Competition Information

The ACSIMC is composed of three rounds:

• Archimedes (Easy: Pre-Algebra - Algebra I)

• Stokes (Intermediate: Geometry - Algebra II)

• Rutherford (Hard: Precalculus - Calculus)

Participants have the opportunity to choose which round they participate in. Due to time constraints, each participant may only participate in ONE round. When selecting which testing window to participate in (see below), participants will be asked which round they would like to participate in; participants are expected to choose the round that is most appropriate for them.

We recognize that competitors from all over the world are participating, and thus are in different time zones. Therefore, we offer two testing windows:

• The Primary Testing Window (10:20 AM EST - 11:50 AM EST)

• The Alternative Testing Window (12:45 PM EST - 2:15 PM EST)

EST is analogous to GMT -5.

Sometime before the competition (approximately two weeks before), a Google Form will be sent out via the competition “Group Chat” on Schoolhouse. All participants are mandated to complete this form to indicate which testing window works best for them. There is no advantage to choosing one testing window over the other. As such, it is important to keep an eye on the competition “Group Chat” in the weeks preceding the competition, as this messaging system will be our main method of communication with competitors.

Each round consists of five categories of questions:

• Algebra: 6 multiple-choice questions

• Geometry: 6 multiple-choice questions

• Combinatorics: 6 multiple-choice questions

• Number Theory: 6 multiple-choice questions

• Free Response: 3 free-response questions (these questions can be from any of the four aforementioned categories)

Each of the 24 total multiple-choice questions are worth 1 point (for a total of 24 points) and each of the three free-response questions are worth two points (for a total of six points), making the maximum possible earned point value for each round 30 points.*

Competitors will be allowed 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete their round. As aforementioned, participants must submit their response forms within the allotted time frame.

There will be an appeal window for any participant to appeal the mathematical nature of questions on the examinations and/or the answers to such questions. Submission times are not eligible for appeal.

In the event of a tie, participants involved will be invited to participate in a tiebreaker round. The tiebreaker round will contain four multiple-choice questions and participants will have 30 minutes to complete these questions. In the event of another tie, the advantage will be given to the participant with the quicker submission time. Throughout competition day, it is important to keep an eye on Schoolhouse messages as this is the main method of communication from hosts to participants. Again, submission times are not eligible for appeal.

Testing Accommodations

Due to the online nature of this competition, and thus the inability to monitor accommodations in a manner consistent with an in-person competition, we cannot grant extended time accommodations. We do not want to bias the competition, but we also do not want to invade privacy in this manner (which would be in violation of both Schoolhouse’s community guidelines and HIPAA regulations). If you have any questions relating to accommodations other than extended time, please contact us at least two weeks prior to the competition.

*The exception to this is the February 2025 ACSIMC, where each of the multiple-choice sections contained 5 multiple-choice questions, and the free-response section contained one free-response question.