[edit] About Placement

Almost all St. Olaf students take at least one course in mathematics, statistics, or computer science; many take several courses. All students are required to satisfy the Mathematical Reasoning requirement. In addition, many majors require courses in mathematics or statistics. We encourage and welcome all students to continue their study of the mathematical sciences at St. Olaf.

The mathematics placement process helps you and your faculty adviser decide which St. Olaf course is the best starting point for you. Even if you do not anticipate taking mathematics, statistics, or computer science during your first year, you must complete the process so that you know what courses you are prepared to take.

[edit] What does the placement process involve?

For almost all students, the first step in the placement process is to take the placement test. (There are limited exceptions for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and college courses; see below.) The placement test consists of a 15-question background survey and a 10-question multiple choice mathematics test. If you have not taken calculus, the mathematics questions will be on algebra and functions. If you have taken calculus, the mathematics questions will be on calculus. We use both the results of the test and your admissions data (SAT or ACT scores, class rank, etc.) to determine your placement recommendation. Immediately after finishing the test, you will be given a list of mathematics, statistics, and computer science courses that you are prepared to take. You may review your recommendation at any time by clicking on the Review My Recommendation box below. For more details on possible courses, see the Course guide

[edit] Do I have to follow the placement recommendation?

Our long experience with placement gives us confidence that the courses we recommend are the best match for your interests and background. However, our recommendation is advisory, and you will want to discuss it with your academic advisor or a mathematics, statistics, or computer science faculty member after you arrive on campus. In the meantime, if you have any questions about your placement recommendation or what course is best for you, please contact math-placement@stolaf.edu (include your name and St. Olaf student ID number in your e-mail) or call Kay Smith at 507-646-3784 (leave a voice-mail message and contact number).

[edit] How do I complete the placement test?

A link to the survey and mathematics test appears at the bottom of this page. Together they take up to one hour to complete. Once you submit your answers to the survey, you will not be able to change your answers, and you must immediately take the mathematics test. Please answer the test questions on your own without assistance from other people and without using references such as texts. You may use a graphing calculator. (Calculators with symbolic capabilities, such as a TI-89, are permitted but not necessary.) You should work out each problem on paper, so you will need a pencil and paper. Once you submit your answers to the test, you will not be able to change them. When you are ready to begin, click on Continue in the box below.

[edit] Can I receive credit for AP calculus, AP statistics, or IB mathematics?

You will receive one course credit (and also satisfy the Mathematical Reasoning requirement) if any of the following applies: (i) you scored 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB, the AP Calculus BC, or AP Statistics exam; (ii) you received an AB subscore of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam; (iii) you scored 5 or above on the IB Mathematics HL exam. To receive credit you must report your score to the Registrar at St. Olaf, either by requesting AP Services to send your score (you may have done so when you took the exam) or by sending a copy of the score report form yourself. For more details on St. Olaf’s AP and IB policy see http://www.stolaf.edu/offices/registrar/apexam.htm.

No matter what score you received on the AP Calculus AB, the AP Statistics, or the IB Mathematics HL exam, you should take the placement test. You should also take the placement test if you scored below 4 on the AP Calculus BC exam. We need information from the placement test to determine which calculus course is most appropriate for you. If you took an AP Calculus exam in May 2006, please wait until you receive your AP scores (usually in mid-July) to take the placement test.

If you received a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam, you do not need to take the placement test. You may take Linear Algebra (Math 220), Multivariable Calculus (Math 226), Discrete Mathematics (Math 232), Principles of Computer Science (CS 121), or Statistics for Science (Stats 212). For more information on these courses, see the College Catalog.

[edit] Can I get credit for work done at a college or university?

If you have completed a statistics, calculus, or more advanced mathematics course at a college or university, you may not need to take the placement exam. You should have a transcript sent from the college or university to the Registrar at St. Olaf. Please also e-mail math-placement@stolaf.edu; include your name, your St. Olaf student number, and, for each course taken, the name of the course, the grade received, and the college or university where you took it. We will send you information on the courses for which you are prepared, or recommend that you take the placement test. For more information on St. Olaf’s policy regarding credit for college work see http://www.stolaf.edu/offices/registrar/apexam.htm.