Current course

AMC 8 and JMC, small group

A small live class online with Gordon. It focuses on the AMC 8 in January, and covers everything the Junior Mathematical Challenge in May needs too, so students master both competitions in one course. The JMC is for Year 8 and below.

For students aiming for a strong AMC 8 result, and a Silver or Gold certificate in the JMC

For: Years 7 to 9 in the UK (ages 11 to 14) · Preparing for: AMC 8 in January, and the UKMT Junior Mathematical Challenge (JMC) in May for Year 8 and below

Start the free placement test

Is this course right for your child?

A good fit if your child is

In Years 7 or 8 in the UK, or aged 11 to 13 in another school system
Doing well in maths at school, and new or fairly new to competition maths
Enjoys a challenge and can spend extra time on maths each week ([hours])
In Year 9 (aged 13 to 14): welcome, but can take the AMC 8 only. The JMC is for Year 8 and below

Probably not the right course yet if your child is

Already comfortable with AMC 8 problems, or aiming for the IMC: see our IMC course
In Year 5 or below: start with the free problem of the week and videos

Key facts

Starts: [Start date]
When: [Day and time], UK time
Sessions: [Number] sessions of [length] minutes
Price: [Price] for the first group
Class size: 3 to 8 students
Taught in: English, or English and Chinese

What the classes cover

Draft outline: Gordon will confirm it

Number and divisibility
Primes, factors, remainders and the patterns in last digits.
Counting
Listing cases in order, and counting each thing exactly once.
Shape and space
Angles, areas and the one extra line that makes a diagram simple.
Logic and puzzles
Reasoning problems that need no formulas, just clear thinking.
Speed and strategy
Working fast without slipping, and knowing when to move on.
Mock papers, then the JMC
Two timed AMC 8 papers, then [one or two] sessions in April before the JMC.

What's included

Live classes online in a small group
A recording of every class to watch again
Weekly homework with feedback
A short note to parents after every class
Two mock papers in AMC 8 style, each with a topic-by-topic report
An end-of-course report

The competitions

AMC 8

Date: 22 to 25 January 2027 in the UK (register by 31 December 2026)

Run by the Mathematical Association of America, the AMC series is the best-known maths competition in North America, taken by over 300,000 students in more than 30 countries each year. The AMC 8 is its first level, for US grade 8 and below (UK Year 9): 25 questions in 40 minutes that reward quick, accurate thinking. It leads on to the AMC 10 and AMC 12, the AIME and the USA Mathematical Olympiad. The problem-solving it builds helps with harder competitions, with maths at school and with applications later on.

Learn more about the competitions →

Junior Mathematical Challenge (JMC)

Date: 5 May 2027

The first of the UK Mathematics Trust's challenges, the UK's main maths competitions, well known to schools across the country. For Year 8 and below: 25 multiple-choice questions in an hour, more about logic and clever reasoning than school methods. Top scorers are invited to the Junior Kangaroo and Junior Mathematical Olympiad, and it leads on to the IMC, the Senior Challenge and the British Mathematical Olympiad. A good early start in building competition skills.

Learn more about the competitions →

How to enter

We prepare students; we can't enter them. Your child sits both competitions at school or at a test centre, so ask the maths department whether the school takes part. For the AMC 8, if the school doesn't take part, you can register as an individual with AMC Europe (amceurope.net) by 31 December, and they'll find a school to host your child. We're happy to help with either.

Your teacher

Gordon

Gordon teaches the thinking behind a solution, not just the answer: how to read a problem, see what it's really asking and reason it through, so students can handle questions they've never seen before.

More about Gordon →

How to join

1
Take the free placement test
10 to 12 questions online, [about X minutes]. No sign-up needed.
2
Get Gordon's report
Gordon looks at the answers and emails you a detailed report within 2 working days, with his recommendation for the best level of maths competition.
3
Join the class
Pay online by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay or WeChat Pay. Full refund before the second class, or if the class doesn't run.

Read the course terms →

Questions parents ask

Can a Year 9 student join?

Yes, for the AMC 8 only. The JMC is for Year 8 and below. If your child is confident with AMC 8 problems already, the IMC course may suit them better.

What if my child misses a class?

Every class is recorded, so they can catch up. Recordings stay available for 3 months after the course ends.

What if not enough students join?

A class runs from 3 students. If it doesn't reach 3, we tell you before the first session and refund you in full.

Which language is the class taught in?

English, or English and Chinese, depending on the students. We'll put your child in the appropriate group.

What does my child need?

A computer or tablet with a stable internet connection, paper and a pencil. Classes run on VooV Meeting, or Tencent Meeting in mainland China.

Not sure yet?

Start with the free placement test, and Gordon will send you a detailed report and his recommendation for the best level of maths competition for your child. Or contact Gordon's teaching assistant, who can tell you more.

Start the free placement test

Contact Gordon's teaching assistant