How hard is Putnam math?

The Putnam Competition is widely regarded as one of the most difficult mathematics competitions in the world. This year’s competition was taken by 4,638 students, of whom 1,145 achieved a score of zero out of a possible 120 points, and only 1,274 students scored more than 10 points.

What is the average score on the Putnam exam?

In general, the Putnam is an example of a competition with an extremely long tail. The average score is usually between 2 and 8 (1 problem completely corrrect = 10 points), and the top scorers often get 100+ points of 120 – which is ridiculously hard to do.

How many questions are on Putnam?

twelve questions
Each of the twelve questions is worth 10 points, and the most frequent scores above zero are 10 points for a complete solution, 9 points for a nearly complete solution, and 1 point for the beginnings of a solution. In earlier years, the twelve questions were worth one point each, with no partial credit given.

What topics are on the Putnam?

What topics are covered on the Putnam Competition? Geometry, algebra, trigonometry, calculus, linear algebra, combinatorics (counting), probability, number theory, complex numbers and differential equations, to name a few. Often, you will have to figure out what topic to use to answer a certain problem.

What kind of Math is in the Putnam Competition?

According to the official website, “The Putnam Competition covers a range of material in undergraduate mathematics, including elementary concepts from linear algebra, modern algebra, analysis, and number theory.” Even though the questions are meant for undergrad students, you’ll need to have very strong math skills to do well.

Do you think the Putnam exam tests mathematical maturity?

I definitely think the Putnam exam tests mathematical “maturity” just as much as talent or raw knowledge. By maturity, I mean the somewhat less tangible things we pick up like gauging a problem’s difficulty, anticipating the necessary techniques, knowing how to construct an intelligible argument, and knowing when to move on.

Are there any books that help with the Putnam?

Books in a similar vein from the “other” sciences, like Feynman, can be surprisingly helpful as well – the techniques of discovery. The people who did well on the Putnam tend to have experience from high school. My sophomore year in college, I answered 3 questions on the test.

Are there any special Putnam preparation courses?

There were no special Putnam preparation courses, but I did take reading courses (both before the first Putnam attempt and between the two attempts) from a professor whose idea of “reading” was “struggling with problems”. That undoubtedly helped, and I surely learned some more math during the year between my two attempts]