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About the Calculus Placement Exam

The Mathematics Department offers a Calculus Placement Exam. Other than the exception (stated below), we ask that ALL students The Mathematics Department offers a Calculus Placement Exam. Other than the exception (stated below), we ask that ALL students (Art & Sciences, Business, Engineering, Architecture, Art) who are planning to take a calculus course during their time at Washington University take this test online. (Art & Sciences, Business, Engineering, Architecture, Art) who are planning to take a calculus course during their time at Washington University take this test online.

Exception:
If you scored a "5" on the AP Calculus Exam, either the AB or BC version, you need not take the test, although you are welcome to do so if you like.
If you scored less than "5" on the BC exam, but had an AB subscore of "5" you do not need to take the placement exam if you plan to enroll in Calculus II. However, you should take the exam if you are considering enrolling in Calculus III. (We'd recommend considering Calculus III if your BC score was "4".)

See Department Policy on Advanced Placement

There are three versions of the Calculus Placement Exam, testing your readiness for Calculus I, Calculus II, or Calculus III. For example, the "Readiness for Calculus III" exam covers topics from Calculus I and Calculus II. You can choose which exam to take.

In order to get reasonable advice about placement, you need to allow yourself two hours of uninterrupted time during which you can concentrate on the exam.

The online exam must be completed by 5PM on Friday, August 25, 2008 in order for the recommendations to be forwarded to the advisors.

Students with special needs, such as those who require an enlarged copy for low vision, or those with a certified test-taking disability requiring extra time, should contact the Disability Resource Center. These students will receive a paper copy of the examination.

Students will be given their scores and course enrollment recommendation after completing the exam online. They should print a copy of this recommendation and bring it with them when they meet with their advisors. Their scores and recommendations will also be forwarded to the appropriate dean’s office. Your score can also be looked up later.

The "recommendation" is just that: it is advisory. The final decision about course selection can be made between the student and his/her advisor.

Questions? Contact Dr. Blake Thornton 314-935-6301

Washington University Calculus Placement Exams

Welcome to the Washington University Math Placement exam page. You can choose to take tests to determine readiness for Calculus I, II, or III. You will have 2 hours once you begin. Each exam is 30 questions, and you will get your results at the end of the exam.

If you are not a Washington University incoming student, you may still take this exam and get the results. We feel that these exams are pretty typical of Calculus I, II, and III at any university.

For incoming Washington University students : YOU WILL NOT GET CREDIT FOR CALCULUS CLASSES JUST BY DOING WELL ON THIS EXAM. The only way to get credit for a lower level calculus course is to successfully take a higher course (or by a score of 5 on an AP Calculus Exam). So taking Calculus II only gives you credit for Calculus I once you have completed Calculus II. To receive credit you must fill out a form in the Mathematics Department office in Cupples I hall.

We recommend that you do not study for this exam. This test is designed to be administered during the summer after a student has been away from school for several months. If you take an exam and get a low score, then you have the option of taking the exam for a lower class.

Based on the results of the exam, you and your academic advisor will together decide what course you should take. The results from this test will not be the only factor in placing you in a course. Other factors such as high school record and AP scores will be used.

Exams

Note : Choosing an exam will display some sample questions. You may at any time also decide to take a different exam by coming back to this page.

If you have not had calculus before, or want to take Calculus I then choose Readiness for Calculus I
If you had some calculus in high school and think you might be ready for Calculus II then choose Readiness for Calculus II
If you have an extensive background in calculus and want to take Calculus III then choose Readiness for Calculus III

Restart an Exam

If you were in the middle of an exam and had to exit, then restart your exam.

View your scores

If you have already taken the exam and want to view your scores, then view your scores.

Calculus for students in Engineering

Because of the nature of engineering coursework, we recommend engineering students complete Calculus III before the start of their sophomore year. It is generally best for engineering students to complete Calculus II during the fall semester and then complete Calculus III during the spring semester of the freshman year. However, if the results of this on-line exam indicate that you are not ready to take Calculus II during the fall semester of your freshman year, following one of the options below will keep you on track.

Complete Calculus I during the summer before arriving at Washington University. Calculus I can be taken at Washington University, or at a college, university, or community college close to home. Students can complete Calculus I at the Washington University Freshman Summer Academic Program. (There are a limited number of seats for this program; the application deadline is in mid-May.)
Complete Calculus I in the fall semester and Calculus II in the spring semester of freshman year at Washington University. Then complete Calculus III during the summer before the start of your sophomore year at Washington University. Calculus III can be completed during the summer months at Washington University, or at a college, university, or community college close to home.

Students who have not completed Calculus III before the start of their sophomore year can still earn engineering degrees. These students may need to complete other coursework during the summer months in order to graduate within a four-year period, or to take an extra semester to complete their degrees.

If you choose to take a Calculus course at another college, university, or community college, you may wish to visit the following link to see if the course has been accepted by the School of Engineering for transfer credit in the past: http://registrar.seas.wustl.edu/EVALS/evals.asp

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Chris Kroeger, Associate Dean and Registrar, School of Engineering and Applied Science, (314)935-6169, or by email at: CK@SEAS.WUSTL.EDU.

Washington University Math Department Home Page

Page maintained by Blake Thornton

Please send comments and suggestions to blake@math.wustl.edu