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The American Invitational Mathematics Examination is one of the most challenging stages in the MAA mathematics competition pathway. Unlike the AMC, where students select answers from multiple choices, the AIME asks participants to solve difficult problems and enter numerical answers.
For students planning ahead, the AIME eligibility requirements for 2027 are particularly important because the examination is changing in some practical ways for the 2027 cycle. MAA has announced new testing arrangements, fixed qualification thresholds and a new computer-based format at Pearson testing centres in the United States and Canada.
What Is the AIME?
The American Invitational Mathematics Examination, commonly called AIME, is an invitational mathematics competition for students who perform strongly in the AMC 10 or AMC 12.
It sits between the AMC competitions and later invitational competitions such as the USAMO and USAJMO. The problems are significantly harder than those in the AMC 10 and AMC 12 and require students to work through multi-step mathematical reasoning.
The 2027 AIME will contain 15 questions. Every answer is an integer from 0 through 999.
AIME Eligibility 2027
Qualification for AIME begins with the AMC. For the 2026 to 2027 competition cycle, students who score 100 or higher on the AMC 10 or 85 or higher on the AMC 12 will qualify to register for the AIME, provided they meet the remaining eligibility requirements. These thresholds are fixed numbers for the 2027 cycle rather than percentages.
There is also an age requirement. For 2027, students must be at least 13 years old to participate in the AIME. MAA states that students younger than 13 will not be eligible even if they otherwise qualify through the AMC.
The full eligibility rules should be checked before registration because qualification through the AMC alone does not override other participation requirements.
AIME Exam Dates 2027
The AIME exam dates for 2027 are 5 and 6 February 2027.
Students will take the examination once during this testing window. There will not be a separate AIME I and AIME II in the previous format. MAA has stated that qualified students can select an available appointment during the 5 or 6 February window. There are no alternate dates or make-up examinations.
This makes planning particularly important. Students who qualify should not leave scheduling until the last moment.
What Is Changing in AIME 2027?
The biggest change concerns how and where the examination is administered. For 2027, AIME will be delivered at Pearson testing centres across the United States and Canada. The examination will be computer-based and conducted in English. Students will receive an invitation to register and then schedule an available time through Pearson.
The 2027 examination will be split into two 90-minute parts, with eight questions in the first part and seven in the second. Students will have a short break between the parts. Once the first part ends, students cannot return to those questions during the second part.
Students will also not be allowed to bring materials such as rulers or compasses into the examination room. MAA will provide laminated graph paper and fine-tip pens for working.
These changes mean that preparation should include familiarity with computer-based testing, not only mathematical problem solving.
How Does the AIME Registration Process Work?
The AIME registration process begins only after a student qualifies through the AMC.
Qualified students will receive an invitation at the email address associated with their MAA competition portal account. The invitation will direct the student to the Pearson website, where an available Pearson Professional Center and examination appointment can be selected.
This is different from registering for the AMC. Students do not simply choose AIME and sign up in advance. Qualification must come first.
For the 2027 cycle, MAA has announced an $85 AIME registration fee, plus applicable taxes. Financial assistance will be available for students who need help with the fee, and MAA has also stated that assistance may be available for significant travel costs where necessary.
What About Indian Students?
The 2027 AIME announcement specifically states that the examination will be administered at Pearson testing centres across the United States and Canada. International participation arrangements can differ from the US and Canadian pathway, so Indian students should not assume that the standard US registration process automatically applies to them.
MAA operates an AMC International programme through International Group Leaders for participating countries. The current MAA listing includes an International Group Leader for India. Students outside the US and Canada should check the current MAA international arrangements and follow the instructions applicable to their country.
How Should Students Prepare for AIME 2027?
AIME preparation requires a different level of problem-solving ability from ordinary school mathematics.
Students should become comfortable with number theory, algebra, geometry, combinatorics and probability, but knowing the topics is only the beginning. AIME questions often require several ideas to be connected before a solution becomes visible.
Past AIME problems are particularly useful. Instead of attempting large numbers of questions without review, students should spend time understanding complete solutions and looking for alternative approaches.
Tutela Prep’s AIME practice can provide structured exposure to these problems, especially for students who need help moving from AMC-style multiple-choice questions to AIME's numerical-response format.
Timed practice should also become part of preparation. Since the 2027 examination divides the 15 questions across two fixed sections, students should practise working carefully without relying on the possibility of returning to the first section later.
What Happens After AIME?
For eligible students in the relevant MAA pathway, strong performance at AIME can lead to further invitational competitions such as the USAMO and USAJMO. These competitions form part of the broader pathway towards the selection process for the United States International Mathematical Olympiad team.
However, students should approach the AIME as a mathematical challenge in its own right. The most valuable outcome is often the ability to tackle unfamiliar problems patiently and develop a deeper understanding of mathematics.
From 2027, qualification for USAJMO and USAMO will be based primarily on AIME scores; AMC scores will no longer be a factor.
AIME 2027: Important Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date or deadline |
| 2026 to 2027 AMC registration opens | 2 September 2026 |
| AMC 10/12 A | 5 November 2026 |
| AMC 10/12 B | 13 November 2026 |
| AIME | 5 or 6 February 2027 |
| AIME registration fee | $85 plus applicable taxes |
The AMC registration dates are included here because AIME qualification begins with the AMC. MAA has not published a separate advance student registration deadline for AIME in the same way as the AMC. Qualified students will receive an invitation and schedule through Pearson.
The AIME 2027 cycle brings several important changes, particularly the move to Pearson testing centres and computer-based delivery. Students who are aiming for qualification should therefore prepare for both mathematics and the new examination environment.
The most important first step is to understand the AMC qualification threshold and eligibility rules well before the November competition. From there, consistent problem-solving practice can help students build the mathematical maturity required for AIME-level questions.
