Calculus Placement Test

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The problem seems to be that the students aren't qualified for Honors Analysis upon taking the placement. Thus, they can take 199 and regular Analysis or take Honors Calc (which they placed out of, officially) and hope to ace it to get into Honors Analysis the next year. The problem is not that Honors Analysis fills up. These students simply aren't ready for Honors Analysis but have placed out of Calculus.

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<p>Yes, but what was suggested earlier was that students could take 199 and then possibly stream into Honors Analysis if they did well in that course. I heard once that after taking 199, the placement test is a breeze. Also, isn't honors analysis just a much faster version of analysis? That's my general impression... didn't someone say that Honors Analysis covers what the entire 3-quarter Analysis course covers in a single quarter? That would hint at it...</p>

<p>Honors analysis is a three quarter sequence starting in the Autumn quarter, so even if you do well in the 199 course you will have to wait till the next Autumn quarter to start honors analysis.</p>

<p>Yes, that's why you make a 2nd honors analysis class starting in winter.</p>

<p>According to the pdf file mentioned above, the only difference between those placing into honors analyis and those testing out of honors calculus but not into honors analysis is the fact that those who test into honors analysis haven't had much experience with proofs.</p>

<p>You fix this problem by making 199 into a proof-writing class with some other content that may be needed for honors analysis, and then make another honors analysis section for winter. I don't see a problem with this logic.</p>

<p>Honors Analysis is exceedingly difficult. 199 was not designed as an Honors Analysis feeder course; it doesn't matter how well you do in it. The sequence of study is different, and the level of preparation is different. 199 is its own course with its own goals. The goal is not to ready students for Honors Analysis.</p>

<p>Second year students looking to get in to the class must have strong recommendation by their Honors Calculus professor and a high grade each quarter of the course in order to be considered for invitation to Honors Analysis. Students who do get in need to pledge to devote 30 hours/week outside of class time to math. Once you're in, if you work really hard, you'll probably end up with an OK final grade (midterm grades are sometimes in the single digits) that won't be lower than a C. From what I've heard, the professors tend to make sure you leave with an OK grade due to the difficulty of the course. I have a couple of first year friends in Honors Analysis.</p>

<p>EDIT: Anyway, I'm sure that placement will work out for all of you. The math department is really helpful with making sure students are challenged and in the right course for them.</p>

<p>if you take 199, you can't take honors analysis. There isn't enough demand or any real purpose to make a second section of honors analysis for the winter. believe me, you will survive if you dont take 207. If you're a math major you should take honors algebra anyway so you can still get your degree with honors.</p>

<p>Oh, I wasn't even thinking about the honors diploma. I just want to be challenged to the greatest extent, and it sounds that honors analysis is right for me. I'm also a bit worried because in the past, I haven't done very well in placement tests (and have had to consult counselors and professors to get me moved up into the appropriate class), but if it's as accurate as it sounds, I'm sure I'll be fine. Free response is always more accurate than multiple choice anyway.</p>

<p>The section that determines Honors Analysis (or any higher course) is the free response section. If you don't feel you've been placed correctly, you can always talk to someone about it.</p>

<p>How much time do we have for the exam? ...the placement exam</p>

<p>I don't remember. It's definitely enough. The problems get progressively more difficult, so few students successfully finish all of the problems.</p>

<p>Is the calculus placement exam only calculus? I know that there are problems involving delta-epsilon proofs and proofs involving supremums and infimums, as expected, but will things such as, say, Green's Theorem, De Moivre's Theorem, or anything from linear algebra or probability theory be on there? In other words, will everything on the test be Calc BC with more theory added to the concepts learned in that class? Are there pre-calc things on it as well?</p>

<p>(Thanks for all your responses. You've really been helpful.)</p>

<p>There's no probability or anything, I don't think. It includes pre-calc. I don't remember what it specifically covered. Don't worry about it, though. It's not bad.</p>

<p>I'm not too sure if this is correct - but I remember reading somewhere that there is not time limit on the exam; you just stop when the problems get too hard for you.</p>

<p>So if anyone can give me the easy answer because i'm too lazy to read everything:</p>

<p>I got a five last year in Calculus BC, and this year I did Discrete Mathematics for a semester at a local university. I like theory, and enjoy math, but I won't major in math and I don't want it to take up most of my energy.</p>

<p>...should it take 161? 153? 133? I do not know..</p>

<p>Also, after BC Calculus and an introduction to basic concepts to discrete math, should I do any extra studying over the summer to get into the 161 course?</p>

<p>thanks all</p>

<p>You don't need to worry about which course you should take. The placement will assign you into the appropriate class. You do not need to study for the placement test.</p>

<p>Back in the day my S had only Calc AB, took the placement test and was placed into the 130's sequence, which he completed through 133.</p>

<p>I suspect many of those so called unlucky 30, the ones that place out of calc but not into honors analysis, could care less. Ony machochists and math majors (is that an oxymoron? :-) ) want to take honors analysis any way (just kidding...)</p>

<p>In the case of one kid I know, she was glad to not have to worry about taking math. She could take more electives.</p>

<p>oh yeah is multivariable calculus tested?</p>

<p>Honors Analysis includes multivariable calculus (honors calculus does not), so I don't think so.</p>