---
title: Exploring The Role of College Placement Practices in STEM Calculus Access and Success
description: This MMAP brief shares findings from research examining a student cohort's STEM Calculus 1 placement, outcomes, and advancement to STEM Calculus 2.
---

[Resources ](https://www.rpgroup.org/resources)

# [Exploring The Role of College Placement Practices in STEM Calculus Access and Success](https://www.rpgroup.org/resources/exploring-the-role-of-college-placement-practices-in-stem-calculus-access-and-success)

 Written by [The RP Group](https://www.rpgroup.org/resources/author/the-rp-group) | May 2026

This brief highlights findings from additional MMAP research examining whether patterns observed in [statewide analyses](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLRMUMtRC%2FhuKYYaGw2atRf4Qt3C0Ykt6D9DDd86RlbPVtkoodWd7SnOMWL4ADXC2K%2BUgLkB0mqpsEvKcmfKs2%2BV51mpFmjWJnLkJf85YaQScFnhW0KMuuUtf2zvNZ03cIbIxVpbbXw3KgUYTQSaXdt8ZuWdeN3AThFXdH0omH%2FBxBFK6UjHoONzCu3iboMbHEvqxca%2BkYeAZWaxOJA%2FnG%2BWLPSr2HcGAQKSqYFWn%2BkfxqYaUxpJBa%2FyCgTjc7%2FW9f21HcnudSk8nd7%2F5dQK4FNXx2jAvuLqWzpC%2BiUFOef9BD%2BMvS4E4o5fJShiH0dbEcNBACYdhFDBzmV&webInteractiveContentId=206425238162&portalId=44593827) hold when preparation is measured with greater precision using data directly from colleges. It presents information on a recent cohort of students who began in STEM Calculus 1 at 19 colleges, including how they were placed; their outcomes by placement method and placement profile (based on their level of high school preparation); and their advancement to STEM Calculus 2.

Key findings from this study:

- Colleges mainly use local default guidelines to place students in STEM Calculus 1, relying almost entirely on information from the statewide college application system.
- Students complete STEM Calculus 1 at comparable rates, regardless of placement method.
- Among students who require STEM Calculus 2 for their major, progression to that course is low.
- However, success rates are strong for students who advance in the sequence and comparable across placement methods and preparation levels.

Related Resources:

- [Technical Appendix](https://www.rpgroup.org/resources/technical-appendix-exploring-the-role-of-college-placement-practices-in-stem-calculus-access-and-success)

[View full post](https://www.rpgroup.org/resources/exploring-the-role-of-college-placement-practices-in-stem-calculus-access-and-success)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "The RP Group"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-05-15T15:45:00.774Z",
  "datePublished" : "2026-05-15T15:45:00Z",
  "headline" : "Exploring The Role of College Placement Practices in STEM Calculus Access and Success",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 60,
    "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
    "width" : 60
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.rpgroup.org/resources/exploring-the-role-of-college-placement-practices-in-stem-calculus-access-and-success",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "Resources"
  }
}
```