AMC · Years 1–2
AMC Early Primary: a gentle preparation guide for Years 1 and 2
By AceScore · Updated · 5 min read
A child can be quick at arithmetic and still find an unfamiliar problem difficult. Early Primary preparation is a chance to practise noticing conditions, drawing a useful picture and explaining a choice. Start with a few enjoyable problems rather than a full paper every day.
Check the Early Primary format separately
At our 15 October 2026 check, the Australian Maths Trust describes its Early Primary pilot for Years 1 and 2 as an online paper with 25 questions: 20 multiple-choice and five integer-answer questions, in 50 minutes. AMT says Early Primary will join its standard AMC offerings from 2027. Confirm the arrangements for your child's sitting with the school and AMT; do not assume the format of another primary division applies.
The activities below are original AceScore practice suggestions. They are not official AMT questions or a prediction of the competition paper.
Official source: AMT: Australian Mathematics Competition and Early Primary information
Build a ten-minute routine
Try this routine two or three times in a week, adjusting it to your child's attention and interest. Ten minutes is a suggested home routine, not an official recommendation or a target every child must meet.
- Choose two or three questions. Start without a timer and let your child make an attempt before helping.
- Ask what the question wants and which facts matter. If you read aloud during home practice, record that help rather than counting the attempt as independent.
- Invite a drawing, counters or a small list. Ask how the representation matches the words.
- Finish by revisiting one idea. A child who can explain one new strategy has something useful to carry into the next session.
Example 1: count the gaps, not just the objects
AceScore original example
Five flags stand in a straight row. There are 2 metres between each neighbouring pair. How far is it from the first flag to the last?
Show the answer and reasoning
8 metres. Five flags create four gaps, so the distance is 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8 metres.
Draw five dots and mark the spaces between them. If your child says 10 metres, ask them to point to each of the five distances they counted. Then try three flags, and ask what changes when one more flag is added.
Example 2: keep track of a hidden amount
AceScore original example
Mia has 4 more shells than Leo. Together they have 14 shells. How many shells does Leo have?
Show the answer and reasoning
Leo has 5 shells. Put Mia's four extra shells aside. The remaining 10 shells split into two equal groups of 5. Mia has 9, and 9 + 5 = 14.
Use counters or draw two rows. Ask your child to check both conditions: the total must be 14 and the difference must be 4. Finding a pair with the correct total alone is not enough.
Turn a wrong answer into the next activity
Sort the difficulty before choosing more questions. Did your child misunderstand a word, miss a condition, lose track while counting, or know the method but make an arithmetic slip? Those need different follow-ups. For a missed condition, underline the condition and check it against the answer. For counting, organise objects into rows or a list.
A day or two later, change the numbers and ask for the same strategy without showing the solution. Being able to use the idea again is better evidence of understanding than repeating an answer from memory. Avoid treating the score from a small set as a reliable award forecast.
When your child is comfortable with independent attempts, browse the AMC catalogue and read the level and instructions of an available paper. Follow the actual competition's rules for any official sitting; home supports such as counters or reading aloud should not be assumed to be allowed there.