In advanced standing: 2024 ASE results
The notoriously difficult chemistry Advanced Standing Exam pass rate climbed 7% from two years prior
Alex Tang–The Tech
Students took a total of 1,948 Advanced Standing Exams (ASEs) this summer and fall, with an overall pass rate of 67.14%. Online ASEs were administered from July 29 to August 8, while in-person exams happened on Registration Day, Sept. 3. Associate Dean and Director of the First Year Advising & Programming Office Elizabeth Young provided the data for The Tech.
184 students took the 5.111 (Principles of Chemical Science) ASE, of whom 39.1% passed. This year’s pass rate was quite an increase from 2022’s 32.1%. The Chemistry Department declined to provide information regarding the 5.12 (Organic Chemistry I) ASE results.
The 6.100A (Introduction to Computer Science Programming in Python) ASE, which was administered online, had the largest number of test takers (457) and one of the highest passing rates of 88%.
Following the 6.100A ASE for the highest number of test takers was the 7.01x (Introductory Biology) with a 64.06% pass rate and 18.02 (Multivariable Calculus) ASE with a 79.69%– both had 320 students.
For 18.01, 59 students who passed Part 1 were recommended for placement into 18.01A, while 24 students who passed both parts were placed into 18.02. A total of 107 students took the 18.01 ASE.
The physics department offered the Math Skills Assessment, an online test required for first-year students who do not have credit for 8.01 (Physics I) or 18.01 (Calculus). The purpose of the assessment is to recommend students which math or physics GIR to take. This year’s Math Skills Assessment had 729 first-year students take the assessment. 232 students took the optional 18.01A assessment and 171 took the optional 18.02 assessment.
Prior to 2023, the assessment was called the Math Diagnostic Assessment. According to Young, the purpose for changing the name from “Diagnostic” to “Skills” is to make it clear to students that the assessment was “just a snapshot of their current level and provide them with resources to practice areas that might need more practice.”
Select ASEs will be available during the final exam period, while the Independent Activities Period (IAP) ASEs will take place in late January or early Feb. Unlike the summer ASEs, these ASEs will be taken for a letter grade.