College Math Placement Test Prep

What is a college math placement test?

Most colleges and universities use a placement test to determine the math skills of each incoming student. These rigorous exams test on a wide range of math concepts and are used to place each student into the math class that best fits his or her skill level.

What math is on a placement test?

The math on a placement test falls into three categories: arithmetic, algebra, and advanced math. Mastering the arithmetic on the test will place you out of one remedial math course. Acing the algebra will allow you skip remedial math entirely. Conquer the advanced math, and you might even place out of College Algebra.

How do I study for a placement test?

To study for a placement test, we recommend the approach outlined below.

1. Use an online course that outlines the exact material that’s covered on the test.
2. Get video instruction throughout the course.
3. Practice thoroughly until you’re comfortable with the material.
4. Test yourself to make sure you have it down.

Can you use a calculator on a math placement test?

Whether or not you can use a calculator depends on which math placement test you’re taking. On the ACCUPLACER Math test, for example, you're not allowed to bring a physical calculator into the test center or use handheld calculators, but an on-screen calculator is available within the test for some questions. On the ALEKS test, you have access to a built-in calculator whenever you need it.

What type of math is on a college placement test?

A college placement test covers the type of math you would see in Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2. The following is a more detailed list of the kind of math that’s on the test.

• Fractions
• Decimals
• Ratio, Proportion, and Percent
• Expressions, Equations and Inequalities
• Linear Equations and Systems of Equations
• Exponents, Polynomials, and Factoring
• Radicals and Quadratics
• Geometry and Measurement
• Probability and Statistics

How do I pass a college math placement test?

If you’re wondering how to pass a college math placement test, start with practice questions that are as close as possible to the actual test questions. To find sample questions, check your college’s website or the official website of the test that you’re taking. If the questions are difficult for you, the next step is to use an online course that teaches you the math concepts behind the questions.

How do I prepare for a college placement test?

The following steps show how to prepare for a college placement test.

1. Determine which test your college uses. There are many different types of college placement tests. Make sure you’re preparing for the exact test you’ll be taking.
2. Take advantage of the tools provided by your college. For example, most colleges have a page on their website that’s devoted to their math placement test.
3. Review for the test. Don’t make the mistake of going into the test unprepared. Instead, use a study guide that provides plenty of instruction and practice.

How many questions are on a math placement test?

There are many different types of math placement tests. Depending on which test you’re taking, it might have lots of questions or not so many, it could be timed or untimed, and calculators may or may not be allowed. Some tests have standard multiple-choice questions while others use a computer to adapt the test to your skill level as you progress, giving you harder questions when you get them right and easier questions when you get them wrong. It’s best to read about your specific math placement test online so you know what to expect.

Is a placement test hard?

Placement tests aren’t necessarily hard. These exams primarily cover the Algebra that you learned in high school, so whether or not they are hard depends on how well you did in Algebra.

Should you study for a math placement test?

You should definitely study for your college math placement test so that you don’t get stuck in remedial math classes. The proper amount of time to devote to a study guide is between 1 and 3 months.

What is a math assessment test?

A math assessment test is a test that colleges use to assess your math background and place you into the appropriate math course. Another name for a math assessment test is a math placement test.

Can you fail a placement test for college?

You can’t technically “fail” a college placement test. However, low scoring students are placed into remedial classes, which can have major ramifications. Remedial classes are expensive, take multiple semesters to complete, and offer no college credit. High scoring students, on the other hand, are able to skip remedial classes. As a result, they save precious time and money, and they are much more likely to graduate.

Do I need to take the math placement exam?

Taking the math placement exam is a requirement for most incoming college students. However, if you have a high enough score on a different standardized test, such as the SAT, you may not have to take the math placement exam.

What are the different college math placement tests?

There are many different college math placement tests. Some are national exams, and others are state-specific tests. The following is a list of the most common tests.

National tests:

• ALEKS
• ACCUPLACER

State tests:

• NCDAP (North Carolina)
• PERT (Florida)
• TSI (Texas)
• VPT (Virginia)

What if I don’t know which math placement test my college uses?

Often students are aware that they need to take a college placement test, but they don’t know which one their school requires. You can find the information on their website or through their admissions office. However, to make life easier, you can use the link below to select your college or university and we’ll let you know which test it uses.

Click here to find out which assessment test your college offers

Our list of colleges and their tests is very current. However, you may want to double-check with your school’s website to make absolutely sure that you’re preparing for the correct test.

What is the “Math Placement Test (Universal)” course that I see on your list?

Many colleges use a custom test they’ve created themselves (instead of offering one of the major placement tests such as the ACCUPLACER, PERT, etc.). In this situation, we recommend our “Universal” math placement test prep course. This thorough study guide covers every topic you might come across if your college offers its own placement test.