The University of Southern Maine Department of Mathematics and Statistics will host the 87th annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition on Saturday, December 5, 2026. The Putnam exam is one of the most challenging and prestigious undergraduate mathematics competitions in North America, attracting thousands of students from colleges and universities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
First held in 1938, the competition is administered by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). It was established to encourage mathematical study and friendly competition among college students. Over the years, it has become a recognized tradition in undergraduate mathematics, challenging students to apply creativity, logical reasoning, and mathematical insight to unfamiliar problems.
About the Putnam Competition
The Putnam, known for its unusually challenging problems, is the Premier Undergraduate Mathematics Competition. Unlike conventional mathematics exams, which often emphasize applying familiar techniques to familiar problems, the Putnam places a strong emphasis on mathematical reasoning, creativity, and constructing rigorous proofs. Problems may draw on subjects such as algebra, calculus, number theory, combinatorics, geometry, and analysis, but often require students to make connections between different areas of mathematics.
The competition consists of 12 problems, each worth up to 10 points, for a total possible score of 120. Even among highly capable mathematics students, earning points can be difficult. Historically, the median score has often been zero, illustrating the difficulty of the problems. Successfully solving even one or two problems represents a meaningful accomplishment.
The competition recognizes both individual and institutional performance. The five highest-scoring participants are named Putnam Fellows, one of the most distinguished honors available to undergraduate mathematics students. The MAA also recognizes the highest-performing university teams, with each institution’s team score determined by the combined performance of its three highest-scoring participants. Additional awards recognize outstanding individual performances.
2026 Exam Format
Beginning in 2026, the Putnam has adopted a new four-session format, replacing the previous arrangement of two three-hour sessions. Each of the four sessions lasts 90 minutes and contains three problems. The new schedule includes more frequent designated breaks.
The USM exam schedule is:
- Session A: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Session B: 12:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
- Break: 2:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Session C: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Session D: 5:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
The competition is conducted under standardized conditions. Students work independently, without calculators, computers, reference materials, or outside assistance. Solutions must demonstrate mathematical reasoning rather than simply provide numerical answers.
Who Can Participate?
The Putnam is open to regularly enrolled undergraduate students who have not yet received a bachelor’s degree. Students do not need to be mathematics majors to participate, and there is no requirement that they be pursuing a degree in mathematics. Students from all academic disciplines who enjoy mathematical problem-solving are encouraged to consider taking the exam.
Students may participate in the official competition up to four times during their undergraduate careers.
Registration at USM
Students interested in participating may register at any time up until the competition begins on Saturday, December 5. Registration instructions and additional information are available from James Dibble at james.dibble@maine.edu.
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics encourages interested USM undergraduates to take advantage of this opportunity to participate in a longstanding national mathematics competition and challenge themselves with some of the most interesting and demanding problems in undergraduate mathematics.
Students interested in getting a sense of the competition can explore previous Putnam exams and solutions through the MAA Putnam Competition website. Reviewing past problems is a good way to become familiar with the style and difficulty of the questions.