Math Placement Tests
You may need to take a placement test to assess your skills before you register for a math, statistics, chemistry or physics course.
Four pieces of information determine whether you need to take a placement test:
- Your major
- The math courses required for your major
- The target math ACT subscore for each course
- Your math ACT subscore
You need to take a math placement assessment only if your math ACT subscore is below the required level for the math course that you are interested in pursuing or if you do not have a math ACT subscore on record with the Registrar.
Click "View Math Requirements by Major" below to view the required math courses and math ACT scores.
| Major | Required Math Course | If Your ACT Subscore is Below: | Take: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | CHEM 1110, MATH 1090 | 19 / 510 | Take Chemistry exam (If not passed, take pre- calculus or other appropriate math course for their degree program to gain math preparedness before chem 1110) |
| Chemistry | CHEM 1110, MATH 1130 | 19 / 510 |
Take calculus readiness placement exam. If failed, place them in Pre-Calculus course. No other placement test needed. If the student has taken HS Calculus, no placement test needed. They start with Calculus here. Math faculty will help to decide which calculus course based on the student grades in the HS course. |
| Data Science | Math 1130 | 19 / 510 |
Take calculus readiness placement exam. If failed, place them in Pre-Calculus course. No other placement test needed. If the student has taken HS Calculus, no placement test needed. They start with Calculus here. Math faculty will help to decide which calculus course based on the student grades in the HS course. |
| Dietetics | CHEM 1110 | 19 / 510 | Take Chemistry exam (If not passed, take pre- calculus or other appropriate math course for their degree program to gain math preparedness before chem 1110) |
| Exercise Science | Chem 1110 | 19 / 510 | Take Chemistry exam (If not passed, take pre- calculus or other appropriate math course for their degree program to gain math preparedness before chem 1110) |
| Mathematics | MATH 1130 (and more) | 19 / 510 |
Take calculus readiness placement exam. If failed, place them in Pre-Calculus course. No other placement test needed. If the student has taken HS Calculus, no placement test needed. They start with Calculus here. Math faculty will help to decide which calculus course based on the student grades in the HS course. |
| Nutrition Science | CHEM 1110 | 19 / 510 | Take Chemistry exam (If not passed, take pre- calculus or other appropriate math course for their degree program to gain math preparedness before chem 1110) |
| All Other Majors | Life Core Math Requirement | No placement test |
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.
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.
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.
Math placement assessments are administered by the Math Department. If you encounter technical problems or have questions, please email mathplacementtest@stkate.edu