<p>"Please also note that some classes like 18.03 Differential Equations requires that you do HOMEWORK also. You must complete the homework assignments in addition to taking the placement test. Make sure you find out the details of what you're trying to place out of." (from Kevin's blog)</p>
<p>Where can you find out these details of placement exams? Also, how would I take an Advanced Standing exam in something like, say, Philosophy (or anything that probably not that many people try to place out of)? Do they give placement exams for every single course?</p>
<p>"Summer 2005 Advanced Standing Examinations will be offered in the following subjects:</p>
<pre><code>* Physics- 8.01 and 8.02
* Calculus- 18.01 and 18.02
* Biology- 7.01
* Chemistry- 5.111"
</code></pre>
<p>It doesn't mention 18.03, so I'm not sure whether it's allowed this year. You can always place out of 18.03 at the end of IAP. I'm not sure of the entire list of classes you can place out of, but I'll try to find out.</p>
<p>If those are the only advanced standing examinations offered at that time...then how would you enter something into like Analysis I first term (which has 18.03 as a prerequisite)? Is it just not allowed then?</p>
<p>And there's absolutely no placing out of humanities classes? I'm not really talking about getting HASS credit, I just mean placing out of required classes for a major. For example, the philosophy/linguistics major requires "24.251 Introduction to Philosophy of Language" and
"24.900 Introduction to Linguistics". What if I already know this introductory stuff?</p>
<p>Perhaps they didn't mention 18.03. I would actually call someone at MIT or the math department to ask about 18.03 placement. My impression is that many kids get transfer credit for differential equations, which is why they can take 18.100 first semester.</p>
<p>formal placement exams are for classes that lots of people want to place out of; humanities classes tend to be arranged more on a case-by-case basis, usually for people with language experience who want to take higher level classes. sometimes it's as easy as emailing the professor and convincing them that you're competent, tho for a linguistics class i'd wager they'd give you an exam, perhaps a previous year's final, or something they'd written up specially. the way to go is to email the professor or the dept secretary might know who best to approach, or talk to your advisor.</p>
<p>also, note, there's a difference between "knowing the material covered by a pre-req" and "getting credit for a class". pre-reqs are taken with a grain of salt around here, and you usually only need to sweet-talk either the professor or your advisor to get around that, since sometimes the pre-req isn't really all that related, anyway. but if you want credit, you'll probably have to take an exam or something formal.</p>