Left arrow Barnard.edu
Left arrow Barnard.edu
Search All of Barnard.edu

Placement in Calculus Classes

  • For placement purposes, the Mathematics Department considers the following equivalent to Calculus 1 and 2 at Columbia:
    • A score of 5 on the Calculus BC Advanced Placement.
    • A score of 7 on the IB Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL exam (2021 or later) or a score of 7 on the IB HL Mathematics or Further Mathematics exams (2020 or earlier).
    • An A on the A-Level Further Mathematics exam in the U.K.

    Students with any of these scores should begin with Calculus 3, Accelerated Multivariable Calculus, or Honors Math A. They do not need to take Calculus 1 or 2.

  • For placement purposes, the Mathematics Department considers the following equivalent to Calculus 1 at Columbia:
    • A score of 4 on the Calculus BC Advanced Placement exam.
    • A score of 4 or 5 on the Calculus AB Advanced Placement exam.
    • A score of 6 on the IB Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL exam (2021 or later) or a score of 6 on the IB HL Mathematics or Further Mathematics exams (2020 or earlier).
    • A score of 6 or 7 on the IB Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL exam (2021 or later) or a score of 6 or 7 on the IB SL Mathematics exam (2020 or earlier). This does not include the IB “Mathematical Studies SL” exam.
    • An A on the A-Level Mathematics exam or a B in A-Level Further Mathematics exam in the U.K.
    • A grade of A in a full year of high school calculus.

    Students with any of these scores may begin with either Calculus 2 or Calculus 3. Note that such students who decide to start with Calculus 3 may still need to take Calculus 2 since it is a requirement or prerequisite for other courses. In particular, they MUST take Calculus 2 before going on to Calculus 4.