Williams College Class of 2028
Make sure to reference individual department notes cited below the table.
| Test | Score | Major Course Credit | Eligible to Enroll |
| Art History | All | No advanced placement | |
| Art Studio | All | No advanced placement | |
| Biology | 4, 5 | Department assigns* | |
| Chemistry | All | Department assigns* | Department assigns* |
| Chinese | All | Department assigns* | |
| Classics Latin | 5 | CLLA 201 or 302 | |
| Computer Science – A | 4, 5 | CSCI 136 | |
| Computer Science – Principles | All | Department assigns* | |
| Economics – Microeconomics | All | Department assigns* | |
| Economics – Macroeconomics | All | Department assigns* | |
| English Lit | 5 | ENGL 200- or 300-level | |
| English Lang | All | No advanced placement | |
| French Lit | 4, 5 | Department assigns* | |
| French Lang | 3, 4, 5 | Department assigns* | |
| German – either | 3, 4, 5 | Department assigns* | Department assigns* |
| History | All | No advanced placement | |
| Japanese | All | Department assigns* | |
| Math – Calculus AB | 4, 5 | MATH 150, 200 | |
| 2, 3 | MATH 140 | ||
| Math – Calculus BC | 3, 4, 5 | MATH 151, 200 | |
| 1, 2 | MATH 140 | ||
| Music | 4, 5 | MUS 103* | |
| Physics 1 | 4, 5 | Department assigns* | Department assigns* |
| Physics 2 | 4, 5 | Department assigns* | Department assigns* |
| Physics C:Mech – PHM | 4, 5 | Department assigns* | Department assigns* |
| Physics C:E&M – PHE | 4, 5 | Department assigns* | Department assigns* |
| Political Science – US | All | No advanced placement | |
| Political Science – Comparative | All | No advanced placement | |
| Psychology | 5 | PSYC 200-level | |
| Spanish – either | 3, 4, 5 | Department assigns* | |
| Statistics | 4, 5 | Department assigns* |
Major Course Credit
This means credit for a specific course in a major is awarded. If major course credit is blank, there is no reduction in the number of courses required for that major.
Department Assigns
Those departments that assign placement do so on the basis of department placement exams, or consultation with the student.
Biology
Placement depends on department exam results. While a placement exam is not necessary to enroll in BIOL 101 or BIOL 102, it is required to place out of BIOL 101 or 102. To be eligible to take the placement exam, students need an AP exam score of 4 or 5 or permission from the chair of the department.
Chemistry
Students are required to take the on-line chemistry placement survey on Glow by July 14th. Students are encouraged to contact one of the CHEM 100 or CHEM 101 instructors with questions.
Chinese
Placement depends on department evaluation.
Computer Science
Students should consult with the department to confirm appropriate placement.
Economics
Placement depends on AP scores and department placement exam results. If you have taken an introductory econ course before, we require that you take the department’s placement exam, irrespective of any standardized test scores. See department web page for details.
French
Placement depends on department exam results.
German
Placement and major course credit depend on department exam results. Students with scores of 5 may be eligible to enroll in GERM 202 or higher. Students with a score of 4 may be eligible to enroll in GERM 104 or 201. Students with a score of 3 may be eligible to enroll in GERM 103.
History
All first-year students are welcome to take any of the first-year seminars or tutorials (100-level courses) or any of the broad surveys (200-level courses), and can also take advanced electives (300-level courses) with the instructor’s permission. First-year students who are considering a major in History are especially encouraged to take a first-year seminar or tutorial.
Japanese
Placement depends on department evaluation.
Mathematics
Calculus placement depends on a department questionnaire and AP test results. Students can also see department for additional advising, especially in cases of eligibility for courses beyond calculus. A student who receives a 3, 4, or 5 on the BC examination is ordinarily placed in MATH 151. A student who receives a 4 or 5 on the AB examination is ordinarily placed in Math 150. A student who receives a 1 or 2 on the BC examination or a 2 or 3 on the AB examination is ordinarily placed in Math 140. Students who have had calculus in high school, whether or not they took the Advanced Placement Examination, are barred from Math 130 unless they obtain permission of department. A student who receives a 1 on the AB examination should consult the department.
Music
Students can place into MUS 103 either by receiving a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Music Theory Exam, or by taking the Music Department’s online placement exam. Students uncertain about whether placement into MUS 102 or MUS 103 is more appropriate should plan to take the placement exam, or send an e-mail to the instructor of either course. Students who enter Williams with an extensive background or advanced private study in theory should contact the instructor of MUS 103 to see if placement into MUS 104 is appropriate. An exam to place into MUS 104 can be arranged on an individual basis.
Physics
Placement in major track courses depends on Math and Physics AP scores, department placement exam results, and individual conferences. Students may be eligible to bypass PHYS 141 and enroll in PHYS 142 or PHYS 151 or in rare cases PHYS 201. Students interested in the PHYS 131-132 algebra based track will place out of PHYS 131 with a 4 or 5 on PHYS 1 or C:Mech and start in 141 or 132. Students applying to medical school may—after consultation with the pre-health professions office—obtain a statement of credit for PHYS 131 (4 or 5 on PHYS 1 or C:Mech) and PHYS 132 (4 or 5 on PHYS 2 or C:E&M). Students who took the Physics B exam should consult the department.
Spanish
Placement depends on department exam results.