Physics Placement Assessment
We recommend that you take a physics course as early as you can (and preferably freshman fall). The physics placement assessment is intended to help incoming students and new prospective physics students choose the best-suited for class.
Physics majors at Brandeis usually place into either the physics 11 or physics 15 sequence. Students from both tracks are adequately prepared for upper level courses, and go on to graduate school or other career opportunities.
Taking the Assessment
The questions are designed to assess your preparation in both physics and math. You do not need to study or prepare for this and no one but you will know your score.
When you take the placement assessment, attempt the problems without any reference materials whatsoever. You may use a calculator when needed. Do as many problems as you can in three hours; it is neither necessary nor expected to get them all right. The purpose is just to evaluate your preparation in order to best advise you about which class to take.
You can access the placement assessment here.
Your Placement: Scoring Your Assessment
Once you have completed the assessment, score your results by assigning 1 point for each part of each problem that you answer correctly. If you score,
- 10 or fewer points, we recommend taking the physics 11 sequence
- between 11 or 20 points, we recommend taking the physics 15 sequence
- 21 or more points, you may be prepared for physics 20
You can access the placement assessment solutions here.
If you wish to discuss your placement or how to get started in physics, please contact the Undergraduate Advising Head.