<p>octalc0de, this is apples to apples. Science and Engineering majors at other schools are typically required to take and typically take non-proof-based calculus. Obviously, ma1a shouldn’t be a problem for the math majors, but it sometimes is for other majors.</p>
<p>In other words, the large majority of students coming to Caltech (everyone but math/Acm) are going to have to take a class they would be required to take nowhere else! This is sort of important, and it’s definitely unexpected by most incoming freshmen. I don’t know enough higher math to accurately describe the difference between ma1a and standard calc courses, but I do know enough to know they are different.</p>
<p>(And re: fizix’s note, I have also “actually taken” math 1a)</p>
<p>Edit: It’s very nice that “high schoolers” were able to complete the Math 1a final in fifteen minutes, but the implication you’re trying to make is not only blatantly false but is also dangerous. Many, many students at Caltech have trouble with math 1a, so I can only come to a couple of conclusions regarding your statement.</p>
<p>Because many techers have trouble with Math 1a:
Either
- The high schoolers were much brighter than the average techer AND were simultaneously “within the realm of standard” (or lower)
Or - The high schoolers were much brighter than the average techer AND were brighter than “standard”
Or - The final was particularly easy</p>
<p>I’ll let the other readers decide which of these seems most plausible, but in my opinion 2 and 3 make a lot more sense than 1. </p>
<p>Full disclosure: the only class I ever came close to failing at Caltech was Math 1a.</p>