The test seemed strange since many kids by sophomore year have calculus and not even the AMC 12 had calculus. Although I looked at some of the questions and it seemed difficult at least to me.
It's not about the tools but how you use them. The AMCs are all about problem solving ability. DS, who is half-way through his school's version of Pre-calculus, is just now able to solve most of the AMC10 problems (under test conditions). As for AMC12, he tried one sample test and there were many problems he couldn't solve and quite a few of those he still wouldn't be able to solve even with extra time.
