The Math Department is in the process of preparing its upper level math students for the upcoming American Mathematical Competitions, AMC for short, on Tuesday.

The AMC is an annual competition in which both Paly and Gunn compete, along with over 2,500 high schools across the country, according to the AMC Web site (http://www.unl.edu/amc). The AMC includes several competitions, such as the AMC 8, which is a competition for eighth grade students, and the AMC 10 and 12, which are intended for 10th grade and 12th grade students.

“The AMC is the first ‘go round’ to find appropriate participants to represent the United States in the International Math Olympiad,” Suzanne Antink, instructional supervisor and teacher in the Math Department, said. The reason why Paly participates in the AMC is to give its best minds the opportunity to compete according to Antink. “For the majority of students, it’s a shot at setting and surpassing a personal ‘best’ — a way to test oneself for the pure joy of stretching,” Antink said.

The reason why the test is required for the higher lane math students is that the Math Department has no desire to leave out potential players, according to Antink. Anyone who wants to participate in the test, but is not in a higher lane math class, only has to inform Antink, and she will reserve a test for them. The funding for the test comes out of the school’s budget and Antink orders enough to include 25 extras at the AMC 12 level and an additional 10 at the AMC 10 level. In addition, material from past tests is available for any student who wishes to prepare for the upcoming test. “We have old exams available for practice and we hope that everyone enjoys the experience,” Antink said.

After the AMC, more advanced mathematics competitions begin, such as the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) and the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), which take place after the AMC in late April. The AMC is run by the Committee of the American Mathematics Competitions (CMAC). The CAMC is responsible for the policy governing the AMC exams and examination quality.

The AMC 12 began in the 1950s and was originally called the American High School Mathematics Examination. It was then followed by the AMC 8 in 1985, originally called the American Junior High School Mathematics Examination. The most recent addition, the AMC 10, began in the year 2000, according the AMC Web site. The purpose of the three AMC tests is to increase student interest in mathematics and develop problem solving ability through a friendly competition, as well as to prepare students for higher-level competitions according to the Web site.

The actual development of the AMC examinations is left up to five subcommittees; the AMC 8 subcommittee, AMC 10 subcommittee, AMC 12 subcommittee, AIME subcommittee, and the USAMO subcommittee. These committees compile test questions and serve as advisors to the CMAC according to the Web site.

“The math department made the right decision in having the higher lane math students take the test because the scores reflect the excellence in the mathematical teaching at Paly,” junior Cameron Tacklind said.

In regards to the purpose behind taking the test, Tacklind said, “It’s just another standardized test. That you can use to rate yourself against everyone else.”

Junior Clark Willison agreed, “The thing about math test is the more [math classes] you take the better you get.”

Testing will begin at 7:40 a.m. on Tuesday in the Library for all participating 10th and 12th graders. Students in the higher math lanes are required to attend, though those in other math lanes who are interested in participating can contact Suzanne Antink, [email protected], to reserve a test. Students who are in Geometry/Algebra 2A are asked to report to their assigned classrooms to receive the test. Students not participating in the AMC must arrive at their first period classes by 9:45 a.m.