Putnam Exam: What It Is and Why It Matters for Math Students

When you hear the name Putnam Exam, a prestigious annual mathematics competition for undergraduate students in the United States and Canada. Also known as the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, it’s the gold standard for testing raw problem-solving skill, not just textbook knowledge. This isn’t a test you study for by memorizing formulas—it’s a battle of creativity, logic, and persistence. Only the most dedicated math undergrads even attempt it, and those who score well often go on to top PhD programs or careers in research, finance, or tech.

The Putnam Exam, a six-hour, two-session test with 12 problems, each worth 10 points. Also known as Putnam Competition, it’s designed to be brutally hard—half the participants score zero, and a score of 20 puts you in the top 10%. The problems look simple at first glance but hide layers of insight. They draw from algebra, calculus, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics, but rarely ask for standard solutions. You need to think like a mathematician, not a student. Schools like Harvard, MIT, Caltech, and Princeton send their strongest math majors. But it’s not just for elite universities—any undergrad enrolled in a participating school can enter. That’s why you’ll see students from small liberal arts colleges outperforming bigger names. The exam doesn’t care where you’re from—it only cares if you can solve the problem.

What makes the Putnam unique isn’t just the difficulty—it’s the culture around it. Study groups form months in advance. Professors hand out past papers like sacred texts. Students spend nights wrestling with one problem, not because they’re forced to, but because they love the chase. The top scorers get cash prizes, scholarships, and instant credibility. But the real reward? Proving to yourself that you can tackle something almost no one else can.

Below, you’ll find real stories, strategies, and resources from people who’ve taken the Putnam—some aced it, others failed hard but learned more than they ever did in class. Whether you’re preparing for your first try or just curious why this exam terrifies and inspires math students alike, these posts give you the unfiltered truth.