Math Placement Exam Policies for Precalculus and Calculus 1

(2/20/2008)

Math Placement Exam Requirement

Students planning to take Precalculus (MAT123M) or Calculus 1 (MAT124M) must take a math placement exam to enroll or maintain enrollment (if pre-registered) in the course. The purpose of the exam is to assist the math department and students in selecting the course best suited to a student's current math skills. The placement exam may be taken only one time per testing cycle*. Students enrolling in a course requiring the math placement exam must take the exam in the testing cycle corresponding to the course. Consequently, students with older placement exam scores must retake the exam. As Calculus and Precalculus are usually offered at the same times, a student enrolled in Calculus who wishes to transfer into Precalculus (or vice versa) after taking the Placement Exam will generally be able to do so.

* Each testing cycle corresponds to only one semester (fall or spring) and includes testing times offered during registration for that semester, and on the first or second day of classes of that semester. Fall semesters also include a testing time during Welcome Week. Testing Cycle Diagram

Course Contracts

Students who do not score at an appropriate level for their course may still take the course after signing a course contract. Contracts must be signed by the end of the first week of classes. The course contract holds the student accountable for correcting deficiencies in the student's background.

Precalculus Students Who Take Calculus

Students who take Precalculus at Bethel in the semester immediately preceding their enrollment in Calculus are excused from taking the placement exam.

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