1. Do I have to take the Math Placement Exam? (AP Credit / transfer of credit explanation)

Every student who enters the University is expected to take the Placement Exam with a few exceptions. Students who have scored 3 or better in an AP Calculus course do not have to take this exam. Transfer students whose math course has been successfully transferred as MATH221 or higher do not have to take the Math Placement Exam with the exception of MATH266. Students who receive credit for MATH266 must take the Math Placement Exam. In both of these cases, the Math Placement Exam is waived only if these transactions have successfully occurred prior to your student orientation. If there is any question, take the Math Placement Exam. These results will be ignored in the event your credits transfer or your AP credit is accepted.

Your Math Placement Exam score will be interpreted and discussed with an advisor during your student orientation meeting.

2. Can I use a calculator on the Math Placement Exam?

No, calculators are not allowed. You should be able to complete the problems using algebraic skills and concepts that you have learned in prior math courses. For instance, if a question asks you to evaluate 2^-1 then you should be able to recognize that it is equivalent to 1/2. This type of problem should not be done with a calculator. It tests your knowledge of negative exponents when completed without access to a calculator. If a question asks about a graph of a polynomial, you should use your knowledge of polynomial functions to choose a correct graph rather then using a calculator. Calculator use and the use of any materials other than a pencil and paper will invalidate the results. It is in your best interest to follow the directions carefully.

3.What will the exam results indicate?

Your score is translated into a level of performance used to determine which math course is appropriate.  There are six levels, each level is associated with a math course or courses. It is strongly recommended that you enroll in a course that is at or below your level.  The current “level sheet” is at http://www.math.udel.edu/placement/levels.html Thus if you place into Level III, Math 114, Math 113, Math 127, or Math 010 is strongly recommended.  Your advisor will indicate which course is appropriate for each major.

4. How can I review for the test prior to taking the test?

Practice problems are available at the web address:

Please try these problems before attempting the Math Placement Exam.

The solutions are also available at:

All students are encouraged to review for this test. This test is an important measure of your math skills and is used to assist your advisor in placing you in an appropriate math course. If you do not take it seriously, you may enroll in a math course that is too easy or too difficult!

5. Why is there a Math Placement Exam?

In the past, advisors at the University tried to correctly place students using their Math SAT scores and their high school grades but this was not sufficiently reliable. The faculty of the Department of Mathematical Sciences has devised the Math Placement Exam to aid you in making a proper course selection.

6. How valid is this test?

Results from previous semesters indicate the test is correctly placing students. While there might be exceptions, if the advice indicated by the exam is not followed there is a chance a student will not succeed due to inadequate preparation or will not understand the mathematical concepts introduced. We strongly urge you to carefully consider the consequences of not getting a solid start in the vital subject of mathematics. You should, of course, carefully monitor your progress in your mathematics course. If you are convinced that you are enrolled in an inappropriate course, you should see your advisor and instructor to discuss a possible change of registration.

7. Why do I test into a course that I have already taken in high school?

Unfortunately, math courses are not standardized so that a course taken in high school may not cover the same material nor have the same level of expectation as a similar course offered in college.

8. Is it necessary to take precalculus before calculus?

If your placement level indicates your precalculus skills are weak, you should take precalculus. Math 010 is designed to provide the necessary skills for Math 114, Math 115, or Math 117. Math 115 is designed to provide the necessary skills for Math 221. Math 117 is designed to prepare students for Math 241. Skipping a course is not recommended and would result in a definite gap in your mathematics preparation.

9. What are the various mathematics courses below the calculus level in which students might be placed following the Placement Test?

A significant effort has been made by the University of Delaware to make your transition to college mathematics a successful one. Many students are quite unprepared. A special instructional staff from the Preparatory Mathematics Program of the Department of Mathematics provides special instructional support for students enrolled in Intermediate Algebra and most one hundred level math courses.

This instructional staff has developed an extensive list of math courses for this purpose. These are described below and in the college catalog.

Math 010 Intermediate Algebra: This course carry no college credit but are useful in strengthening weak algebra skills required for the one hundred level courses. This course covers traditional Algebra topics such as functions, linear and quadratic functions and their graphs, radicals, inequalities, operations with polynomials and rational expressions and solving linear and quadratic equations. Students will also be asked to show a mastery of word problems using variables. Students are successful in this course (a grade of A or B) are usually successful in a one-hundred level math course. Prerequisite skills include Basic Algebra or Algebra I.

Math 113 Contemporary Mathematics: This course solves a variety of real-world applications using mathematical methods that de-emphasize algebraic methods. Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics, probability, management science, optimization via analysis of models, coding information, social choice and decision-making, and size and shape.

Math 114 College Mathematics & Statistics: This course is used to satisfy the final mathematics requirement for many degree programs in several colleges, including the BA degree in the College of Arts and Sciences. Topics include statistics, linear modeling and applications, quadratic modeling and applications, exponential functions and their applications, and logarithmic functions and their applications.

Math 115 Precalculus: This course isdesigned to prepare students for Math 221 Calculus I. Topics include further study of functions, linear functions and their applications, quadratic functions, polynomial and rational functions, radical functions, exponential and logarithmic functions and trigonometric functions. Equations and inequalities and their solutions are also emphasized. Prerequisite is Algebra II or Intermediate Algebra.

Math 117 Precalculus for Scientists and Engineers: This course is designed to prepare students for Math 241 Analytic Geometry and Calculus A. Topics will cover the same topics as Math 115 as well as additional topics in polynomial theory of equations, trigonometric functions, sequences and geometry. Prerequisite is a strong background in Algebra II or Intermediate Algebra.

10. Can I take the placement exam twice?

No, each student can take this exam once. If you feel the exam is not an accurate reflection of your abilities, please talk with your advisor.

11. What can I do this summer if I place into a level that mentions a review of various math topics is required or if I just want to review my math skills before beginning my math course?

In some cases, your placement score may indicate that you should review some skills prior to taking the course. Or you may feel that you would like to review your skills before beginning your math course. At the web site http://www.math.udel.edu/placement/pt_rev.html there are three outlines that list some general topics that you should review prior to enrolling in each course.

Although each of these informal outlines refers students to selections from a recommended text, any appropriate text will suffice. There are also numerous review software programs that may suffice. Each review program enumerates topics with which students should be familiar with before beginning their fall math course.

If you find you do not recall most of the topics, you may want to enroll in a summer course covering these topics at a community college or hire a tutor over the summer who can teach these topics to you.

Also, you should look carefully at the sample problems mentioned in question 3.

12. I haven't had mathematics in a long time and am concerned about enrolling in Math 010. What topics should I review so that I will be able to complete this course successfully?

Please follow the review program for Math 010 students mentioned in the answer to question 11.

Calculator Requirements:

A graphing calculator (the TI - 83 is preferred) is required for Math 115, Math 117 and Math 221. Math 114 students are required to have access to a graphing calculator - the TI-83 is preferred. Students should wait until the first day of class before investing in a calculator to be sure the proper calculator is purchased. If you are enrolled in a math course other than those listed above, it is also a good idea to ask your instructor what kind of calculator is recommended before making a purchase.

©2004, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Last Modified: October 13, 2004
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