When Will the 2026 AMC 8 Problems Be Released?
If you're looking for this year's AMC 8 problems right now, you won't find them anywhere yet.
Here's why.
AMC 8 Is a Window-Based Test
Unlike a single-day exam, AMC 8 runs over an entire week. Different schools and test centers administer the exam on different days within that window.
This year's window: January 22–30, 2026 (extended from the original January 22–28 due to winter storms across the US).
That means as of today, some students have already taken the test, while others are still waiting. Until every student has had their chance to sit for the exam, the problems stay locked.
Releasing them early would give an unfair advantage to students testing later in the window. So MAA keeps everything under wraps until the competition period officially closes.
When Will Problems Be Available?
Historically, AMC 8 problems and answer keys are released within a few days after the testing window ends.
For 2026, expect the problems to go public around January 31 or shortly after.
Once released, you'll be able to find them on the official MAA website, Art of Problem Solving wiki, and various prep sites.
I'll post them here as soon as they're officially out.
2026 AMC 8 Overview
Here's what you need to know about this year's test:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Test Window | January 22–30, 2026 |
| Format | 25 questions, 40 minutes |
| Question Type | Multiple choice |
| Eligibility | Grade 8 and below, under 14.5 years old |
| Calculator | Not allowed |
| Scoring | 1 point per correct answer, no penalty for wrong answers |
Award Cutoffs (Based on Recent Years)
| Year | Average | DHR (Top 1%) | HR (Top 5%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11.74 | 23 | 19 |
| 2024 | 10.75 | 22 | 18 |
| 2023 | 10.26 | 21 | 17 |
| 2022 | 9.69 | 22 | 19 |
| 2020 | 10.00 | 21 | 18 |
The 2026 cutoffs will be announced after scores are released, typically in mid-February.
What to Do While You Wait
If you've already taken the test, now is the time to reflect—not on specific problems (you probably can't remember them perfectly anyway), but on how you felt during the test.
Where did you struggle? What threw you off? Did you run out of time, or finish early with mistakes?
When the problems come out, you'll be able to do a proper review. But that reflection you do now, while the experience is fresh, is valuable too.
Check back here at the end of January. I'll post the problems along with analysis as soon as they're released.
Already Took the Test?
If you've finished the AMC 8 and want to know how to actually learn from it, I wrote a separate guide on reviewing your performance and building a training plan based on where you struggled.
Madison Chung
