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William L. Putnam Mathematical Competition - Information
The Skidmore College Dept. of Mathematics & Computer Science participates in the annual William L. Putnam Mathematical Competition, commonly known as the Putnam Exam. Each year, typically on the first Saturday in December, individual students (together with a group of three students who represent Skidmore as a team) convene on campus and take the 6-hour exam along with thousands of other undergraduate mathematics students throughout the United States & Canada.
The Putnam Exam is a notoriously challenging exam consisting of 12 problems (6 in the morning session, 6 in the afternoon) which go beyond what is typically covered in a classroom. These problems cut across many areas of specialty, and are designed to test "originality as well as technical competence", according to the announcement brochure.
The competition is open only to regularly enrolled undergraduates in colleges & universities of the United States & Canada, who have not yet received a college degree. No individual may participate more than four times.
Prizes and scholarships are available to the highest ranking individuals and to the five winning teams. Institutions throughout the United States & Canada are encouraged to offer fellowships to high ranking contestants in the competition.
In addition, the Elizabeth Lowell Putnam Prize will be awarded periodically to a woman whose performance on the Putnam Exam has been deemed particularly meritorious. This prize would be in addition to any other prizes she might otherwise win.