# Nebraska Math Day

UNL's statewide math competition for Nebraska high schoolers: the free PROBE I and PROBE II exams taken at your own school in October, then a campus Math Bowl in November. Math Day 2026 is Tuesday, November 10.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Mathematics |
| Category | stem |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | Lincoln, NE |
| Program dates | 2026-11-10 |
| Apply | https://math.unl.edu/math-day/ |

## About this program

# Nebraska Math Day

Math Day is the University of Nebraska-Lincoln mathematics department's annual statewide competition, drawing thousands of Nebraska high school students each fall. It combines a two-stage individual exam taken at students' own schools with a team tournament held on the UNL campus. Nebraska Math Day 2026 "will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 10."

## What You'll Do

- Sit PROBE I at your own school in early October - "a one-hour, multiple-choice exam that is machine-graded" that all participants enter
- If you place in the top 50 to 70, sit PROBE II, "a one-hour essay exam that emphasizes knowledge, depth of understanding and written expression"
- Travel to UNL in November for the Math Bowl, "a Swiss-system tournament similar to bridge and chess" in which "Each team is guaranteed to play five rounds"
- Compete in either the Competitive or Recreational Math Bowl class
- Attend challenges and presentations run for students who are not on bowl teams

## Who Should Apply

Math Day "is designed for students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 and for exceptional students in lower grades." Homeschooled students may participate with prior approval and a registration code from UNL Mathematics. Schools register through UNL's SciMath Registration Portal. There is no cost for students to take the PROBE I and II exams; schools entering the bowl competition pay $100, which covers lunches for up to four students and two chaperones.

## Outcomes

Math Day pairs a free, low-friction entry exam that any Nebraska school can administer with a campus-based team tournament and scholarship recognition - one of the widest-reaching state mathematics competitions in the Midwest.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Nebraska Math Day cost?

Nebraska Math Day is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for Nebraska Math Day?

Nebraska Math Day is open to high school students in grades 9–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Nebraska Math Day online or in person?

Nebraska Math Day is an in-person program based in Lincoln, NE.

### How do I apply to Nebraska Math Day?

Apply directly through University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Mathematics's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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