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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.
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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.
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Required Admission Scores
Students are admitted to mathematics courses based on Math Placement Test results as shown in the following table.
Note: If you score 14 or less on the intermediate test, you may only take Math 99 or Math 106.
| Course Number | Course Title | Intermediate Score Required | Advanced Score Required
|
| Math 101/112 | Functions & Alg Meth |
15-35 | 10-30* |
| Math 107 | Math Reason & Apps | 15-35 | 10-30* |
| Math 114 | Precalculus I | 20-35 | 10-30 |
| Math 118 | Accelerated Precalculus | 25-35 | 15-30 |
| Math 124 | Calculus & Anal. Geom. | - | 20-30 |
| Math 156 | Algebra w/bus & econ | 20-35 | 10-30 |
| Math 157 | Calculus w/bus & econ | - | 15-30 |
| Math 240 | Intro to Statistics | 17-35 | 10-30 |
| Math 381 | Teaching K-8 Math | 20-35 | 10-30 |
* Students scoring less than 10 on Advanced Test must take Intermediate Test
to enter these courses.
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Intermediate Test Topics
- 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;
- 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
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Advanced Test Topics
- 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.
- 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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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 |
[View sample problems]
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