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Registration for the William Powell Putnam Mathematical Competition, described by Time magazine as “the world’s toughest math test,” is due today. Students may sign up outside Pardee room 224 or email Derek Smith, assistant professor of mathematics.
The competition will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, the day after classes end, with two full days available before exams begin the next Tuesday.
“Of course, you are not expected to get a high score on the exam, or even get a positive score at all,” notes the math department. “The median score two years ago was 0 out of 120. Just take it for fun, and hold out some hope that you just might get something right on one or two problems.”
The exam has two parts, one from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and another from 3-6 p.m. Students can come to one or both portions. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Lafayette scored within the top five percent of undergraduate institutions in the nation taking the exam last school year (see related story).