Mathematics Placement

Mathematics Placement Exams will be offered at the beginning of each semester. Students must take placement exams to move into a higher level of mathematics than what they are assigned. A student may attempt the same placement exam only twice, with at least three months between each attempt. NYU Shanghai offers three Mathematics placement examinations:

  • Place into Calculus (Offered at the beginning and middle of each semester)
  • Place out of Calculus (Offered at the beginning and middle of each semester)
  • Place into Honors Calculus and Honors Linear Algebra exam (Offered every late August)

 

Math Placement Exam (Before the Spring 2026 Registration):

Exam Sign-up Deadline: November 3, 2025

Sign up for the Math Placement Exam 

Place into Calculus and Linear Algebra exam/ Place out of Calculus exam (computer-based exam)

In-person (Computer-based exam):

EB121/EB123, Thursday, November 6, 5:10PM (Shanghai Time)

EB121/EB123, Friday, November 7, 12:30PM (Shanghai Time)

 

Math Placement Exam (Beginning of Spring 2026):

Exam Sign-up Deadline: January 15, 2026

Sign up for the Math Placement Exam (Sign up form is currenty closed, and will reopen on Nov 9)

Place into Calculus and Linear Algebra exam/ Place out of Calculus exam (computer-based exam)

In-person (Computer-based exam):

EB121/EB123, Monday, January 19, 5:00PM (Shanghai Time)

EB121/EB123, Tuesday, January 20, 12:30PM (Shanghai Time)

 

Math Placement Criteria

Students will be placed into a mathematics course based on their mathematics performance in high school, like the standardized exams, like A-level, SAT, IB, ect. Below are some resources that you might find helpful to identify your Math level:

You may also refer to the math placement criteria below.

Course-specific Math Placement Criteria

MATH-SHU 009 Precalculus and/or MATH-SHU 10 Quantitative Reasoning: Great Ideas in Math

Students who do not meet calculus placement criteria will be placed in MATH-SHU 009 Precalculus. Students who are placed into Precalculus and do not wish to continue onto Calculus can take MATH-SHU 10 Quantitative Reasoning: Great Ideas in Math (this course is only offered in the Spring).

* MATH-SHU 10 Quantitative Reasoning: Great Ideas in Math does not serve as a prerequisite for Calculus, and should only be selected if you are certain that you will not be pursuing a major that requires Calculus. Majors that require Calculus include Science majors, Business, Computer Science, Data Science, Economics, Mathematics, and Engineering. This course will only be offered in the spring. If you are certain that you want to take this course, you will enroll in two elective courses in the fall.

MATH-SHU 131 Calculus and/or MATH-SHU 140 Linear Algebra

 

Students must meet ONE of the following prerequisites:

  • SAT General Test Math score of at least 720
  • SAT Math Level I (after Mar/2016) Subject Test score of at least 720
  • SAT Math Level II (after Mar/2016) Subject Test score of at least 630
  • ACT/E Math score of 30 or higher
  • AP Calculus AB score of 4 or higher
  • AP Calculus BC score of 4 or higher
  • IB Mathematics SL score of 6 or higher
  • IB Mathematics HL score of 5 or higher
  • AS-level Mathematics grade of A or better
  • A-level Mathematics grade of B or better
  • Pass faculty review of students' Gaokao math scores
  • Grade of C or better in MATH-SHU 009 (Precalculus)
  • Pass the NYU Shanghai Placement into Calculus and Linear Algebra exam.

MATH-SHU 201 Honors Calculus and/or MATH-SHU 141 Honors Linear Algebra I

  • Pass faculty review of AP-BC, IB-HL, or Gaokao math scores
  • Pass the NYU Shanghai Placement into Honors Calculus and Honors Linear Algebra exam.

MATH-SHU 151 Multivariable Calculus

  • Pass faculty review of AP-BC, IB-HL, or Gaokao math scores
  • Grade of C or better in MATH-SHU 131 (Calculus)
  • Pass the NYU Shanghai Placement out of Calculus exam.
Mathematics Placement FAQs:
1. Can I take a lower level math course than the one I was placed into?

Though students are advised to enroll in a math course that reflects their placement level, students can also choose to take a math course that is lower than their assigned level. Students may choose to move to a lower level mathematics course before the add/drop deadline. For example, if you are placed into Honors Calculus, you can take Calculus in your first semester instead. Please be sure to discuss with your academic advisor about the implications of changing math level.

2. What is the core curriculum math requirement and how this requirement can be fulfilled?

Only the following four exams can be used to fulfill the core curriculum mathematics Requirement:

  • AP Calculus AB or BC: Score of 4 or higher
  • IB Mathematics: Score of 6 or higher
  • A Level Mathematics: Score of B or higher
  • NYU Shanghai Placement Into Calculus

If you are placed into calculus based on other exams (ACT, Gaokao, and etc), you would still need to successfully pass one (1) four-credit Math course or take and pass the NYU Shanghai Placement Into Calculus exam.

3. What are some courses in New York that students can take to fulfill the core curriculum math requirement?

The following New York Math course can be counted towards the core curriculum math requirement:

  • MATH-UA 9 Algebra and Calculus
  • CORE-UA 1XX Quantitative Reasoning

Please refer to the Global courses satisfying Shanghai degree requirements (New York Tab). You may filter the column E core and select mathematics.

4. What scores are required to pass the Math placement exams?

To place into Calculus, students must score at least 25 in total, with 15 out of 25 on one of the two parts of the exam.

To place out of Calculus, students must score 15 or more out of 20.

5. Can I use the calculator during the math placement exam?

No. Only scratch papers and the key terms provided by the proctors are allowed.