Placement Testing in Mathematics

Current Testing Times

Contact Debra Shafer at 704-687-2488 for more information.

Why do I have to take a Placement Test?

Educational accomplishments in mathematics often exert a strong influence on career accomplishments. College-level mathematics study must build on and extend prior experiences. In recent years, students entering UNC-Charlotte have become more diverse, especially in academic background, in time since high school graduation, in age, and in work experience. As a result, the mathematics department has great difficulty in placing students in their first college mathematics course by using only data such as high school rank, grade point average, or record of high school mathematics courses. Consequently, the mathematics department at UNC-Charlotte requires all entering students to take a written placement test.

Who has to take the Placement Test?

All students entering UNC-Charlotte have to take a placement test in mathematics before they can register for a mathematics course. The only students exempt from the placement test are students transferring in math credit for College Algebra (Math 1100), Pre-Calculus (math 1103) or Calculus (math 1120 or 1241) from another institution of higher education. However, all students in the Engineering Technology program are required to take the placement test in mathematics regardless of transfer credit.

What kind of test can I expect?

The placement test in mathematics is a timed test. You have thirty (30) minutes to complete the entire test. It is made up of twenty-five (25) multiple-choice questions on basic algebra skills. It is a written test and no calculator is allowed.

How many times can I take the test?

A student is allowed to take the test twice. The second test is different from the first, yet it is very similar in its make-up.

How is the score determined and what does it mean?

The score is based on the number of questions (out of 25) a student gets correct in thirty minutes.

The math placement score determines the highest-level mathematics course for which a student can initially register. The exact math courses a student should take will depend on the student's intended major. Course descriptions are available at the following links:

Mathematics

Statistics

Math 1102 (Intro to Mathematical Thinking) and Math 1105 (Finite Math) do not have a minimum score assigned, therefore any student taking the placement test can sign up for one of these courses.

If a student makes between 0 and 10 (for Fall 2007 0 and 9), they will need to sign up for Math 0900 before enrolling in higher-level math courses. Math 0900 is a one-hour credit intermediate algebra class designed to refresh the student's skills in algebra.

If a student makes between 11 and 13 (for Fall 2007 10 and 13), they can sign up for Math 1100 (College Algebra).

If a student makes between 14 and 17, they can sign up for either Math 1100 (College Algebra) or Math 1103 (Pre-Calculus).

If a student makes between 18 and 25, they can sign up for any of the following courses: Math 1100, Math 1103, either Math 1120 (Calculus) or Math 1241 (Calculus I), and Stat 1220, Stat 1221, or Stat 1222 (Elements of Statistics I), depending on their major.

When and where is the test given?

The test is given to large SOAR groups during the month of June and at the beginning of the spring semester in January. It is also given to individuals needing to take the test in the Mathematics Department, located on the third floor of the Fretwell building. Unless otherwise noted, no appointment is needed to take the test at the times listed below. If you intend to come to one of the pre-set testing times, please plan to arrive a few minutes before the test start time.

Is there a practice placement test?

Yes. Here is a printable version. You will need the Adobe Acrobat reader to view or print it. To download the free Adobe plug-in, click here.

Can I check my answers on the practice placement test?

The answer key is here. You will also need the Adobe Acrobat reader to view or print the key. If you take the practice placement test, your answers are graded automatically.

Is there an online version of the practice placement test?

Yes, in addition to the printable version of the placement test, the practice test is available online and the problems are graded immediately, but no percentage grade is given for the whole test. In order to login, click on "Guest Login". No grades are recorded from the online practice test. Each login has a slightly different version of the practice test. (Note: The real placement test is NOT given online.)

Please send comments, concerns and questions to Professor Debra Shafer .