FAQs about Math Placement
I took the AP Calculus or AP Precalculus exam but have not received my score. Should I take the MPE?
- Students should take the MPE if they think they might score a "1" or "2" or "3" on the AP Precalculus exam. See AP Credit for more information.
- Students should take the MPE if they think they might score a "1" or "2" on the AP AB Calculus exam. See AP Credit for more information.
- Students may take the MPE if needed after AP and IB results are released in July.
- AP Precalculus scores of a "4" or "5" and AP Calculus AB scores of a "2" (or AB-subscore scores of 2) are valid for 2 years when used for math placement.
I took AP Precalculus or AP Calculus in high school precalculus or calculus class but I did not take the AP exam and I did not receive college credit. Must I take the MPE?
High school credit for an AP Precalculus or AP Calculus course without earning a qualifying score on the AP Precalculus exam or Calculus AB or BC exam does not satisfy prerequisites for enrollment in UCSD math courses. Students must take the MPE if they do not meet other math Placement Criteria.
I took the AP Statistics exam. Do I need to take the MPE?
AP Statistics does not satisfy prerequisites for enrollment in UCSD math courses. Students must take the MPE if they do not meet other math Placement Criteria.
I took IB Math. What happens now?
Scores of 5-7 on the IB Higher Level (HL) Analysis and Approaches (AA) earn equivalent transfer credit for Math 20A and 10B. Students do not need the MPE in this case. IB HL 5 or higher do not expire for earning credit. See Equivalent Credit and Placement for AB, IB, and Advanced Level Exams.
Standard Level (SL) exams and the IB Higher Level Applications and Interpretations (AI) exam are not UC transferable and cannot be used as a prerequisite for UCSD Math course enrollment (see UCSD IB Chart 2023-24). Students must take the MPE if they do not meet other math Placement Criteria.
Do Placement Measures Expire?
- The Math Placement Exam (MPE) is valid for one year.
- AP Precalculus scores of (4, 5) are valid for two years.
- AP Calculus scores of 2 are valid for two years.
- AP Calculus scores of (3, 4, 5) and IB HL AA scores of (5, 6, 7) earn equivalent transfer credit and do not expire.
Courses Taken Outside of UCSD
I took precalculus at a community college. Am I exempt from taking the MPE?
Precalculus, college algebra, or statistics taken at another college or university do not satisfy prerequisites for enrollment in UCSD math courses. Student must take the MPE if they do not meet other math Placement Criteria.
I took calculus through a California community college while still in high school. Do I need to take the MPE?
Students who earn a passing grade for a calculus course that has been approved for transfer equivalency, will earn equivalent credit for that course at UC San Diego and may enroll directly into the next-level calculus course. In this case, students would not take the MPE.
For courses not approved for transfer equivalency, students might be able to petition the Math Department for credit. Students should send all official transcripts to UCSD as soon as the qualified course is completed.
Math Placement Exam (MPE)
I plan to take a math course at UCSD. Do I need to take the MPE?
See Placement Criteria.
How do I register to take the MPE?
See current Test Dates and sessions for the MPE.
I took a math placement test at a different university campus, can I use my result to enroll in a math class at UCSD?
The UCSD math department does not accept math placement exam results from other colleges and univerisities. Students who do not meet math Placement Criteria will need to take the MPE before they are able to enroll in math at UCSD.
Met a Prerequisite but Unable to Enroll
I qualified for a math course but the registration system says I do not have the prerequisite and will not allow me to register for any section. What should I do?
If equivalent credit or official test results have not posted to students' academic records, then they will need to submit a request for a preauthorization using the Enrollment Authorization System (EASy). Students need to upload a screen capture of their results as evidence.
