How to Really Prepare for the AIME (2026 Edition)

So, you qualified for the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination). First of all, congratulations! That puts you in the top few percent of AMC competitors nationwide. Nice work.

Now comes the real question: how do you actually prepare for the AIME 2026?

Most students immediately Google “AIME practice problems” or “AIME past exams,” download a PDF, and start drilling. And that’s… fine. If your goal is to feel like you’re working. But if your goal is to actually improve, you’ll need to go a bit deeper.

Let’s talk about that.

Step 1: Rethink What “Practice” Means

Here’s the big mistake: too many students think practice means doing problems quickly. But that’s not how real improvement happens.

The AIME is designed to test depth of reasoning. If you rush through old tests, you’ll get a couple of questions right, feel productive, and miss the whole point.

Instead, try this mindset shift. When you miss a problem, slow down and actually write out why your original approach failed. Categorize it. Was it algebra? Geometry? Number theory? Counting and probability? This is how you identify the real gaps. Then re-solve the problem from scratch the next day, instead of just copying the solution.

In other words, treat AIME past problems as teachers, not just hurdles.

Step 2: Simulate the Real Thing

It’s one thing to solve problems at your desk with unlimited time. It’s another thing entirely to sit down for a 3-hour, 15-question AIME exam.

You’ll need to practice pacing, stamina, and the mental toughness to recover after getting stuck.

That’s where practice tests really help. You can use past AIME exams to get a feel for the format. They’re available in many places, such as AoPS.

There are also online platforms that provide practice tests. One of the best is Math Prep Pro, which offers timed tests with analytics and full solutions.

Step 3: Focus on Key AIME 2026 Topics

If you look across AIME history, certain subjects appear again and again. Your study plan should reflect that.

• Algebra includes polynomials, inequalities, and clever substitutions.
• Geometry covers similar triangles, circle theorems, and coordinate geometry.
• Number Theory includes modular arithmetic, Diophantine equations, and primes.
• Counting and Probability involves clever casework, expected value, and symmetry arguments.

These four pillars are where most of your points will come from.

For a quick reference, this overview of AIME topics is a solid resource. And if you’re still building your foundation, the Art of Problem Solving curriculum is worth bookmarking.

Step 4: Don’t Neglect the Meta Game

Let’s zoom out for a minute.

Contests aren’t just about math. They’re about you versus yourself.

• Can you stay calm when you blank on #5?
• Can you budget your three hours without panicking on #13?
• Can you reflect honestly after practice instead of blaming the problem?

These are the questions that separate students who plateau from students who break through.

To dive deeper into pacing and self-analysis:

• Analyzing Your AMC Performance: Key Metrics to Track
• Timed Practice for AMC: Why It Matters and How to Do It Right

Note: As mathematician and coach Evan Chen emphasizes on his blog, sustained progress in contests comes from reflection and honest post-mortems, not just more drills.

Final Thoughts: Your AIME 2026 Roadmap

If you’re serious about AIME preparation in 2026, here’s your roadmap:

• Simulate the exam with AIME practice tests
• Master the core topics of algebra, geometry, number theory, and counting & probability.
• Develop your mental game as much as your math game.
• The AIME, perhaps more than any other exam, rewards the patient thinker who learns from mistakes.

At the end of the day, the AIME isn’t just about qualifying for USA(J)MO. It’s about proving to yourself that you can think deeply, creatively, and resiliently under pressure.

And that’s the kind of preparation that pays off far beyond one contest.

Learn More about AIME Exam and take practice tests AIME Practice Tests