| Yes! You must take the screening test, and pass it, if you want to take Math 221. There are no exceptions. |
I've never heard of the Screening Test
before. Is it new?
Answer: No. Similar tests are used at many schools across the country.
The Binghamton Mathematics Department has been using this
Screening Test for several semesters. All that has changed is that we are
administering it by computer rather than on paper, and we are scheduling it
so that students who want to take Math 221 will have a chance to take
the Screening Test before the semester starts.
I haven't taken (or I failed) the Screening
Test. What will happen if I register online for Math 221?
Answer: The BUSI system
will accept your registration, since, for technical reasons, it cannot yet
enforce this prerequisite for Math 221. However,
you will be dropped from the class list
soon after you register.
I failed the Screening Test. Can I retake it?
Answer: If you took the Screening Test in the Spring semester (for continuing students)
or during one of the Summer orientations and did not pass then you may
retake it during one of the sessions at the end of the summer or during the
first week of class; see the schedule.
If you did not take the Screening Test in the Spring or during Summer orientation then you may take it at the end of the summer or during the first week of class.
I have a score of X on the AP Calculus YZ test. Do I need to take the
Screening Test?
Answer: All students who want to take Math 221 must take the Screening
Test.
If your AP score satisfies the University's requirements for Math 221 credit then you will be given credit for Math 221 and you may not take Math 221, so you do not need to take the Screening Test. The University policies for AP credit are different for the different schools of the University; here are some details for Harpur College, Watson School and School of Management.
If you do not yet know your AP score then you need to make a decision: Either take the Screening Test during Summer orientation or wait until the end of the Summer, and take the Screening Test only if your AP score does not meet the University's requirements for Math 221 credit. The advantage to taking the Screening Test during orientation os that you can register for Math 221 if you pass (it is easier to drop a course later than to add one) and you can retake the test at the end of the summer if you fail.
I took Calculus I at another school. Do I need to take the
Screening Test?
Answer: All students who want to take Math 221 must take the Screening
Test.
Of course, if you receive transfer credit from the University for Math 221 then you may not take Math 221, so you do not need to take the Screening Test. The Mathematics Department is not involved in the determination of transfer credit; such decisions are made by the advising offices in the different schools of the University. Look here for details.
If you do not yet know whether you will receive transfer credit for Math 221 then you need to make a decision: Either take the Screening Test during Summer orientation or wait until the end of the Summer, and take the Screening Test only if you do not receive transfer credit for Math 221. The advantage to taking the Screening Test during orientation os that you can register for Math 221 if you pass (it is easier to drop a course later than to add one) and you can retake the test at the end of the summer if you fail.
I passed Math 108, or I have transfer credit for Math 108 for a course that
I took at another school. Do I need to take the Screening Test?
Answer: All students who want to take Math 221 must take the Screening
Test.
I have transfer credit for Math 108 for a
course that I took in high school or at another school, but I failed
the Screening Test. What should I do?
Answer: There is wide variation in
precalculus courses at other schools, and many such courses are not adequate
preparation for our Calculus I course. The University cannot evaluate
whether such
courses are suitable as preparation for Calculus I,
and usually grants transfer credit for Math 108 based on very
general criteria. You should talk to your academic advisor and ask to have
the transfer credit for Math 108 converted to "general math" transfer
credit, so you can enroll in Math 108.
I passed Math 108 but I failed the Screening
Test. What should I do?
Answer: You can't take Math108 again for credit, so you
should make an appointment with the Coordinator for Calculus I to discuss
your options. The Coordinator will make the final decision about admitting
you to Math 221. To arrange an appointment send email to
calculus@math.binghamton.edu.
I failed the Screening Test. Will I be able to take
Math 221 in a later semester?
Answer: We will give the Screening Test before
each semester; you need to pass it before you can take Math 221.
The best way to improve your score on the
Screening Test is to take our Precalculus course, Math 108.
I passed the Screening Test but I will not take Math 221 in the Fall. Do I
have to take the Screening Test again if I want to take Math 221 in a later
semester?
Answer: Mathematical skills deteriorate rapidly with disuse.
Your screening test score will be accepted as prerequisite for Math 221 for
one year, but after that you must retake it.
Is the Screening Test a prerequisite for Math 220?
Answer: No.
Is the Screening Test a prerequisite for Math 221 in the Summer Session?
Answer: Not at this time.