Test Levels: Where Do You Stand?

Test A:

This test is for students who are not familiar with algebra. It covers arithmetic with whole numbers, percentages, simplification of polynomials and expressions involving integral components, evaluation of polynomials, solving linear equations, graphing points and lines, proportions and radicals. A successful score on this test will place you into College Algebra (Math 115)or the Quantitative Reasoning course (Math Q114), which is a minimum requirement for all students. Click below to practice math at this level.

Sample Test A

Test B:

This test is for students who have studied two years of high school algebra or one or two semesters of College Algebra. It contains the rules for exponents (integral and negative), scientific notation, square roots, manipulating literal fractions with letters in them example 1(x+1) + 1(x-1) factoring, solving linear equations, solving simultaneous equations, word problems, and lines and points graphed on a plane. Successful completion of this test places the student into Pre-calculus( Math 130) and an Introduction to Computing (CS 110). Click below to practice math at this level.

Sample Test B

Tests C and D:

These tests are for students who have successfully completed an Intermediate Algebra course with Trigonometry and seek to place into Calculus (Math 134, 140 or 145) or Introduction to Computer Programming (CS 110). In addition to the material covered in Test B, these tests covers slopes and intercepts of straight lines, parabolas and quadratic equations, exponential, logarithmic and trigonomic functions: their graphs, algebra and inverse functions. Click below to practice math at this level.

Sample Test C

Sample Test D

The best way to prepare for the Math Placement test is to review the math problems from the last math course you took. A good book for review for Test A or B is Basic Math, You Can Count on Yourself by Linda FalsteinIt is available at the reserve desk in the Healey Library at UMass Boston, or at the campus bookstore.
Remember: In order to keep the math transfer credits you matriculate with, it is important that you choose the correct test to take and get a score that places you in a course higher than the one(s) you have transferred. If you register for a course at or below that level, you will lose your transfer credit.