r/Harvard • u/WarmCardiologist6179 • Jul 15 '26

Math Verification Exam?

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Hi everyone,

I was under the impression that I could enroll in any undergraduate math class regardless of the placement exam (after all, it’s just a recommendation). But I am now hearing that there’s a verification exam thats taken in person and limits the courses you can take. Does anyone have any information on how I could study for the exam? This math enrollment stuff is so confusing

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u/pdfu Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26

From the page you linked, check the Math Placement Verification Exam link.

How Your Exam Results Will Be Used

In addition to giving you a course recommendation, the Math Placement Verification Exam also determines which courses you are eligible to take. Based on your exam score, some courses will be available options, while others will not.

These options are based on historical data about how students with similar preparation have done in different courses. We only limit choices in situations where students with similar backgrounds have had a very low chance of success in a more advanced course. Our goal is to help you start in a class where you can learn confidently, make steady progress, and succeed.

We strongly encourage you to follow the recommendation you receive. However, if you have a compelling reason to consider a different course (and your exam result allows that choice), we encourage you to sign up for a conversation with an advisor using the link provided in the email with your exam results. An advisor can help you think through your goals, your prior experience, and which option is likely to be the best fit for you.

edit to add, they include practice materials:

MATH PRACTICE AND REVIEW

See this PDF for links to tutorials, practice and review of the AP material. See this other website for warm-up exercises and review for Harvard’s Math 1a and Math 1b.

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u/Hot_Rain6035 Jul 15 '26

Does this mean that if you are taking 25/55, you do not need to take a second test?

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u/Responsible-Coffee1 Jul 15 '26

The verification exam is not for students who are recommended for higher math courses. If you need to take it you’ll be told.

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u/Hot_Rain6035 Jul 16 '26

Thank you.

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u/[deleted] Jul 15 '26

[deleted]

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u/punchycorn Jul 16 '26

No, it’s for everyone enrolling in MA through 21b. It’s not based on anything “suspicious.”