The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition @ UC Riverside
The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition an annual mathematics competition for undergraduate students enrolled at institutions in the United States and Canada. Competitors solve challenging math problems from various fields of mathematics, and solutions require strong math skills. Putnam competition was first offered in 1938, and since then have grown to one of the most prestigious mathematical University-level contests, gathering more than 4000 students each year. For more information, please visit the MAA Putnam competition website.
The Putnam Competition consists of two three-hour sessions: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Session A) and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Session B). There are 6 challenging problems in each session. You can find problems from previous competitions here: [link].
The next Putnam Competition will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025. To register as a participant of the competition at UC Riverside, please email me and request the registration link (Registration will open on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.) A Putnam Identification Number (PIN) will be assigned upon registration, it will be needed to participate in the competition. Please make sure to meet eligibility criteria for the Putnam Competition: The Putnam Competition is open only to actively enrolled undergraduate students who have not yet received a bachelor’s degree. No student may participate in the competition more than four times (not counting the unofficial 81st Putnam competition).
We also offer informal training sessions during the fall quarter. If you are interested in participating in the Putnam Competition at UCR and/or attending training sessions, please contact Dr. Mykhailo Potomkin (email: mykhailp@ucr.edu).
Useful links & book references: