Last Updated on September 30, 2026
Quick answer: The best math competitions for high school students include the AMC 10 and 12, which lead to the AIME and USA Mathematical Olympiad, along with the Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament (HMMT), ARML, and the International Mathematical Olympiad. Start with the AMC to measure your level, then add team contests as you build experience.
Extracurricular achievements are important factors in getting accepted into a top US college. To get noticed in your profile, college admissions officers will look for a student’s academic achievements and how those activities and achievements relate to that student’s profile.
For STEM students interested in mathematics, building a solid college profile will include attending mathematics competitions. There are many across the country to choose from. So, we at InGenius Prep have compiled a list of top mathematics competitions high school students can participate in to strengthen their profiles, make a solid impression on college admissions officers, and get noticed among their peers.
Types of Mathematics
These competitions explore a range of math problems, from virtual examples to applied mathematics. However, for those who wish to prepare and study effectively, popular subjects for these events include algebra, geometry, number theory, probability & statistics, and calculus. Preparation is vital, and each competition is unique, so students should research the subjects of each event to study and give themselves the best chances of success. For more on preparation and building your profile to become the ideal applicant, InGenius Prep’s admissions experts are here to work with you at each stage.
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Top 10 Math Competitions for High School Students
1. American Mathematics Competition
The American Mathematics Competition (AMC) is a series of challenges organized by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) to bring STEM to students and professionals worldwide. The AMC is one of the most well-known and prestigious competitions students can participate in, and performing well opens the door to other opportunities, such as the USA Math Olympiad. [1]
The AMC includes the AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12. The AMC 10 and AMC 12 are 25-question, 75-minute exams for students in grade 10 and below and grade 12 and below, and top scorers advance to the AIME and then the USAMO or USAJMO. The list is extensive, and many options are available for high school students interested in mathematics/ STEM.
2. Harvard/MIT Mathematics Tournament (HMMT)
One of the largest mathematics competitions in the world, the Harvard/MIT Mathematics Tournament draws hundreds of top-scoring students from around the world. The competition is organized entirely by students at Harvard, MIT, and surrounding schools, including HMMT alumni.
As another of the most prestigious and well-known mathematics competitions, HMMT is a solid mark for a high school student to have on their resume when applying to top US colleges, especially Ivy League schools. This extracurricular is what admissions officers look for, and it will leave an impression for any student focused on STEM.
3. American Regions Mathematics League
The American Regions Mathematics League (ARML) is a national mathematics competition held each June at several university host sites across the US. The competition features a mix of team and individual rounds where students can showcase their skills in a team or independent setting.
Students compete on regional teams, so ARML is a good way to practice collaborative problem solving alongside some of the most talented young mathematicians in the country. A solid ARML result is also a respected line on a college application.
4. Math Kangaroo
The Math Kangaroo USA is an international mathematics competition that has run in the US since 1998, offering awards, special recognitions, and networking opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school students.
It is an annual competition held each March and is open to students in grades K through 12.
Math Kangaroo is a great opportunity, especially for younger students who wish to excel in their extracurriculars or get introduced to competitions earlier in their academic careers. Math Kangaroo also offers resources and lesson plans to help students succeed in their studies.
5. Math League
The mathleague.org is one of the largest networks of mathematics competitions at the state and local level, organizing competitions for elementary, middle, and high school. Their organization reaches over 30,000 students globally each year and runs over 400 contests.
The Math League also offers classes and workshops for students who want to develop their mathematical skills further and train for these competitions, including math contest preparation, tutoring for standardized testing, and math camps in cities around the world.
6. International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is considered one of the world’s most prestigious mathematics competitions. The IMO is a subset of the International Science Olympiads, which include competitions for other sciences, such as the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), and the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI).
The International Mathematical Olympiad is held in a different country each year, with over 100 countries on its current roster. The competition has been running since 1959 and features complex problems for students to solve in areas such as algebra, combinatorics, geometry, and number theory. Some of the issues on display in these competitions may not be covered in high school or even in some college courses, so students who perform well in this challenging competition will make a solid impression on college admissions officers when applying to top schools.
Participating in the International Science Olympiads is also a solid mark for students who plan to study any STEM field.
7. Math Prize for Girls
The Advantage Testing Foundation/Jane Street Math Prize for Girls describes itself as the largest math prize for girls in the world. The competition’s goal is gender equality and the promotion of young women in STEM professions. The Math Prize for Girls is a unique opportunity for girls interested in mathematics and STEM fields with opportunities to excel, travel, and win prizes that can significantly impact their career prospects and college application.
The contest is held each fall at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and about 250 high school girls are invited to compete.
8. MATHCOUNTS
An organization focused on middle school students, MATHCOUNTS is a non-profit with the mission to engage and reach students across the US and help them build their skills early in their academic careers.
A unique program for middle school students, MATHCOUNTS has a focus on accessibility and support for younger students. MATHCOUNTS offers a variety of resources to help students excel, including competitions, coaches, clubs, handbooks, and alumni. Their competition series and math clubs are also solid pathways for fostering success and achievement in their students.
9. Purple Comet! Math Meet
Purple Comet! Math Meet is an online team competition for middle and high school students that has run every spring since 2003.
Teams compete from their own schools, so there is no travel involved. Its accessibility makes it one of the more straightforward contests to participate in, providing a good foundation for students who already or are planning to compete in other math competitions.
10. MathWorks Math Modeling (M3) Challenge
The MathWorks Math Modeling (M3) Challenge is an internet-based competition that invites high school juniors and seniors in the US, along with sixth form students in England and Wales. It is run by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) and sponsored by MathWorks. The M3 Challenge has a distinct focus on applied mathematics, with a unique, real-world problem posed to its participants during its annual competition.
M3 Challenge is notable for its relevance to real-world issues and fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills that provide an excellent foundation for students interested in entering mathematics. Teams have 14 continuous hours to work on the problem, and top teams earn scholarship prizes.
Math Competitions for College Applications
College admissions officers at the top US schools will look for more than just a student’s academic scores when considering them for admission. They employ a holistic review, considering everything on a student’s profile when making their decisions. [2]
Achievements and extracurricular activities are significant advantages for students in their college applications. If you enjoy math, consider pairing contests with science competitions for high school students or other computer science extracurriculars. Having accolades from prestigious competitions and organizations is a great way to get noticed amongst the sea of applicants vying for a spot at one of the top schools.
For more guidance on the college admissions process, InGenius Prep’s team of Former Admissions Officers from top Ivy League institutions knows precisely what the top schools are looking for from their applications. We’ll coach your students on the best course to increase their chances of acceptance and jumpstart their college careers.
How to Get Started With Math Competitions
If you are new to competition math, begin with a contest that meets you where you are. MATHCOUNTS and Math Kangaroo suit middle school and early high school students, while the AMC 10 and AMC 12 are the standard entry point for high schoolers and the path to the AIME and USAMO. Work through past problems, which most competitions publish, and time yourself under test conditions. Join or start a math club so you can practice with peers, and ask a teacher to register your school for contests like the AMC or Math League. For more ways to build a STEM profile, read our tips for the STEM college applicant. Progress in competition math comes from steady practice over several years, so starting in ninth grade gives you the most room to grow.
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