Mathematics Placement and Proficiency
Math Placement
Math placement for incoming freshmen is done using the U of I Math Placement Exam through ALEKS. Information about ALEKS is at http://www.math.illinois.edu/ALEKS/.
Advanced Placement Exam in Calculus
- Students will receive credit for Math 220 if they score a 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB exam or score a 3 on the BC exam with an AB subscore of 4 or 5.
- Students will receive credit for both Math 220 and 231 if they receive a 4 or 5 on the Calculus BC exam.
Engineering students who receive AP credit for Math 220 are strongly encouraged to take one of the special Engineering large lectures of Math 231. This is also recommended for Engineering students who receive a 4 on the BC exam, though technically they will already have credit for Math 231. Engineering students with a 5 on the BC exam may choose to move on to Math 241.
Mathematics Proficiency Examinations
The Department of Mathematics offers proficiency examinations in certain undergraduate courses to allow students to obtain college credit by demonstrating proficiency in the course material. Some courses do not permit proficiency examinations; see "Exclusions" below. A proficiency examination is comparable to a three-hour written final examination in that course, and a grade of C- or better is needed in order for course credit to be awarded.
These examinations demand more than an elementary acquaintance with the course material. The student must have solid command of the concepts and problem solving skills for the course and therefore should attempt a proficiency examination only after proper study and preparation. Proficiency examinations are not for placement or diagnostic purposes, but are only for awarding credit to students who demonstrate thorough knowledge of the course material.
A proficiency examination is not allowed in the following situations:
- the student has completed two courses whose content is beyond the course for which credit is sought;
- the student has already taken the course and received either a failing grade or a grade of NC on a credit/no credit basis. In the latter case, the student has the option of taking a "special examination."
Campus-wide regulations on proficiency and special examinations are found in Rules 3-203 and 3-204 online at http://www.admin.illinois.edu/policy/code/.
Timing and Sign-Up
Proficiency examinations are normally given from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on the first and seventh Saturdays of each semester and on one Saturday during the summer session. Students must register for an examination in 273 Altgeld Hall by 5 p.m. the Wednesday preceding the date of the examination. If a student signs up for an examination but does not appear and write it, that will count as an attempt (see "Number of Attempts" below). However, a student may cancel a sign-up without penalty up until 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the examination date. Upcoming examination dates are:
January 23, 2010
March 6, 2010
June 19, 2010
August 28, 2010
October 9, 2010
In addition, a proficiency examination in Math 220 can be taken in August by entering students on the Thursday of New Student Welcome Week. This examination only is multiple choice and no advance sign-up is needed for it. New students may simply walk in and take the examination at the time and place announced in the New Student Week Bulletin.
Students may get a course syllabus for the proficiency examination from the Department of Mathematics syllabi webpage. Students may also check in the mathematics library (216 Altgeld Hall) for old exams to read to prepare for the exam.
Exclusions
No proficiency examination is offered by the Department of Mathematics in a course which is cross-listed with and controlled by another department, e.g. Math 161, 257 or 463.
In addition, no proficiency examination is offered in the following math courses:
002, 012, 014, 016, 103, 117, 118, 119, 198, 199, 249, 290, 299, 347, 348, 370, 390, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 470, 471, 472, 476, 477, 478, 490, 496,
For any undergraduate-level math course not listed above, the Department of Mathematics does offer a proficiency examination.
Number of Attempts
For the following courses only, at most two attempts are permitted per student:
124, 125, 220, 225, 231, 234, 241
For all other courses, at most one attempt is permitted per student.