On March 6, 34 members of Toga Math Club took the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). They qualified for this more challenging test by scoring in the top 5 percent on the American Math Contest (AMC) 12 or top 2.5 percent on the AMC 10.

The AIME is a 15-question 3-hour test in which every answer is an integer from 0 to 999. As with the AMC 10 and 12 exams, all problems on the AIME can be solved using precalculus methods. Calculators are not allowed, and there is no penalty for guessing.

To qualify to the next stage of competition, United States of America (Junior) Mathematical Olympiad (USA(J)MO), an index is calculated based on the number of questions correctly answered on the AIME added to the student’s AMC score. Traditionally, around 500 students qualify for the USA(J)MO; last year, seven qualified from Saratoga High.

USA(J)MO cutoffs are expected to be released early next month, and the test will occur on April 18 and 19.