Placement in a calculus course is based on either an Achievement, transfer credit such as first forward, or AP exam score. All other courses use the higher of an Achievement Test score (Level II or I) or the online skills test. The online skills test is to be use only when the other information is not available. Remember, no student may take calculus without an appropriate Achievement or AP exam score. No other placement test is used.

Never change to a course with a higher placement than your scores qualify you. You will be dis-enrolled (dropped from the class). Remember that taking PreCalculus or Calculus in High School does not mean that you have mastered these courses. Your placement scores are the best indication of your level of mastery and potential for success in NCSU mathematics courses.

If you barely place into a course, we strongly encourage you to seriously question your preparation and to consider taking the prerequisite course first. The success rates of students who barely place into a math course are not nearly as good as most students. For example, the average Achievement Level II score in MA 141 was 610. Only 11% of students above this score made a D or an F, but 27% of the students below this score made a D or F. Students with minimal scores below 570 had 36% D's and F's. It is better to take the time to prepare well.

2. Does your major require a calculus and if so which one?

There are 3 calculus choices. Some majors require MA 121 which is a one semester calculus. 95% of last Fall's entering freshmen passed MA 121. Its prerequisite is MA 107. 89% of last Fall's freshmen passed MA 107 and were eligible to take MA 121 in the spring. Always proceed immediately from the prerequisite to the next course. Waiting undoes the benefits of the prerequisite.

Some majors require MA 131 which is the first course of a two semester calculus sequence. It is followed by MA 231. 90% of entering freshmen last Fall passed MA 131. Its prerequisite is also MA 107. Always proceed immediately from the prerequisite to the next course. Waiting undoes the benefits of the prerequisite.

*NOTE* MA 107 is the appropriate prerequisite for MA 121 and MA 131.

MA 121 or MA 131 are also good choices for students who are in majors that do not require calculus but have an interest in studying calculus as one of their general education requirements.

Engineering and other math-related majors require MA 141. It is the first course of a three semester calculus sequence. It should only be taken by students whose majors require all three courses. Last Fall, 975 entering freshmen (28% of last Fall's freshmen class) took MA 141. 80% of these students received a C or better. Remember, you cannot advance in this sequence to MA 241 and MA 242 without a C at each level. Students who do so are disenrolled.

Students who do not qualify for MA 141 have the opportunity to prepare for it by taking MA 111 or the sequence MA 107 - MA 108. It is difficult to start at the pre-calculus level and successfully complete the entire MA 141 through MA 242 sequence. In the past only 3 to 4 students in 10 have done so without repeating some of the courses. Your grade in MA 111 should indicate your chances of success in MA 141. Remember, you must have a C in MA 111 to enroll in MA 141. The typical results of past years are shown in the table below:

A in MA 111 and > C in MA 141	B in MA 111 and> C in MA 141	C in MA 111 and > C in MA 141
45 out of 47 (96%)	69 out of 83 (83%)	23 out of 45 (51%)

In fact only 2 out of 10 students with a C in MA 111 progress through MA 241 successfully. If you do not receive a high B or better in MA 111, you need an alternate plan of study in mind -- a plan that does not include the rigor of the MA 141 sequence. Be prepared to consider other majors.

Students who start in MA 101 and want to prepare for MA 141 need to take the MA 107 - MA 108 sequence. Only if you are receiving A's at each level should you attempt to continue in this sequence. Once you leave pre-calculus and enter calculus you will be studying with students who entered with calculus placements.

Students making a D or better in MA 111 may take MA 121 or MA 131.

One pre-calculus course either MA 107 or MA 111 may be used as a general education requirement. Never both and never MA 108.

3. If your major does not require calculus, consider our other courses:

MA 103 -- Contemporary Topics in Mathematics

This is a math appreciation course designed for liberal arts students (many of these students say they hate math). Current and historical topics will be studied such as voting theories, apportionment, fair division, routing problems (the Traveling Salesman Problem), and scheduling problems. Students are very successful and many say they liked math for the first time. 96% of last Fall's entering Freshmen passed.

MA 105 -- Math of Finance

This is a math course applicable to every student's financial well-being. The course concentrates on realistic and personal applications. You will learn to use a business calculator and spreadsheets to investigate financial problems that consumers face.

4. Final Suggestions - Take an appropriate math course in the Fall.

Plan to study regularly (an average of two hours outside of class for each hour in class). College requires much more independence of study than high school does.

Plan to attend class every day. Attendance versus success in Fall 1994 MA 111 is in the table below:

less than 6 absences	between 5 and 11 absences	more than 10 absences
76% > D	43% > D	10% > D

Have an alternate plan available If your first plan does not prove successful.