IMSA Excels on National Math Exam

For Immediate Release, April 2001
For comment, contact Brenda Buschbacher at (630) 907-5033

AURORA-- The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) placed first in the nation on this year’s American Mathematics Contest 12 Exam (AMC-12); 4,615 high schools took the AMC-12 exam.

IMSA’s team score (top three individual scores) was 410 points out of a possible 450 points. In addition, IMSA had 86 students achieve national honor roll status and qualify to take the American Invitational Math Exam. (see attached list of students, by hometown). Out of 154,372 students taking the AMC-12 exam, only 9,030 students achieved national honor roll status. In addition, IMSA student Zhihao Liu of Lisle was one of only six students nationwide who received a perfect score of 150.

In the AMC-12 Exam, students are given 75 minutes to answer 25 difficult multiple choice questions. Students who score 100 or better then are eligible to take the American Invitational Math Exam (AIME). Based on the combined scores of the AMC-12 and the AIME, students qualify for the United States Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO). The USAMO team will be announced later this spring.

Located in Aurora, Illinois, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) is an internationally-recognized pioneering educational institution created by the State to develop talent and stimulate excellence in teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12. More than 14,000 teachers and 20,000 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from IMSA's professional development and enrichment programs. IMSA serves the people of Illinois through innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy leadership and action research.