This is a special collection of problems that were given to select applicants during
oral entrance exams to the Department of Mechanics and Mathematics of Moscow State Uni-
versity. These problems were designed to prevent Jewish candidates and other “undesirables”
from getting a passing grade, thus preventing them from studying at MSU. Among problems
that were used by the department to blackball unwanted candidate students, these problems
are distinguished by having a simple solution that is usually difficult to find. Using some prob-
lems with a simple solution protected the administration from extra complaints and appeals.
This collection, therefore, has mathematical as well as historical value.