Math Placement Test

General Information  | Required Admission Scores | Test Dates
  General Test |  Advanced Test
Sample problems

General Information

• Pre-registration is not required.
• Students must bring Picture I.D., Student No., and a #2 pencil.
• A fee of $30 (cash or check) is payable at time of testing.
• Test is timed for 60 minutes; however, please allow 90 minutes for entire administration.
• Calculators may not be used on either the Intermediate/General or the Advanced test.

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Test Date's Schedule

The Math Placement Test is given several times the first week of classes each quarter, and on additional dates during the quarter. Check schedule below for specific dates.

All administrations are at the Testing Center (333 32nd St., AC 120)
unless otherwise posted:

Tues., April 9	9:00 a.m.	Testing Center, 333 32nd St., AC 120
Thurs., April 11	3:30 p.m.	Testing Center, 333 32nd St., AC 120
Tues., April 16	4:00 p.m.	Testing Center, 333 32nd St., AC 120
Thurs., April 25	3:30 p.m.	Testing Center, 333 32nd St., AC 120
Tues., May 7	3:30 p.m.	Testing Center, 333 32nd St., AC 120
Thurs., May 16	9:00 a.m.	Testing Center, 333 32nd St., AC 120
Tues., May 21	4:00 p.m.	Testing Center, 333 32nd St., AC 120
Fri., May 31	2:00 p.m.	Testing Center, 333 32nd St., AC 120
Sat., June 1	10:30 a.m.	Testing Center, 333 32nd St., AC 120
Tues., June 4	3:30 p.m.	Testing Center, 333 32nd St., AC 120
Thurs., June 6	9:00 a.m.	Testing Center, 333 32nd St., AC 120
Tues., June 11	3:00 p.m.	Testing Center, 333 32nd St., AC 120

Who must take the Math Placement Test?

Most students, including those who have transfer credits for math courses taken elsewhere, must take the Math Placement Test before taking their first math course at Western. There are two levels of the Math Placement Test, Intermediate/General and Advanced (see table below). Contact the Math Department (360.650.3785) if uncertain about the correct level for you to take.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Test is waived for students who scored three or higher on ETS' Advanced Placement Calculus Exam, with the following exception: To qualify for WWU Honors Mathematics classes, students need to pass the Advanced Math Placement Test.
• Test may be waived by Math Dept. advisor for students who have college credit for a calculus course equivalent to Math 124 (calculus).
• Students with a score of at least 480 on the SAT (Math) or 18 on the ACT (Math) may register for Math 101, 112, or 107 without taking the MPT.
• Test is not required for entrance into Math 99 or Math 106. Math 99 is offered through Extended Education as a fee-based course.
• Students who earned a C+ or better in the final precalculus course at a Washington community college or university within the last five years may register for Math 124 without a placement test.
• Students who earned a C or better in College Intermediate Algebra from a Washington State community college or university within the last five years may register for Math 381 without taking the MPT.
• Students who earned a C- or better in a College Intermediate Algebra course at a Washington community college or university within the last five years may register for Math 101 (aimed at Education majors) with permission of instructor, or Math 112 or Math 107, without a placement test.
• Retest Policy: A student may take each level, Intermediate/General and Advanced, twice (first-time and one retest) within any one-year period, with a minimum two-week wait between test and retest. A fee of $30 is required for each retest.
• Test dates. Math Placement test is given during Summer Start for entering freshmen, during Transitions for transfers, and at various times through the academic year. [Test Dates]

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Course Eligibility Scores

Students are admitted to mathematics courses based on
Math Placement Test results as shown in the following table.

Scaled Scores

Course	Advanced Test New Scaled Score MPA3	General Test New Scaled Score MPI3/MPG3
Math 99	NA	NA
Math 107	143	145
Math 112	143	145
Math 114	143	150
Math 118	148	155
Math 124	153	NA
Math 156	143	150
Math 157	148	NA
Math 240	143	147
Math 381	143	150

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Intermediate Test Topics

A. To place into Math 112 or 107:

• Basic operations with rational numbers & expressions, radical expressions, exponents, polynomials;
• Solve linear equations and inequalities;
• Graph linear equations;
• Factor and solve quadratic equations;
• Solve related applied problems

B. To place into Math 114, 118, 156, 240, 381: Meet all "A" requirements above, plus:

• Solve equations involving linear and quadratic expressions and absolute values;
• Graph linear and quadratic functions; functional notation
• Solve both linear and nonlinear equations and inequalities;
• Solve equations involving rational and radical expressions;
• Solve applied problems in above areas

Advanced Test Topics

This test is appropriate only for students expecting or seeking to take a calculus course.

C. To place into Math 157:
Meet requirements of "A" and "B" above, plus:

• Graph polynomial and rational functions by finding real zeroes and asymptotes;
• Graph exponential and logarithmic functions;
• Solve linear and non-linear systems of equations and inequalities;
• Solve applied problems in the above areas.

D. To place into Math 124:
Meet requirements of "A," "B," and "C" above, plus:

• Graph trigonometric functions and inverses using radian or degree measure;
• Verify trigonometric identities;
• Use laws of sine and cosine to solve problems involving triangles;
• Solve applied problems in above areas

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