Contest Math 401 (CM401)
High School Contest Math (AMC10 & AIME Prep)
Fall Prerequisite: AMC8 19+ or AMC10 75+
Spring Prerequisite: AMC8 21+ or AMC10 80+
Fee (per semester): $869
2026 Spring CM401B
CM401B
Session 1 (Online)
Instructor: Michelle Nal
Sunday 4 – 6PM CST
Dates: Feb 1 to April 26
No Class Date: March 15
CM401B
Session 2 (Online)
Instructor: Burridge, Ph.D.
Tuesday 7 – 9PM CST
Dates: Feb 3 to May 5
No Class Date: March 10, 17
2025 Fall CM401A
2025 Fall CM401A TA Office Hour (Online)
Homework Solutions: Written and video homework solutions will be posted on Canvas.
Office Hour: Students may sign up for a 15-minute, one-on-one online TA session each month. Before bringing homework questions to TA office hours, students are expected to review the posted solutions. Only bring questions if clarification is still needed after reviewing those materials. Other general questions related to class material are also welcome.
CM401A
Session 1 (Online)
Instructor: Michelle Nal
Sunday 5 – 7PM CST
Dates: Aug 17 – Nov 2
No Class Date: NA
CM401A
Session 2 (Online)
Instructor: Burridge, Ph.D.
Tuesday 7 – 9PM CST
Dates: Aug 19 to Nov 4
No Class Date: NA
All class materials including recordings (viewing only) are available immediately after each class until 3 months after the last day of class in Canvas
Class Description: Contest math level 4 classes are split into two classes, one per semester, making it a year long course. The course is intended for middle school students who have been active in state and nationwide math contests. Students will learn more in-depth topics and techniques in CM401A and CM401B. CM401 helps students boost their scores on AMC 10 and 12, MATHCOUNTS, and AIME.
What will be covered: All 4 subjects (Algebra, Geometry, Number Theory, and Combinatorics) will be covered in this one-year class.
Difficulty Level: Medium difficulty AMC10 to easy AIME.
Time Required: Students are expected to attend the weekly 2-hr lecture and the optional weekly 1-hr TA session where the teacher will go over each week’s homework problems and answer any questions students might have. Students are expected to spend around 2 hours on homework problems each week.
Prerequisites: Students who wish to enroll in this class are expected to have a mid to high AMC 8 score (19+) or scored 75+ on AMC10, or have completed our CM 301 course for both fall and spring semesters.
Qualifying Test: A qualifying test is required if the above prerequisite is not met. All new 6th graders and below are required to take the qualifying test regardless of the AMC scores
Who should skip this course? Students who scored 95+ on the most recent official AMC 10
Note: After you add CM401 to your cart, you will be on the waiting list until it is approved by our staff (usually within one business day). After it is approved, you will receive an invoice. If it is not approved or if we need any additional information, we will contact you via email.
FAQ’s:
Will this class help improve my score on the AMC10?
Yes, topics covered in this class will help students solve medium level (15-22) AMC10 questions and easier AIME questions. Some CM401 students score 120-130 on AMC10 after completing the class.
Fall Semester (401A): Algebra, Combinatorics
Week 1: System of Equations
Week 2: Algebraic Manipulations
Week 3: Word Problems
Week 4: Sequence and Series
Week 5: Product and Sum Notation, Telescoping Series, Sum of Polynomial Series, Arithmetico-Geometric Series
Week 6: Polynomials
Week 7: Polynomials
Week 8: Functions
Week 9: Pascal’s Triangle and Combinatorial Identities
Week 10: Distribution
Week 11: Three C’s of Counting
Week 12: Review
Spring Semester (401B): Geometry, Number Theory
Week 1: Angles
Week 2: Congruence and Similarity
Week 3: Similarity and Area
Week 4: Similarity and Area
Week 5: Length and Area
Week 6: Length and Area
Week 7: Mass Point Geometry
Week 8: Circle 1
Week 9: Circle 2
Week 10: Number Theory
Week 11: Number Theory
Week 12: Algebraic Methods in Number Theory