<p>I will be attending Amherst in the fall and was wondering what placement in math is like. I received a 5 on the BC exam and according to the website it says that I should take Math 13. If I wanted to take Math 11 or Math 12 would that be feasible? Which math do most incoming freshmen take and do advisors or faculty ever force you to take a harder class (in this instance force me to take Math 13 because of my 5 on the BC exam)?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>If you want to take Math 11/12, you can. If you want to take Math 13, you can.</p>
<p>Thanks KWU. So just to clarify you’re saying that they cannot force you out of a lower level class because they think you’re overqualified? And jw, are you a current student at Amherst?</p>
<p>Yes to both.</p>
<p>You don’t have to place out but most people say math 12 is harder than 13 cause although the concepts are easier, the professors pick really tough questions for homework and exams. I went straight to math 13 freshman year and I thought it was fine. Plus the other kids in the class will always help you out/ you help them out. Also, professors are GREAT 1 on 1 during office hours. Good luck net year!</p>
<p>^ Well, with regards to the difficulty of homework and exams, and the rigor of grading, all that depends on the individual professor.</p>
<p>As to whether Math 12 or 13 is more difficult–again, that depends on who’s taking the course and who’s teaching it, in addition to the fact that the two Maths test different material and different skills.</p>
<p>My advice is to not worry about advisors pressuring you into taking or not taking certain courses but rather to be wary of you pressuring yourself into taking certain courses that you might not want to take at all.</p>
<p>Which math class do the majority of freshmen take? 11, 12, or 13?</p>
<p>Class of 2013, Math Placement</p>
<p>Math 11: 187
Math 11i (“intensive,” i.e., remedial): 37</p>
<p>Math 12: 94</p>
<p>Math 13: 81</p>
<p>Math 5: 75</p>
<p>I strongly recommend against wasting even a single course, but it’s your choice.</p>
<p>D2 placed into Math 12. She attended the first week and decided she was not prepared enough for it. She took Math 11 instead. It was easy for her but she was glad to 1- have a easy class first semester, freshman year and 2- be better prepared for Math 12 in the Spring.</p>