Hi! So I just got admitted to FYE at Purdue, and I’m currently taking a calc 3 level math class at my high school. I’m not sure how does the placement test works. I tried to look it up on the Purdue website: http://www.math.purdue.edu/academic/undergrad/credit/
But it seems like that it’s only offered in January? So I just wait a full semester before I try to place myself out of a class? So confused. Can anyone tell me how does the process go?
And also, someone told me that I shouldn’t place out of the math class, because I already knew the material, I should take it to bump up my gpa. But I’m kind of into Math though, I’ll be really happy if I can learn new math equation every day (nerdy, I know). Is math class at Purdue that hard?
If your SAT or ACT math component is high enough, you don’t need to take the placement test. I would expect that since you’re taking calc III, you are probably OK. http://www.math.purdue.edu/academic/undergrad/placement.php. Those that did need to take it did it over the summer.
In terms of placing out of classes, that’s up to you. Purdue has all their Calc I - III mid terms and finals archived on line: https://www.math.purdue.edu/academic/courses/oldexams.php. Go through the tests and see how comfortable you are with the material. I haven’t heard of many students opting to place out of Calc III though and it’s probably a conversation to have with your faculty advisor during STAR.
I know people who placed out of Calc 3. However, they took it at a local college not their high school and were given transfer credit. Here is the Purdue Transfer Credit Course Equivalency Guide: https://selfservice.mypurdue.purdue.edu/prod/bzwtxcrd.p_select_info. It shows how credits can transfer from other schools. I’m not sure how it’d work if your high school offered Calc 3 though.
The ALEC exam is what I think you are talking about. It is designed to tell you what level you can start at. If you you have AP credit for Calc B/C (I believe you have to score a 5 on the exam for credit in both Calc 1 and 2) then you will be able to start with Multi variable Calc. They won’t accept your HS course as replacement for Calc 3. I would confirm what I’ve just said with the university.
Most kids tend to retake their highest level learned in school. So starting with Calc 3 might be your best bet since you won’t get credit for it anyway.
ALEKS is what many Purdue students take to figure out where they start, but almost all Engineering students have done well enough on SAT Math to not need to take ALEKS.
I’m thinking you’re referring to the actual course-specific Credit Exams for Multivariate, Linear, etc., in your link. The January dates are for this semester, so I strongly suspect they will also be given the first weekend/days of classes in August. I’d suggest reaching out to the Admissions Office contact to understand how this exam applies to new students.
My recommendation would actually be to place out of Calc 1&2 via AP, then take multivariate again at Purdue (assuming your Calc 3 is multivariate, as typically named). Retaking your final HS course is typically a good path to take.