University students take the first phase of the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad (OBM) exam this Friday.

The first phase of the Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad (OBM) for university-level students will take place this Friday (September 1st). More than 920 undergraduates from all over the country will participate in this stage of the competition.

Organized in 1979 by the Brazilian Mathematical Society (SBM), the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad (OBM) emerged with the objective of stimulating the study of mathematics by students, developing and improving the skills of teachers, influencing the improvement of the teaching of the subject and, finally, discovering new talents. The university level was created in 2001.

In 2017, the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad (OBM) merged with the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad for Public Schools (OBMEP) and underwent changes. At the university level, it remained composed of two phases, but with individual registration by the students. Previously, this task was the responsibility of the university coordinators.

The first phase exam will be administered this Friday by 104 university coordinators from higher education institutions across all regions of Brazil. The cutoff score and those who qualify for the next phase will be announced on September 27th. Those who pass will take the second phase exams on October 21st and 22nd.

The winners of the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad (OBM) will be announced on December 20th. The number of gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded will be approximately 1:2:3 in each level, respecting the best final scores in descending order. The number of honorable mentions will also be determined according to the criteria of the judging panel.

The awards ceremony will be held during Olympic Week, which is expected to take place in early 2018.