Enrolling in advanced courses is an opportunity to optimize your academic and intellectual development at West Point. You will be exposed to topics not covered in the core math program that will enrich your academic experience and give you a stronger foundation for further study as a math, science, or engineering major. 

Additionally, placing into a higher level of calculus enables you to take one less required course if you decide to become a math, science, engineering, or economics major. You can begin taking courses in your major a semester early or possibly take an additional elective of interest to you.

Placement is based on SAT/ACT math scores, Advanced Placement (AP) calculus and statistics scores (if applicable), Summer Calculus Placement Exam scores, and any college-level calculus or statistics grades.

The two-hour Summer Calculus Placement Exam tests your comprehension of single-variable calculus concepts (typically topics covered in Calculus I and Calculus II courses) without the use of technology (i.e., graphing calculator). This voluntary exam is part of new cadet testing administered remotely from mid-May to mid-June before the start of Cadet Basic Training (CBT). 

Review material from your previous calculus course, but note that we make placement decisions based on your knowledge of AP Calculus AB. There is a plethora of resources at APCentral/AP Calculus AB. Khan Academy also has some great free resources.   

Taking the Calculus BC exam would give you a definite advantage in your calculus progression at the Academy. The exam covers several topics not tested in the Calculus AB exam. These topics include integrals in polar coordinates, sequences and series, as well as some additional integration techniques (such as integration by parts and integration by partial fractions). 

Those who score a 3 on the BC exam or a 4 on the AB exam would be a good candidate for advanced core calculus coursework. 

Yes. Although we strongly encourage our students to take an AP Calculus exam, we understand that this is not always possible. Students with no AP exam scores will still be considered for advanced calculus placement based on their Summer Calculus Placement Exam score, SAT/ACT math scores, and any college-level calculus grades.