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Summary of Placement Guidelines

Standardized test scores give a preliminary placement, but they should not be viewed as definitive. They may be inflated by short-term gains due to test-prep or rendered obsolete by the passage of time for students with a gap of a year or more since their last math class. View this as a starting point in the placement process, not as the final word.

  • MAT100: For students whose highest SAT math score is below 670 or ACT math scores below 28.
  • MAT103: Math SAT 670 OR ACT math > 30 OR a score of 4 (or lower) on the AB exam
  • MAT104/175: score of 5 on the AB exam OR 4 on the BC exam OR 6 on the IB Math HL exam OR B on the British A levels
  • MAT201/202: score of 5 on the BC exam OR 7 on the IB Math HL exam OR A on the British A levels
  • MAT203/204: score of 5 on the BC exam AND SAT math 750 or higher, together with a strong interest in math and/or physics.
  • MAT215/214: Normally 5 on the BC exam and SAT 750 or higher together with a very strong interest in and aptitude for mathematics.  In rare cases, 5 on the AB exam and SAT math 750 or higher:  consult placement officer.
  • MAT216: For students with substantial prior experience with university-level proof based math courses together with a very strong interest in and aptitude for mathematics.

Contacts

Ana Menezes

Undergraduate Placement Officer
amenezes@math.princeton.edu

Keep in Mind

  • An AB exam score of 5 is comparable to a C in MAT103. 
  • A BC exam score of 5 is comparable to a C in MAT104. 
  • MAT104 is significantly harder than MAT103, and MAT201 is significantly harder than MAT104. 
  • It is easy to switch courses during drop/add. If undecided, start in the more ambitious course, and switch down if necessary.