Putnam
The Premier Undergraduate Mathematics Competition
The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition® (the Putnam) is the preeminent mathematics competition for undergraduate college students in the United States and Canada.
What began as a friendly competition between mathematics departments at colleges and universities back in 1938 has become the leading university-level mathematics examination in the world – and winning a prestigious accomplishment.
Each December, thousands of the brightest math students from hundreds of colleges and universities compete to win top honors. Although participants work independently on the six-hour exam’s problems, there is also a team aspect to the competition.
Cash prizes are awarded to the highest-ranked team’s math department and their student members and Putnam Fellows who are the highest-ranking individuals.
The Elizabeth Lowell Putnam Prize is also awarded to a woman whose performance in the competition is particularly meritorious.
The MAA is proud to organize the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition through the generous support of the William Lowell Putnam Prize Fund.
The 84th Annual Putnam Competition
The 84th William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition® took place on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, and was proctored in person on campuses across the US and Canada.
Congratulations to all of the winners. Expand each category below for a list of winners listed alphabetically.
Last year's winners
The Putnam Fellows – Ranked 1-5
Winners ranke 1-5
Honorable Mentions
And a hearty thank you to everyone who made the 84th Putnam possible:
- Putnam Problems Committee
- Contributors Of Additional Problems For The Competition
- Competition Leadership
The 85th Annual Putnam Competition
The date for the 85th Putnam Competition will be announced soon.
Putnam FAQ
You can register to help supervise your local Putnam Competition starting September 1, 2023. Registration is available at _______.
Registration closes on DATE.
Registration deadline is TBA
No. The Putnam Competition is open only to actively enrolled undergraduate students who have not yet received a bachelor’s degree.
No. You must be enrolled in an undergraduate institution in the US or Canada to be eligible to participate.
If you meet the eligibility requirements but your institution does not have a Putnam local supervisor, ask a faculty member (perhaps the math department chair) to become the Putnam local supervisor for your institution. If no faculty member is willing to play this role, then you will be unable to participate.
No. Students who are concurrently in high school but are also taking classes at a US or Canadian college or university on a regular basis are deemed to be “regularly enrolled” undergraduates.
Please note: A student may participate in the official Putnam Competition at most four times. Generally, we discourage high school students from exhausting their eligibility.
Remember, you are ineligible if you are not regularly enrolled as an undergraduate at an institution of higher education.
Yes. A student may participate in the official Putnam Competition at most four times.
Note: The 81st Putnam Competition which took place in February 2021 was unofficial and does not count toward the maximum four entries.
Yes
Yes
Possibly. Arrangements can sometimes be made to take the exam at another registered institution. Discuss this with your local supervisor.
Bring pencils or pens (blue or black ink) and the Putnam Identification Number (PIN) that you were given at the registration platform. Nothing else is needed.
Supervisors provide clean, white paper. Calculators, computers, references, and drawing tools are not allowed, and cell phones must be turned off and stowed away during the exam.