Upper school students will participate in the annual American Mathematics Competition (AMC) 10/12 in Taper Gym on Nov. 10 and 16.

The AMC 10/12 is a 25-question, 75-minute multiple-choice exam with the goal to promote and enhance students’ problem-solving skills. The AMC 10 is designed for students in tenth grade and below while the AMC 12 is designed for students in twelfth grade and below. Both exams encompass high school material, including but not limited to topics regarding advanced algebra, advanced geometry, trigonometry, counting and probability, precalculus and number theory. They are the first in a series of competitions that lead to the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).

Tanya Anand ’24, who participated in the competition on Nov. 10, said she was unaffected by the transition to in-person standardized testing.

“I wanted to try [the competition] out because it was something new,” Anand said. “There were definitely some problems that were [difficult], but overall, I think it went well, and it was very fun. Personally, I do not think there was a huge contrast between in-person and virtual testing except for the fact that we are no longer in the comfort of our homes.”

Jack Austen ’23, who participated in the competition and will be participating the following week, said he is glad to be competing in person.

“I am excited to be participating in the competition,” Austen said. “It is a relief that we are back in person, not only because it heightens our sense of community, but because it promotes academic honesty. I know that last year, many students were worried that the online platform would allow fellow competitors to cheat, so I am glad that this year, we can mitigate these issues.”

Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Independent Research teacher Kevin Weis, who also serves as faculty advisor to the Upper School Math Club, said the return to in-person testing has allowed him to truly recognize the effort and hard work that students put into the exam.

“It feels great to be back in person again,” Weis said. “It is exciting, seeing students working diligently, lost in thought, trying to solve difficult problems. Last year, the exam was [administered] online, and I had to sit in my house, watching little boxes on Zoom. [The experience simply] was not the same. Being able to watch students fiddle with their protractors, fill scratch paper with funny math symbols [and stare] up at the ceiling lost in thought reminds me how great it is to be back [together].”