This competition consists of two parts, which are added together to determine score: The Top 100 scorers on the combined score of both parts of the competition are honored at an awards banquet, usually at the host university, although recent years have seen more than 100 people being awarded due to ties.
The problems on the competition range from basic algebra to precalculus and are within the grasp of a high schooler's mathematical knowledge.
It is common for the winner of the competition to score anywhere from 90 to 95 points due to the difficulty of the exam.
Through 2018, the only perfect scores were achieved in 2015, by Ankan Bhattacharya of International Academy East, and in 2016, by Chittesh Thavamani and Freddie Zhao, both of Troy High School.
Everyone in the Top 50 receives a scholarship ranging in size from $250 to $2500 In the 2012 contest, Akhil Nistala became the first winner in Novi High School history, breaking a streak of 6 consecutive top scorers for Detroit Country Day School.