SCMC VII (Spring 2026)

We cordially invite you to compete at SCMC VII (Spring 2026), the seventh edition of our competition!

Registration

Registration will open in early February and close on Friday, 6 March.

Please note that, due to logistical constraints, all in-person competitors beyond the first 120 to register will be placed on a waitlist; you will be notified if you are placed on the waitlist and will receive an update one week before the competition on whether we are able to accommodate you in-person. If we are unable to do so, you may choose instead to compete online (more info on that below).

Competition format

As of January 2026, the below information has not yet been finalized, and is thus still subject to change.

• Competitors may choose to compete individually, or as part of a team of 4 students.

• Competitors may choose to compete in one of the following difficulty levels. Please note that all competitors on a team must compete in the same difficulty level.

  • SCMC A: More difficult problems; mid-AMC to early-AIME level

  • SCMC B: Less difficult problems; early-AMC to late-AMC level

• The competition consists of the following rounds:

  • Individual round: 15 problems, 90 minutes

  • Team round: 10 problems, 45 minutes

  • Guts round: 5 increasingly difficult sets of 4 problems, 60 minutes

  • Tiebreaker round (if needed): Top 4 A and top 4 B competitors solve 2 problems as fast as possible; held during lunch

  • Lightning round: Live round inspired by MATHCOUNTS' Countdown Round for top 4 A and top 4 B competitors

Compete in-person or online!

We strongly encourage all competitors to compete in-person if possible. If you live too far away from USC or are otherwise unable to come to campus on the day of the competition, we will also offer an online option. 

Please note the following restrictions for online competitors, to protect the integrity of the competition:

• The online competition will be considered unofficial; only in-person competitors will be eligible for awards. Standings and scores for online competitors will not be published; they will be sent individually to online competitors after the competition.

• Online competitors will compete as individuals, in the Individual Round only. Problems from the team-based rounds will be sent out on the day of the competition, but we will not be collecting answers to these problems or scoring them.