Math FAQ

Further Information about Math Placement Exams

About Mathematics Placement, in general:  Your Mathematics Placement recommendation is based on your AP Calculus Exam Score (if taken), your Mathematics Placement Exam Score, your high school course work, your Math SAT score, your self-assessment of your mathematics preparation, and your career interests. 

About the Placement Exams:  The Mathematics Placement Exams are collections of questions that have, in the past, correlated with success in various mathematics courses.  The Exams are not intended to measure the scope of your mathematical knowledge.  The sole intent of the Exams is to help us advise you as to which math courses you will find interesting and challenging, but not impossible, in the event that you decide to take a mathematics course at Hamilton. 

About the Mathematics Department's Advanced Placement Policy:  The Mathematics Department awards an Advanced Placement credit for first semester Calculus if a student takes Calculus II at Hamilton, without taking our Calculus I.  No grade is assigned for AP credit, but the credit counts as 1 unit towards Hamilton graduation and major requirements. 

The Mathematics Department does not award Advanced Placement credit on the basis of any single exam.  The AP Calculus Exam, for instance, is a good predictor of how a student will perform in a second level calculus or linear algebra course.  The AP Exam score is not infallible however, and credit will not be awarded solely on the basis of an AP score. 

Frequently Asked Questions

"What if I FAIL the placement exam?"
That's impossible. The only thing being assessed on these exams is your readiness for a particular level of mathematical study. If you choose to take a mathematics course then it is in your best interest, and in ours, to see that you take a course at an appropriate level.

"Should I STUDY for the exam?"
No. Study what? The Placement Exams are not intended to be an assessment of your mathematical knowledge. The exams are simply collections of questions that we have found to correlate with success in particular mathematics courses.

"I haven't taken math since my junior year and I've forgotten everything I knew. What should I do?"
Take the exam anyway, but then tell us about your background on the Mathematics Placement Questionnaire, and attach whatever additional information you would like. We will take that information into account when we give you our placement advice.

"What if I don't agree with the Math Department's placement?"
All our recommendation says is that, in the past, students with records similar to yours have generally had good success in the courses we recommend to you. We have no crystal ball that shows us your future, and we are committed to helping you have success in whatever course you choose. If you do disagree with our recommendation, please feel free to get in touch with us and we'll be happy to discuss why we placed you where we did. In the end the decision is yours. We only give advice.

"I KNOW I will NEVER take a math course at Hamilton, so why should I take a placement exam?"
We hope that part of your Hamilton experience will be to expand your academic horizons. Mathematics offers a range of courses for students with a variety of backgrounds. Don't close and lock doors until you know what's on the other side of them.

"I've read the whole thing and I still have questions. What should I do?"
Send an e-mail to math@hamilton.edu, or write us at The Department of Mathematics, Hamilton
College, 198 College Hill Road, Clinton, NY 13323, and we'll try to answer your questions.