes: Medals, math books, and other Math League awards

The Math League High School Contest is a nationwide competition for students in grades 9–12. Schools start by holding local contests, and the top scorers move on to the State Championship. Students who perform well at the state level can qualify for the US National High School Championship.

You’ll solve short problems that cover topics you already learn in school, such as algebra, geometry, trigonometry, sequences, exponents, probability, and more. You don’t need calculus, and most questions focus on clear reasoning and quick problem-solving.

Students can earn bronze, silver, or gold medals, along with extra prizes like math books, problem sets, and discount codes. High-scoring schools also receive trophies and recognition based on their team results.

If you want to learn how students prepare for Math League and what the rounds look like, read our full Math League guide.

12. Johns Hopkins Math Tournament (JHMT)

• Dates: April 26, 2025
• Location: Johns Hopkins University, Homewood Campus
• Prizes: Prestigious awards and networking opportunities with JHU faculty

The Johns Hopkins Math Tournament (JHMT) is an annual, student-run competition hosted by the Johns Hopkins Math Club for middle and high school students from around the world.

For high school students, the main event is the individual round. It’s a 90-minute test with 45 questions covering algebra, geometry, combinatorics, number theory, and even basic calculus. Students who register with a school team can also take part in the team round, a 60-minute set of five proof-based problems that encourage collaboration and deeper reasoning.

Both individual and team events are designed by Johns Hopkins students, so you get problems that are aligned with the skills you need for college-level math.

If you want to see how JHMT stacks up against other math competitions for high school students, check out our blog on the Johns Hopkins Math Tournament.

13. MATHCOUNTS

• Dates: May 12, 2025
• Location: Local and state rounds held at participating schools; national finals in Washington, D.C
• Prizes: Trophies, medals, and cash prizes across multiple competition levels

MATHCOUNTS is a nationwide math competition that builds problem-solving, teamwork, and quick-thinking skills. While it’s technically a middle school program, we’re including it here because many first developed their foundation here. MATHCOUNTS is often the starting point for students who later excel in the most competitive math competitions for high school students.

MATHCOUNTS began in 1982, founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and the CNA Foundation. Their goal was simple: increase interest in math among middle schoolers. Over the years, it has become a well-known program that challenges students more than regular math classwork.

The competition covers key topics like algebra, geometry, number theory, probability, and statistics. MATHCOUNTS also follows a clear progression: students begin at the school level, advance to the chapter competition, then the state round, and finally the national competition for top performers. Each stage includes both individual and team events, giving students experience with multiple styles of problem-solving.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best competition for beginners?

If you’re just getting started, the AMC 10 or AMC 12 is usually the best entry point because the questions are challenging but approachable. These are often the first step many students take when exploring math competitions for high school students.

2. Do math competitions help with college admissions?

Definitely! Colleges value students who challenge themselves, and strong performance in high school math competitions shows problem-solving skills, initiative, and academic curiosity. Even participation can strengthen your application.

3. How do I choose the right math competition for my level?

Start by matching the difficulty to your experience. AMC is good for beginners, ARML and HMMT fit students with more practice, and Olympiad contests are best for advanced problem-solvers who want a bigger challenge. When choosing the best competition for your level, be honest about what excites you, what feels doable, and where you’ll stay committed.

4. Do I need a coach or a math club to compete?

Not always. Some contests require school or regional teams, but many competitions such as AMC, USAMTS, and HiMCM let students participate through a school site or form their own small teams. Having a coach can help, but it isn’t required.

5. What skills can I gain from math competitions?

You’ll build problem-solving, logical reasoning, and time-management skills while getting exposure to unique, non-routine problems. These skills carry over to AP math, STEM classes, and even college courses. Joining competitions also helps you build confidence the more you participate.

Takeaways

• Math competitions for high school students push you to think creatively, solve challenging problems, and build confidence with higher-level math.
• Top contests like the AMC, AIME, and ARML can lead to national recognition, advanced pathways, and opportunities that stand out on college applications.
• Preparing for these competitions takes steady practice, good problem-solving habits, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.
• If you want help picking the best contests and showcasing your strengths on college applications, connect with an admissions expert who can guide you through every step.