Skip to Content

Placement Examinations and Testing

This page gives an overview of upcoming MIT-administered exams that are used for placement purposes and to award credit. These will be given over the summer and during Orientation in September. To prepare yourself for what to expect over the summer and when you arrive at MIT, please review this material carefully.

First Year Essay Evaluation (FEE)

The FEE is MIT’s writing placement test and is your first step toward completing the first-year component of the Communication Requirement. All incoming students must take the FEE unless they have already scored a 5 on either the AP Language and Composition test or Literature and Composition test, or a 7 on either the English A or B Higher Level International Baccalaureate (IB) exam. If you have sent one of these scores to MIT, you are exempt from the FEE and do not need to take further action.

See the

NOTE: There will be no make-up examination offered in Orientation, so students who are not exempt from the FEE due to AP or IB credit, should register for one of the two online offerings. If you do not take the FEE and have not submitted an AP or IB score exempting yourself from the test (see exemptions above), you will automatically be placed into “CI‑HW (Writing Subject) Required.

Read more on the Communication Requirement page

Math Self Assessment

The Math Self Assessment is required for incoming MIT students planning to take most of the physics and/or math GIRs (8.01, 8.01L, 8.012, 18.01, 18.01A, or 18.02). This assessment will give you a sense of the background material and skills assumed in each of these courses, help you make an informed decision about which calculus or mechanics class to take, and identify areas you may want to review. 

This assessment is not a measure of your math ability, because math ability, like any ability, grows with time and dedicated practice (of which you will be getting plenty!). The goal of this assessment is to give you the best snapshot of your current skills so that you can start your journey at MIT by taking the math and physics classes that best fits your current skill set. While at MIT, your problem solving skills will be challenged. In fact, that is the goal! Only through stretching your problem solving skills will your abilities be able to grow to their fullest potential. Our goal is to make sure that your math classes have prepared you for these challenges.

Those with scores of 5 on AP both Physics C exams—Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism – will be granted 8.01 credit. Those with a score of 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam will be granted 18.01 credit. If you have a 5 for all of these exams, you do not need to take the exam.

The Math Self Assessment will be held virtually online between August 8 and 16. More information will be sent throughout the summer. Please plan accordingly.

Advanced Standing Exams

MIT’s Advanced Standing Examinations are one means through which registered first year and transfer students can obtain credit for MIT subjects outside of the classroom itself. Note: ASEs are not the same as the Advanced Placement exams given by the Educational Testing Service. See AP & Transfer Credit for information on other ways to obtain MIT credit.

A passing grade on an MIT Advanced Standing Exam will grant placement into the next subject in a sequence; it may also give you credit toward your degree, depending on the department offering the exam.

These exams are quite rigorous, typically equivalent to the final exam for a subject. Usually students who pass these exams have had extensive exposure to the subject already in high school or through self-study.

Dates for Summer 2024 Advanced Standing Examinations

(Please note: ASEs will be held remotely through August 8. Exams on September 3 will be in person)

These are the only dates that these exams will be held.

Reminder: Registration for the Advanced Standing Exams is from July 1 – July 12.

  • July 29:  6.100A Advanced Standing Exam
  • July 30:  Biology Advanced Standing Exam
  • July 31: 5.111 Chemistry Advanced Standing Exam
  • August 5: 8.01 Advanced Standing Exam
  • August 6: 18.01 Advanced Standing Exam
  • August 7: 8.02 Advanced Standing Exam
  • August 8: 18.02 Advanced Standing Exam
  • September 3, 9am-12pm EDT: 8.03 Advanced Standing Exam
  • September 3, 2-5pm EDT: 8.04 Advanced Standing Exam 
  • September 3, 9am-12pm EDT: 18.03 Advanced Standing Exam
  • September 3, 9am-12pm EDT: 18.06 Advanced Standing Exam
  • TBD September 3, 1pm EDT: 5.12 Chemistry Advanced Standing Exam (Must have transfer credit for 5.111 or pass the 5.111 ASE on July 31)

Scores and Grading

Advanced Standing Exam scores will be posted in your Online Advising Folder. Refer to the folder when registering with your advisor to see if you’ve passed the exams and are eligible to enroll in the next subject in a sequence.

If you pass an Advanced Standing Exam this summer, your permanent record will show a grade of P (for Pass) and you may not enroll in the corresponding subject for credit. If you fail the exam, nothing will appear on your record and you are encouraged to enroll in the corresponding subject. Advanced Standing Exams taken during Orientation or IAP will not count towards the credit limit. Exams taken during the fall and spring final examination periods will count towards the credit limit.