2013 Auburn University
Mathematics Placement Exam
Instructions and Answers
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics requires all entering first-year students to take a Mathematics Placement Exam to ensure correct placement in college-level math courses. Your score on the placement exam will allow you to enroll in the right course during Camp War Eagle.
Instructions
Before you start
- Be sure you have scratch paper and pencils. No calculators, please.
- Allow at least 45 minutes for the exam. Most students finish in less time, but you will have 90 minutes. However, once you start you cannot pause and return later.
- Have your Auburn University UserID and Password ready.
When you are ready
- Log in with your Auburn UserID and Password at http://auburn.instructure.com (we strongly recommend you to use the browser Firefox). You will NOT be able to log in if you have not activated your account.
- After you log in, click the link for the Math Placement Test 2013 class in the Course Listing.
- Be sure to follow the instructions on the main page.
If you have Technical Problems
Your browser crashes
- Save your answers as you take the exam. (You can change the answer before you submit the test.) Then, if your browser crashes or the test freezes, close out your browser completely (all windows and tabs), and reopen the browser; you should be able to resume the quiz if the test time has not expired.
Math Placement Exam FAQs
Questions not answered below
- We have established a special email account that will be monitored by a staff member concerning questions about the Mathematics Placement exam. If your question is not answered below then email mathtst@auburn.edu
What topics does the placement exam cover?
- The exam covers standard high school mathematics, primarily algebra and trigonometry. If you wish to review in preparation for the algebra exam, the following topics are covered: arithmetic of rational numbers, operations with algebraic expressions, linear equations and inequalities, factoring and algebraic fractions, exponents and radicals, graphing and distance, fractional and quadratic equations and inequalities, logarithms, functions, complex numbers, absolute values, systems of equations.
- Many of you will need to take only the algebra portion of the placement exam, but if you have studied trigonometry in high school you will be given the opportunity to take the trigonometry section of the placement exam. Your score on the trigonometry portion cannot lower your placement and may, in some cases, actually allow you to be placed in a higher-level math course. You and your advisor can discuss that during Camp War Eagle.
- The two placement exams are independent and may be taken at separate sittings.
Why does Auburn give an exam?
- We want you to succeed. The placement exam score will help place you in the right CORE math course.
Do I have to take the exam even if I have taken AP Math or don't plan to take math at Auburn?
- Yes. All entering freshmen are required to take the placement exam.
How will the placement score be used?
- The test will be used to determine a student’s appropriate placement into Auburn math. Although the score will not be used to supersede credit earned via transferable coursework or AP/IB testing, ALL students must take the placement test, failure to complete the placement test in a timely manner (at least one week prior to the arrival at Camp War Eagle) will prevent the student from registering for anything other than Math 1000 while at Camp War Eagle.
Should I get help taking the test to improve my score?
- ABSOLUTELY NOT. The test is designed to measure your mathematical abilities so you can begin your college career in the appropriate math course. Obtaining outside help will place you in a class that you will likely fail. Reviewing math concepts and skills beforehand is recommended, but the test should be taken by you and you alone.
When should I take the test?
- As soon as you have at least 45 minutes to take the test. You should take the exam at least a week before you attend Camp War Eagle session. (Note that it is not required that the exam be taken before May 15; but it should be taken at least once before you attend Camp War Eagle session in order that you be properly placed in a mathematics class.)
When will I see my score?
- Immediately after you take the test. If after you see your score you think you can do better, you can review for a few days and take the test again.
What if I don't take the test?
- Students who do not complete the test will be placed in a math class that does not meet the CORE math requirement. See http://bulletin.auburn.edu/ for the minimum math requirement for each major.
Can I have extra time on the test?
- The test is designed for 45 minutes but will not time out for 90 minutes. If you are a student who has had an extra time accommodation in high school then you should plan to take that extra time on the placement exam; you should register with the Office of Accessibility http://www.auburn.edu/academic/disabilities/ (334-844-2096) when you come to Auburn.
I didn't score high enough for the first mathematics course in my curriculum. What can I do? Does that mean that I need to switch majors?
- You do not need to change your major. Your grade on the placement exam indicates that you are not mathematically ready at this time for the first mathematics course in your major (such as Calculus). So you will need to take the course with the necessary prerequisite material. To help students in this situation we are offering online versions of our college algebra and pre-calculus courses during the summer terms; they can be taken online over the internet from home and students are only required to be on campus for the final exam. These courses will also be available in the Fall.
Understanding My Score
Mathematics Placement Test Summer 2013
I. How do I find my score?
To find your score on the Math Placement Tests: Log into Canvas (auburn.instructure.com) and click “Grades” in the blue bar at the top of the page. Your scores will be displayed on the grades page.
II. What is my mathematics placement?
The table below lists the beginning mathematics courses and the scores and other prerequisites required in order to enroll in them. Which course you should take will depend on both your placement and the requirements of your major. Note that the required cut-off levels may change before the summer registration period.
The placement exam is graded on a scale of zero to 100.
Placement based on the Mathematics Placement Test score and/or prerequisite courses:
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NOTE: All courses require High School Geometry and Second Year High School Algebra. |
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COURSE |
Score requirements |
Alternate prerequisite courses |
|
MATH 1000 College Algebra |
No placement score requirement |
No prerequisite |
|
MATH 1100 Finite Mathematics |
At least 34 on math placement test |
No prerequisite |
|
MATH 1120 Pre-Calculus Algebra |
At least 48 on math placement test |
or MATH 1000 |
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MATH 1130 Pre-Calculus Trigonometry |
At least 56 on math placement test |
or credit for MATH 1120 |
|
MATH 1150 Pre-Calculus Algebra and Trigonometry |
At least 64 on math placement test |
or credit for MATH 1000 |
|
MATH 1610 Calculus I |
At least 72 on math placement test |
or credit for MATH 1130 or 1150 |
|
MATH 1680 Business Calculus I |
At least 72 on math placement test |
or credit for MATH 1120 |
|
MATH 1620 Calculus II |
AP credit on AB Calculus exam |
or credit for MATH 1610 |
III. Which math do I need to take for my intended course of study?
See www.auburn.edu/majors for all available majors.
A list of the CORE mathematics for each major can be found below at item VII.
IV. I’m not happy with my score. How can I change or improve my placement?
If the placement exam results indicate that you do not have the skill level to be placed in the first mathematics course in your intended curriculum, you may review materials and take the exam again. Auburn will accept the better of the two scores for placement.
V. What if my best score does not allow me to register for the first mathematics course in my curriculum?
You do not need to change your major. Your grade on the placement exam indicates that you are not mathematically ready at this time for the first mathematics course in your major (such as Calculus). So you will need to take the course with the necessary prerequisite material. To help students in this situation we are offering online versions of our college algebra and pre-calculus courses during the summer terms; they can be taken online over the internet from home and students are only required to be on campus for the final exam. These courses will also be available in the Fall and we encourage you to prepare yourself during the summer and take the appropriate course during Fall. Completion of the appropriate course will allow you to be placed in a higher-level course. You should discuss this option with your advisor.
VI. Summary of Freshman Level Mathematics Courses http://bulletin.auburn.edu/coursesofinstruction/math/
MATH 1000 College Algebra does not satisfy the core mathematics requirement, but elective credit is possible. Students who feel that they have deficiencies in mathematics should take this class in preparation for further studies in mathematics. The course is designed to prepare students for all of the pre-calculus courses.
All the remaining mathematics courses satisfy the core mathematics requirement. The minimum requirement for all these courses is completion of high school geometry and second year high school algebra; knowledge of trigonometry is a requirement for MATH 1610 Calculus I.
MATH 1100 Finite Mathematics and Applications (3 credit hours) is designed for students who do not plan to take any further courses in mathematics. It is not a prerequisite for any other mathematics course.
MATH 1120 Pre-Calculus Algebra (3 credit hours) covers the prerequisite material for MATH 1130 and 1680.
MATH 1130 Pre-Calculus Trigonometry (3 credit hours) covers trigonometry, this material is necessary for calculus 1610 (as well as 1617 Honors Calculus and 1710 Calculus for engineering and science programs). Students who plan to take calculus 1610 and who have not had trigonometry in high school will need this material.
MATH 1150 Pre-Calculus Algebra and Trigonometry (4 credit hours) covers the material from 1120 and 1130 at a faster pace.
MATH 1610 Calculus 1 is the first course of the calculus sequence that is designed for students in engineering and science programs. MATH 1617 is the honors version of the course. Knowledge of the material in MATH 1130 or 1150 is prerequisite for this class.
MATH 1710 is calculus for engineering and science students and begins with the concept of vectors and uses examples from the sciences and engineering; Knowledge of the material in MATH 1130 or 1150 is prerequisite for this class.
MATH 1680 Calculus with Business Applications 1 is the first calculus course designed for business students. Trigonometry is not required for this course but MATH 1680 cannot be used as prerequisite for MATH 1620 Calculus 2; the material in MATH 1120 is prerequisite for this class.
VII. CORE Mathematics Requirement by College and Major
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Important Contacts
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
College of Sciences and Mathematics
221 Parker Hall
Auburn, Alabama 36849-5310
Telephone: 334-844-4290
FAX: 334-844-6555
Last Updated: April 30, 2013
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