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Placement Examinations and Testing

This page gives an overview of upcoming MIT-administered exams that are used for placement purposes and to award credit. These will be given over the summer and during Orientation in September. To prepare yourself for what to expect over the summer and when you arrive at MIT, please review this material carefully.

First Year Essay Evaluation (FEE)

The FEE is MIT’s writing placement test and is your first step toward completing the first-year component of the Communication Requirement. All incoming students must take the FEE unless they have already scored a 5 on either the AP Language and Composition test or Literature and Composition test, or a 7 on either the English A or B Higher Level International Baccalaureate (IB) exam. If you have sent one of these scores to MIT, you are exempt from the FEE and do not need to take further action.

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NOTE: There will be no make-up examination offered in Orientation, so students who are not exempt from the FEE due to AP or IB credit, should register for one of the two online offerings. If you do not take the FEE and have not submitted an AP or IB score exempting yourself from the test (see exemptions above), you will automatically be placed into “CI‑HW (Writing Subject) Required.

Read more on the Communication Requirement page

Math Skills Assessment

The Math Skills Assessment is a test for incoming first-year students that helps you and your advisor make an informed choice about which version of Physics I (8.01) and Calculus (18.01) you should take in your first semester. The Math Skills Assessment will test a variety of math skills, including basic algebra, geometry, trigonometry, word problems, coordinate systems including polar, basic functions such as natural log, and some basic calculus like taking derivatives and integration. Accuracy and fluency in these areas are key to doing well in MIT’s physics and calculus subjects. You do not “pass” or “fail” the Skills Assessment. Based on your scores, you will receive a recommendation for physics and calculus placement.

Those with scores of 5 on AP both Physics C exams—Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism – will be granted 8.01 credit. Those with a score of 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam will be granted 18.01 credit. If you have a 5 for all of these exams, you do not need to take the exam.

The Math Skills Assessment will be held virtually online between August 14 and 16. More information will be sent throughout the summer. Please plan accordingly.

Advanced Standing Exams

MIT’s Advanced Standing Examinations are one means through which registered freshmen and transfer students can obtain credit for MIT subjects outside of the classroom itself. Note: ASEs are not the same as the Advanced Placement exams given by the Educational Testing Service. See AP & Transfer Credit 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.

Dates for Summer 2023 Advanced Standing Examinations

(Please note: ASEs will be held remotely through August 10. Exams on September 5 will be in person)

These are the only dates that these exams will be held. Reminder: Registration for the Advanced Standing Exams is from July 1 – July 14.

These are the only dates that these exams will be held.

  • July 31:  6.100A Advanced Standing Exam
  • August 1, 1pm – 4pm:  Biology Advanced Standing Exam
  • August 2: 5.111 Chemistry Advanced Standing Exam
  • August 7: 8.01 Advanced Standing Exam
  • August 8: 18.01 Advanced Standing Exam
  • August 9: 8.02 Advanced Standing Exam
  • August 10: 18.02 Advanced Standing Exam
  • September 5, 9am-12pm EDT: 8.03 Advanced Standing Exam
  • September 5, 2-5pm EDT: 8.04 Advanced Standing Exam 
  • September 5, 9am-12pm EDT: 18.03 Advanced Standing Exam
  • September 5, 9am-12pm EDT: 18.06 Advanced Standing Exam
  • September 5, 9am-12pm EDT: 5:12 Chemistry Advanced Standing Exam

Scores and Grading

Advanced Standing Exam scores will be posted in your Online Advising Folder. Refer to the folder when registering with your advisor 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 this summer, 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 credit limit. Exams taken during the fall and spring final examination periods will count towards the credit limit.