Purpose:
To help rising 5th to 8th graders prepare for AMC 8 (Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016) and MATHCOUNTS (See: The AMC 8 Contest at the Montgomery College on Tuesday, November 15, 2016)
Fall 2016 Schedule
| Class | Day/Time | Grade | Hours | Tuition |
| AMC 8/Mathcounts Prep Regular Level | Saturday 3:00 – 5:00pm |
3-8 | 22 | $660 |
| AMC 8/Mathcounts Prep Advanced Level | Saturday 6:00 – 8:00pm |
5-8 | 22 | $720 |
| We offer discounts of $20 for returning students. | ||||
- We will focus on efficient tricks, shortcuts, and strategies to solve AMC 8/MathCounts problems as well as test-taking tactics.
- We will utilize a highly effective teaching model as described in the article: Small-sized Class Instruction-focused Model.
11 Weekends, Total: 22 Hours
9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1 (Mock Test/Review
10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29 (Mock Test/Review)
11/5, 11/12 (Mock Test/Review), 11/15 (AMC 8 Contest, No Class),
11/19 (Comprehensively Reviewing and Analyzing the 2016 AMC Problems)
Instructor: Dr. Henry Wan
Online Registration is now open! Click HERE to register.
A commitment to the whole course can maximize the benefit of learning all the math ideas, methods, strategies, tactics, skills, and techniques.
Location: 18206 Endora Cir, Germantown, MD 20841
Contact Information:
Ivy League Education Center
Tel: 301-922-9508 Email: chiefmathtutor@gmail.com
| Regular Class | Advanced Class | |
| Specific Goal of the AMC 8 | To become part of the top 5% of scorers on the 2016 AMC 8, and then receive National Honor Roll Certificates. In 2015, this was 16-20 correct out of 25 problems. | To become part of the top 1% of scorers on the 2016 AMC 8, and then receive National Distinguished Honor Roll Certificates. In 2015, this was 21-25 correct out of 25 problems. |
| Specific Goal of the AMC 10 | To earn a score of 60 or more out of 150 on the 2017 AMC 10. | To earn a score of 90 or more out of 150 on the 2017 AMC 10, and then receive National Achievement Honor Roll Certificates. |
| Handout | The material covered is the accelerated middle school math curriculum. The emphasis will be on basic comprehensive problem-solving. | The material covers math normally associated with grades 9 and 10. The emphasis will be on advanced comprehensive problem-solving, especially in fundamental Discrete Math. |
| Lecturing | The lecture material will be presented with detailed step-by-step explanations at a slower speed, which allows students time to better understand the material itself. | The lecture will be presented at a faster pace, so more advanced materials will be covered in a shorter amount of time. |
| Homework | Problem Sets have similar difficulty and style as the real AMC 8 problems. The focus will on the first 20 problems on the AMC 8. We will give students 500 brand new problems at the AMC 8 level extracted from the licensed AMC Database.
Click HERE to see a typical sample (Regular Level Problem Set). |
The focus will on the final 10 problems on the AMC 8, and the first 15 problems on the AMC 10, as well as those hard problems on the MathCounts. We will provide students with 500 brand new problems, extracted from the licensed AMC Database, having similar difficulty and style as the hard real AMC 8 problems.
Click HERE to see a typical sample (Advanced Level Problem Set). |
There are many math competitions in the United States. Of those, only AMC → AIME → USAMO sequence would take you to the IMO (International Math Olympiad), the highest level math competition for high school students in the world!
Payment Policy
- Full payment must be received on or before the day of first class.
- A late fee of $50 will be added to the tuition for payment after the first class.
Refund Policy
- Withdrawal before the first class: Full Refund
- Withdrawal after the first class: $75 deduction
- No refund after the second class
Description:
Our curriculum focuses on advancing the mathematical skills of rising 5th-8th graders to prepare them for AMC 8 and MathCounts. A variety of contest questions, including the first 15 problems on the AMC 10, are used to teach students strategies to solve problems and help students prepare for the competitions. These problems stimulate their interest and enthusiasm for critical and creative thinking and problem solving, broaden their mathematical intuition, and develop their brainpower. The topics taught in this class are not covered in regular school math classes, allowing our students to stay one step ahead.
Benefits:
- 11 tutorial handouts (275 pages) developed by Dr. Henry Wan and 500 new problems at the AMC 8 level taken from the licensed AMC Database
- 3 FREE mock tests, each of which has 25 questions taken from the licensed AMC Database. Mock tests are calibrated to be at the same difficulty level as the real AMC 8.
- FREE registration for the AMC 8 Contest on Tuesday, November 15, 2016. Please see: The AMC 8 Contest at the Montgomery College on Tuesday, November 15, 2016
- FREE registration for the AMC 10A — Tuesday, February 7, 2017 and/or AMC 10B — Wednesday, February 22, 2017. Please see: The AMC 10/12 Contests at Montgomery College on February 7, 2017, and February 15, 2017
Read more at:
- 2015 AMC 8 Problems and Answers
- The Big Value of Middle School Math Competitions
- Great Benefits of Math Competitions
- A Little Competition Can Inspire Math Students to Greater Achievement
- Small-sized Class Instruction-focused Model
- Homework Correction is very Important — We Give an Extensive Correction of the Incorrect Answers of All Homework
- Homework assignments are a fundamental part of our courses
- Mathematics competitions are NOT mysterious, and every student can attend them! — 数学竞赛绝非神秘，每个学生都可参加！
- Girls should attend math competitions — 女生更应参加数学竞赛
- The Importance of Discrete Mathematics
- 2015 AMC 8 Results Announced
- 2014 AMC 8 Winners for the U.S. Ivy League Education Center
- Why Discrete Math is very Important
Class Outline:
We will focus on efficient tricks, shortcuts, and strategies to solve competitive math problems as well as test-taking tactics. The emphasis of this class will be on comprehensively problem-solving which is the most important to competitive math.
| Class | Date | Topic |
| 1 | 9/10, Sat | Counting and Combinatorics |
| 2 | 9/17, Sat | Probability |
| 3 | 9/24, Sat | Number Theory |
| 4 | 10/1, Sat | Sequences and Patterns |
| 5 | 10/8, Sat | Statistics and Data Analysis |
| 6 | 10/15, Sat | Arithmetic and Proportional Reasoning |
| 7 | 10/22, Sat | Variables, Expressions , and Equations |
| 8 | 10/29, Sat | Algebra and Coordinate Geometry |
| 9 | 11/5, Sat | Plane Geometry |
| 10 | 11/12, Sat | 3-D Geometry |
| 11 | 11/19, Sat | Comprehensive problem-solving |
Mock Test:
Three simulated tests will help students assess their level of preparation for the Math Competitions. The test consists of 25 questions at the AMC 8/MathCounts level from the licensed AMC Database, and is intended to mimic an actual math competition exam. After attempting the test, students get answers, explanations, and a detailed score report and wise performance summary.
Homework
On average, at least 2 hours per week, as described in the article: Homework assignments are a fundamental part of our courses. Click HERE to see a typical homework sample we developed. We will carefully review and check students’ homework, and correct any mistakes. Based on the student work, we will provide him/her with individualized help and support. More details can be found in the article: Homework Correction is very Important — We Give an Extensive Correction of the Incorrect Answers of All Homework.
We have to face the simple truth that to do well on these grueling contests, we will need to practice. Just like it is for sports and music, the key to success is repetition and practice. We strongly believe in effort and the malleability of intelligence. Intelligence can be enhanced through effort. People can develop impressive levels of expertise through hard work and practice. Effort and persistence are the keys to success. Hard work always pays off: practice makes perfect!
All problems from past AMC 8 exams (1985-2015) and MathCounts (1990–2016) form our “big data” system. We have used data mining and predictive analytics to examine the types and the frequencies of questions in all these materials, and then completely “decoded” the AMC 8 and MathCounts. We will show all the “secret code” cracked from the above big data to students, and teach them to totally grasp and “control” the AMC and MathCounts. For all questions on the recent AMC/MathCounts contests, we can find their “ancestors” and “roots” from the old AMC/MathCounts problems. Therefore, the best way to prepare for the contest is to practice by solving old AMC/MathCounts problems.
Main Purpose:
Our main purpose is to help our students gain deeper understanding of the fundamental math concepts, build a solid foundation in math, and develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are so valuable to success in any career. We are big believers in the FUNDAMENTALS! Our students will receive the LIFELONG BENEFITS from learning math.
Regardless of his/her math level, each student will have the opportunity to learn math in a fun, friendly, cooperative, supportive learning environment. The most important thing is to have fun.
Our Students
In 2016, we have 36 students who are qualified to take AIME either through AMC 10A/12A or AMC 10B/12B. One of our students was among the 23Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 10A: Joel (Junyao) T. Particularly, seven middle schoolers and one elementary schooler qualified for the AIME, which is geared toward high school students. Pravalika P., a 6th grader, got a 115.5 out of 150 on the AMC10B, which is very impressive. Read more at: 2016 AIME Qualifiers Announced — 36 Students Qualified for AIME
From 2011 to 2015, in total, 37 students scored above 120 on the American Mathematics Contest 10 (AMC 10) and qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME); 26 students scored above 100 on the American Mathematics Contest 12 (AMC 12) and qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME); 3 students qualified for the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), the highest level of math competition for high school students in the USA. Read more at: Notable Achievements of Our Students
Our Uniqueness
We have a long history of close collaboration with the MAA‘s American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), which are dedicated to strengthening the mathematical capabilities of our nation’s youth, and are the first of a series of competitions in high school mathematics that determine the United States team for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
We are only one in the Washington DC metropolitan area to offer elementary, middle, and high-school level competition math courses. Our students have received top scores and awards at prestigious national and math competitions.
We have extracted 5,000 brand new problems at the level of the AMC 8 from the licensed AMC Database. In addition, we have also collected all AMC8/10/12 and AIME Official Solutions as shown in the article “American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) Materials.” All these materials have formed a golden resource for our students, who are the ultimate beneficiaries.
Click HERE find out more about Math Competitions!
Read more at:
Why are We Unique?
Why are We Unique?
We have purchased 12 full-length real redesigned SATs and 2 full-length real redesigned PSATs from the College Board as described in Table 2. These test booklets contain 792 math questions.
Specific Goal: To earn a score of 120 or more out of 150 on the American Mathematics Contest 10 (AMC 10), or a score of 100 or more out of 150 on the American Mathematics Contest 12 (AMC 12), and then qualify for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME), which is used to determine qualification for the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO). See for more details: 
Ivy League Education Center 