Know the task without treating practice as a prediction.
The AMC is an Australian Maths Trust competition. Its official scoring and awards are determined by the Trust. A SteadyMarks practice result is simply the number correct out of 30, so it should be used to choose a next learning step rather than to estimate an official result.
Help your child notice the two response types before a timed session. Multiple-choice questions ask them to compare options carefully; integer-answer questions require a whole-number answer and a final check that the number is reasonable.
Build a routine that alternates method practice and mixed problems.
Start with a short set around one idea, such as finding a pattern or working backwards. Ask the student to say what information they used before seeing a solution. Then use mixed questions occasionally, when they need to decide which strategy fits without being told.
- Read. Underline what is changing and what must be found.
- Represent. Draw a table, a quick diagram or an equation when it clarifies the relationships.
- Try. Choose a manageable first case instead of waiting for a perfect idea.
- Check. Put the answer back into the condition and ask whether its size makes sense.
Choose a method from the structure of the question.
A useful clue is often the direction of the information. When a question gives a final result and asks what happened before it, reverse the operations. When several cases change in a regular way, record them in a table before guessing a rule.
Original worked example: check a result by reversing
A number is doubled, then 7 is added, giving 31. What was the starting number?
Undo the last operation first: 31 − 7 = 24. Undo doubling: 24 ÷ 2 = 12. Check forward: 12 × 2 + 7 = 31. The starting number is 12.
For more practice with this reasoning, read how to work backwards. A table-first approach is explained in the pattern guide.
Review the decision, not only the answer.
Choose two or three questions after a session. Ask what the student noticed, what they tried first and where they became unsure. A correct answer reached by a fragile guess deserves review too; it may show which method needs to become more reliable.
The next session should have one small purpose, such as “make a table before looking for a pattern” or “check every integer answer in the original condition”. The explain-a-solution guide gives a simple structure for that conversation.
Continue with original practice and clear review.
Reviewed 16 September 2026. Competition dates, entry arrangements and official scoring can change; check the Australian Maths Trust before relying on them.