Advanced Standing Examinations

Advanced Standing Examinations (ASEs) are one means through which registered MIT freshmen and transfer students can obtain credit for MIT subjects outside of the classroom itself. (Note: These are not the same as the Advanced Placement exams given by the Educational Testing Service. See the AP and International Examinations page for information on other ways to obtain MIT credit).

A passing grade on an MIT Advanced Standing Exam will grant placement into the next subject in a sequence; it may also give you credit toward your degree, depending on the department offering the exam.

These exams are quite rigorous, typically equivalent to the final exam for a subject. Usually students who pass these exams have had extensive exposure to the subject already in high school or through self-study.

Summer 2008 Advanced Standing Examinations will be offered during Orientation in the following subjects:

• Calculus: 18.01 (afternoon) and 18.02 (morning), Monday, August 25.
  
  
• Physics: 8.01 (morning), Monday, August 25.
  
  
• Physics: 8.02 (morning), Wednesday, August 27.
  
  
• Chemistry: 5.111, Tuesday, August 26, 9 AM-12 noon. Be sure to register for this exam by August 11.
  
  
• Biology: 7.012, Tuesday, September 2. Be sure to contact the Biology Education Office (bioadvance@mit.edu), by Wednesday, August 27 to register for the exam.
  
  

Important Scheduling Note: Please be aware that there is a conflict between the Monday Math Diagnostic and the Advanced Standing Exams for 18.02 and 8.01. Therefore, if you are planning to take either the 18.02 or 8.01 Advanced Standing Exam on Monday, August 25 at 9:00 AM, you must sit for the Math Diagnostic on Saturday, August 23.

Scores and Grading

Your scores on Advanced Standing Exams will be posted in your Online Freshman Advising Folder. Refer to the folder when registering with your advisor on Thursday, August 28 to see if you've passed the exams and are eligible to enroll in the next subject in a sequence.

If you pass an Advanced Standing Exam during Orientation, your permanent record will show a grade of P (for Pass) and you may not enroll in the corresponding subject for credit. If you fail the exam, nothing will appear on your record and you are encouraged to enroll in the corresponding subject. Advanced Standing Exams taken during Orientation or IAP will not count towards the freshman credit limit. Exams taken during the fall and spring final examination periods will count towards the freshman credit limit.

Other Advanced Standing Exams

Other Advanced Standing Examinations offered to entering students are in higher level Mathematics subjects, 18.03 and 18.06, for which written permission and homework are required. You must apply for permission to take the exam(s) and request the homework packet(s) by contacting Stephanie Gallarelli (nonna@math.mit.edu) by August 1.