Math Foundations Assessment and Advanced Placement Tests

Credit: Caltech Strategic Communications

Math Foundations Assessment

All incoming first-years are required to complete the Math section of the Foundations Assessment. This test assesses a student's mathematical background. The scores on this test are used to determine section assignment in Math 1a. Please refer to the incoming student To-Do List for more information about the Foundations Assessment deadlines. Math Foundations Assessment results determine your assignment into one of the following three groups:

Students who appear to have gaps in their background knowledge are placed into Math 1a Section 1. This section has a different instructor than the remaining Math 1a sections and meets 4 times per week. This course moves at a slower pace to ensure that students have a solid mathematical foundation on which to build upon. Enrollment in this section is non-negotiable and is determined solely by the scores on the Foundations Assessment. Students in Math 1a Section 1 will go on to enroll in any section of Math 1b in Winter term, while concurrently enrolling in Math 1d. Math 1d covers the material not covered in Math 1a Section 1 that was covered in the other Math 1a sections. This ensures that the students will be fully caught up with their peers in time for Math 1c, which they will enroll in with all other first-years. Enrollment in Math 1a Section 1 is not punitive. In fact, students enrolled in this section often go on to be more successful in Math 1b and 1c, when compared to their peers.
Students who do well on the Foundations Assessment, but who may have some areas in which to improve, will be enrolled in Math 1a as well as Math 8. Math 8 provides additional practice with problem solving in calculus and demonstrates the rigor at which we expect solutions to be constructed at Caltech. Students registered in Math 8 are required to attend the first week of class. After the first week, students may speak with the professor about a request to drop the course, if desired.
Students who do exceptionally well on the Foundations Assessment enroll in Math 1a. These students have the option of enrolling in Math 8, if they want to have additional practice.

If you have any questions, please contact the Deans Office.

Math Advanced Placement Exams

Placement out of Math 1a, 1b, 1c, 2 and 3 is only available by successfully completing the Advanced Placement exams in the summer before you begin your studies at Caltech. All exams are evaluated separately. Students seeking placement out of a specific course must take the Advanced Placement exam that corresponds to that course. For example, students seeking placement out of Ma 1b must successfully take the Ma 1b Advanced Placement exam. Successfully completing the Ma 1c Advanced Placement exam does not place students out of Ma 1a or Ma 1b. We do not accept grades in courses at other institutions. No additional opportunities to take these tests will be available. No student is required to complete any of these exams.

The Advanced Placement testing window opens Friday, June 27, 2025 at 12:00pm PDT, and closes on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 12:00pm PDT. This test will be available through Canvas and instructions for accessing the placement web page will be emailed. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].