<p>“The dept. placement test is usually much harder than the corresponding AP tests. There is a very small group of people (handful, maybe) who couldn’t take the exam, or had some circumstance that impacted their performance, who might be able to place out of the class via dept. test but didn’t get the AP score.”</p>
<p>I didn’t take the AP out of laziness because I was in multivariable calc senior year. I took the Math 104 exam when I got to Penn and I thought it was very easy simply because you can bring one sheet of notes (back and front). Yes, you have to know your stuff, but you get two hours for (I think) 20 questions, so if all you do is write down every single important note on your cheat sheet you should be ok. After passing Math 104 I decided to take the Math 114 exam. I didn’t pay much attention in class senior year so I hadn’t memorized most of the necessary formulas, but, again, my cheat sheet saved me. So I wouldn’t say the exams are that difficult, as long as you know how to prepare for them. This is all assuming that you understood all the material in your course quite well and are able to apply the various formulas, identities, and strategies correctly.</p>