Math Placement Testing

*A “Statistics” requirement is satisfied by ECON 1090, HLTH 1090, PSYC 1090, or STAT 1090.

Basic Skills Placement (MBAS)

For students with an ACT score below 19 wanting to take Mathematical Structures for teachers (MATH 2500) or Conceptual Physics (PHYS 1050).

Assesses knowledge of equations and number properties.

• Questions: 32 questions
• Time limit: 40 minutes

Basic Skills Placement covers the following areas:

• Fractions, decimals
• Solving proportions
• Perimeter, area, volume
• Order of operations
• Signed numbers
• Simplifying algebraic expressions
• Exponents
• Solving first degree equations, inequalities

Algebra Placement (MALB)

For students with an ACT score below 19 wanting to take Precalculus (MATH 1090) or certain versions of Statistics (PSYC 1090 or ECON 1090).

Assesses knowledge of basic algebraic manipulation and equations.

• Questions: 25 questions
• Time limit: 40 minutes

Algebra Placement covers the following areas:

• Fractions, decimals
• Solving proportions
• Perimeter, area, volume
• Order of operations
• Signed numbers
• Simplifying algebraic expressions
• Exponents
• Solving first degree equations, inequalities
• Graphing linear equations
• Systems of linear equations
• Polynomials
• Rational expressions
• Quadratic Equation
• Radicals

Chemistry Placement (CHMP)

For students with an ACT score below 19 wanting to take General Chemistry for Health Sciences (CHEM 1010) or General Chemistry I (CHEM 1110).

Assesses knowledge of basic algebraic manipulation and equations.

• Questions: 30 questions
• Time limit: 40 minutes

Chemistry Placement covers the following areas:

• Solving and graphing linear equations
• Approximation/Estimation
• Scientific notation
• Order of operations
• Unit conversions
• Conversions between decimals/fractions/ratios/percentages
• Polynomials
• Solving quadratic equation
• Radicals and roots

Calculus Readiness Placement (MCAL)

For students with an ACT score below 26 wanting to take Calculus I (MATH 1130) or Computer Programming I (CSCI 1110).

Assesses algebra skills, including logarithms and quadratic equations.

• Questions: 25 questions
• Time limit: 40 minutes

Calculus Readiness Placement covers the following areas:

• Order of operations
• Perimeters, areas, volume
• Roots and radicals
• Exponents, polynomials
• Simplifying algebraic expressions
• Solving/graphing systems of linear equations
• Functions and graphs
• Factoring
• Quadratic equations
• Logarithmic functions

Trigonometry Placement (MTRG)

For students wanting to take Physics 1080 or Calculus (MATH 1130) with a math ACT subscore below 26.

Assesses trigonometry skills, with an emphasis on right triangle trigonometry.

• Questions: 12 questions
• Time limit: 20 minutes

Trigonometry Placement covers the following areas:

• Pythagorean Theorem
• Trigonometry identities and algebraic manipulation
• Unit circle
• Trigonometric functions and graphs

There are four math placement assessments — Basic Skills, Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus Readiness, and Chemistry. Make sure you prepare for the test that is designated for your major's course requirement.

You may borrow textbooks or work with math tutors before taking your placement test. You may also check out our workshops, classes and math refresher problems available on Math Foundations and Khan Academy.

Use Math Foundations if you are taking the basic skills or algebra placement. Use Khan Academy to prepare for the calculus readiness and trigonometry placement assessments.

Khan Academy

Practice Questions for the Basic Skills Placement

Practice Questions for the Algebra Placement

Practice Questions for the Chemistry Placement

When should I take the math placement assessment?
You may take the assessment only once per placement period. The placement periods are:

• January 1–March 31
• April 1–May 31
• June 1–June 30
• July 1–July 31
• August 1–August 31
• September 1–September 30
• October 1–December 31

You may take the math placement assessment online up to 72 hours before your registration event. The assessment is timed so that you will need at least 45 minutes when you can work without interruption.

Read the Instructions Before Accessing the System

Log in to the Test System

Where do I get my placement assessment results?
When you complete the assessment, click the SUBMIT ASSESSMENT button. The assessment will immediately respond with a message regarding your results. Your score will be posted to Banner within 2 business days of completion of the exam; you may register for class after your score has been posted.

What if I don't pass the math placement assessment?
You may take the assessment only once per placement period. Before re-taking the assessment, you must develop a plan to improve your skills. Options to help you meet your academic goals include classes, workshops, and independent study. You will be directed to our innovative MATH 1010, a 2-credit math course devoted to meeting students "where they are at" so that can enroll in college-level math.