Math Placement Test

[General Information]  [Required Admission Scores]  [Test Dates]
  [Intermediate Test]   [Advanced Test]
[Sample problems]

General Information

• Pre-registration is not required.
• Students must bring Picture I.D., Student No., Social Security number, and a #2 pencil.
• A fee of $25 (exact amount) is payable at time of testing. Checks are okay.
• Test is timed for 60 minutes; however, please allow 90 minutes for entire administration.
• Calculators may not be used on either the intermediate or the advanced test.

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 and Advanced (see table below). Contact the Math Department (360.650.3785) if uncertain about the correct level for you to take.

• Test is waived for students who scored three or higher on ETS' Advanced Placement Calculus Exam.
• 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 either Math 99 or Math 106.
• Students who earned a C or better in College Intermediate Algebra from a Washington State community college or university 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 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 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 $25 is required for each retest.
• Test dates(see below): Math Placement test is given during Summer Start for entering freshmen, during Transitions for transfers, every day during the first week of classes, and twice a week throughout the academic year.

Required Admission Scores

Intermediate Test Topics

1. For entrance into Math 101, 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;
      
2. To enter 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

3. This test is appropriate only for students expecting or seeking to take a calculus course:
   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.
      
4. 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

Test Dates: Spring 2008 Schedule

The Math Placement Test is given every day the first week of classes each quarter, and on most Mondays and Thursdays through the quarter. Check schedule below for specific dates.

All administrations are at the Testing Center (Old Main 120) unless otherwise posted:

• Daily during first week of classes (March 31- April 4):
  

  Mon, March 31	9:00am	Fraser Hall 4
  Tues.- Fri, April 1-4	9:00am	Old Main 120

  
  
• Generally twice a week through the quarter (check dates below to be sure):
  

  Mondays at 3pm	April 7, 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12, 19; June 2, 9
  Thursdays at 9am	April 3, 10, 17, 24,; May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; June 5, 12