86th William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition
This year, the 86th William Lowell Putnam competition will be held on Saturday, December 6th, 2025 in Vincent Hall Room 16 on the East Bank Campus. This is a test of mathematical creativity in problem solving, and is directed to students of science and engineering, as well as mathematics.
The exam consists of two three-hour sessions (9am - noon, and 2pm - 5pm), punctuated by a two-hour lunch break. While taking the exam, each participant works independently, and participation also includes a pledge not to post or discuss the exam questions online or otherwise before 7 p.m. (“8 p.m. EST”, which is the end of the exam on the West Coast) that day. The questions posed in previous editions are posted (together with solutions) on the examination website, and the “Putnam Exam Archive” managed by Kiran Kedlaya displays many more.
You are eligible to compete if you are an undergraduate student currently studying here (even as a visiting student), do not already hold a Bachelor's degree (or its equivalent or superior), and have not already participated in four of the previous competitions.
Practice sessions will be held every week until the date of the exam, starting on October 10th, from 3:00 - 4:30pm. Please see the full practice schedule below for specific practice dates, times, and locations. To RSVP for the practice sessions please fill out this Math Comp and Problem Solving Club Interest Form.
Students are also encouraged to join the Putnam Practice Discord for more information and details about the Putnam exam, and the practice sessions.
Note: you are not required to RSVP to attend Putnam practice sessions, all are welcome!
Full schedule of practice sessions:
- Friday, October 10th, 3:00pm - 4:30 pm, Vincent Hall 207
- Friday, October 17th, 3:00pm - 4:30 pm, Vincent Hall 207
- Friday, October 24th, 3:00pm - 4:30 pm, Vincent Hall 207
- Monday, November 3rd, 3:00pm - 4:30 pm, Vincent Hall 215
- Monday November 10th, 3:00pm - 4:30 pm, Vincent Hall 215
- Friday, November 14th, 3:00pm - 4:30 pm, Vincent Hall 207
- Friday, November 21st, 3:00pm - 4:30 pm, Vincent Hall 207
- Monday, December 1st, 3:00pm - 4:30 pm, Vincent Hall 215
