FOR ALL THE 100 LEVEL MATH COURSES THAT REQUIRE A PLACEMENT TEST, YOU MUST PASS THE TEST BEFORE YOU CAN ENROLL IN THE COURSE.
NOTE: You must know your G Number before you can take the Math Placement Test.
Don't see your question addressed? Call 703.993.1460 or send an e-mail to Catherine Sausville at csausvil@gmu.edu
What is the Math Placement Test?
The Math Placement Test determines readiness for one of seven GMU courses. Advanced non-calculus math courses MATH 110, MATH 111, MATH 112 and MATH 125; the calculus courses MATH 108 (business calculus) and MATH 113 (more advanced calculus); and CS 112. The test covers four different areas of math: pre-algebra, algebra, college algebra, trigonometry. In the interest of time, not all students are given questions from all areas. When you begin the test, you will be asked which math course you are trying to test into. Your answer will determine what kinds of questions you will be given. Students who want to take Math 110 or 111 will be given questions in the pre-algebra area only. Students who want MATH 108, MATH 112 or MATH 125 will be given questions in the algebra area only. Students who want MATH 113 or CS 112 will be given questions in the algebra, college algebra, and trigonometry areas.
You do not register to take the math placement test. Just show up during the times
offered and bring your photo ID. We will not accept cracked or faded ID's.
Please arrive 30 minutes before the testing session is over. The tests are timed, with different times for different sections.
If you are taking the Math 113 test, please arrive 1 hour before the testing session is over.
Students have 2 chances per section per registration period to take the test.
"Incoming students are not permitted to take the test at these dates. Information will be sent for incoming students"
LOCATION: PLANETARY HALL, ROOM 2 (BASEMENT FLOOR)
Summer 2013 Placement Test Dates
| Monday, May 20 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm |
| Tuesday, May 28 | 2:30pm - 4:30pm |
| Friday, May 31 | 10:00am - 12:00pm |
FOR ALL THE 100 LEVEL MATH COURSES THAT REQUIRE A PLACEMENT TEST, YOU MUST PASS THE TEST BEFORE YOU CAN ENROLL IN THE COURSE.
What Should I Bring With Me to the Test?
Bring a picture ID. We will not accept cracked or faded ID's.
Students without proper identification will not be permitted into the testing location.
Bring pencil or pen.
Math 113 test takers - please arrive as close to the start time as possible
Calculators are not allowed.
Please know which course you are testing into.
GMU Net ID and G Numbers will be used to identify students when they enter information into the test program. You must have your G Number.
Incoming students will have a chance to take the Math Placement test during orientation.
Who is Exempt From the Math Placement Test?
You do not have to take the math placement test if you have met the university quantitative reasoning requirement and you do not take any additional math courses. You have met the requirement if you:
Receive a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB exam. You will receive 4 credits for MATH 113. (If you wish to take more math, you may enroll directly in MATH 114.)
Receive a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus BC exam. You will receive 8 credits for MATH 113 and 114.
Receive transfer credit for a math course you took at another institution. (READ NOTE BELOW);
Successfully complete NCLC 110 and NCLC 120 in New Century College; (READ NOTE BELOW).Successfully complete HNRS 125 in the Honors Program in General Education;
Note: Even if you have met the university quantitative reasoning requirement, you do have to take the Math Placement Test if you plan to take additional math courses such as MATH 105, 108, 112, 113, or 125. The Placement Test is necessary to determine your readiness for the course.
Which Math Course Should I Take?
If you are undecided about your major, but have good math skills and are interested in taking math, science, and computer science courses, you are encouraged to take the math placement test for calculus, MATH 113.
Other students are advised to take the placement test for MATH 110, 111. Your scores will indicate your readiness for these courses. Students are urged to consult with an academic advisor to help decide which math course would be best for them.
COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
|
Health Science; Nursing (BSN) |
STAT 250 |
Social Work |
Math 106 or higher |
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES |
|
Administration of Justice |
Math 108, 110, 111, 113 or 125, STAT 250 |
Anthropology |
Math 106, 110, 111 or 113 |
Art History |
Math 106, 110, 111 or 113 |
Communication |
Math 106, 108, 110, 111, 113 or 125 |
Economics (BA) |
Math 108 |
Economics (BS) |
Math 113 |
English |
Math 106, 108, 110, 111, 113 or 125 |
Government and International Politics |
Math 106, 110, 111 or 113 |
History |
Math 106 |
Individualized Study |
Math 106 |
Modern and Classical Languages |
Math 106, 110, 111, or 113 |
| Neuroscience (BS) | Math 113 |
Philosophy |
Math 106, 110, 111 or 113 |
Psychology (BA) |
Math 106 or 110 |
Psychology (BS) |
Non-Calculus path: Math 110, 111 or STAT 250 |
Public Administration |
Math 106, 110, 111, 113 |
Religious Studies |
Math 106, 108, 110, 111, 113, 115, 125 |
Russian Studies |
Math 106, 110, 111 or 113 |
Sociology |
Math 106, 110, 111 or 113 |
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE |
|
Astronomy |
Math 113 |
Biology (BA) |
Math 108, 111, or 113 |
Biology (BS) |
Math 111 or 113 |
Chemistry |
Math 113 |
Earth Science (BA) |
Math 110, 111 or 113 |
Earth Science (BS) |
Math 113 |
Geography (BA) |
Math 106, 110, 111 or 113 |
Geography (BS) |
Math 113 |
Geology |
Math 110, 111 or 113 |
Mathematics |
Math 113 |
Medical Technology |
Math 108, 111 or 113 |
Physics |
Math 113 |
COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS |
|
Art Studio; Art & Visual Technology; Dance; Theater |
Basic math skills: Math 106 |
Music |
Math 106, 110, 111 or 113 |
INSTITUTE FOR CONFLICT ANALYSIS AND RESOLUTION |
|
Conflict Analysis and Resolution |
Math 106 or STAT 250 |
NEW CENTURY COLLEGE |
|
Integrative Studies |
None for non-transferring freshman |
Interdisciplinary Studies |
Math 106 (higher levels may be needed for certain concentrations) |
SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT |
|
ALL MAJORS |
Math 108 |
SCHOOL OF RECREATION, HEALTH & TOURISM |
|
Athletic Training (BS); HFRR (BS) |
Stat 250 |
Physical Education (BSED) |
Math 106 |
VOLGENAU SCHOOL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING |
|
Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Syste ms Engineering, Civil and Infrastructure, Undeclared IT&E |
Math 113 |
Information Technology (BS) |
Math 108 |
No. The purpose of the Math Placement Test is to determine if you are prepared to take a particular course. You cannot use it to get credit or a waiver for any course.
Ensure what math course you need to take. For Math 104 and Math 105, see special comments. Then...
Course |
Score Needed |
Options without that score: |
||
Math 106 |
The placement test is not required for Math 106 classes. |
|||
Math 110 and 111 |
Basic-Algebra: |
Take the Basic Math Program offered through the mathematics learning center. Enroll in Math 110 or 111 upon successful completion. |
||
Math 108, |
Algebra I: |
Take the Algebra Math Program offered through the mathematics learning center. Enroll in Math 108, 112 or 125 upon successful completion. |
||
Math 113 |
Algebra I: 8 or more & & |
Less than 8 on Algebra I: Take the Algebra Math Program offered through the mathematics learning center. Enroll in Math 105. Then enroll in Math 113 after achieving a grade of C or better in Math 105. More than 7 in Algebra I, but did not pass Algebra II nor Transcendentals: Take Math 105, then after achieving a grade of C or better, you then would enroll in Math 113. Noer than 7 in Algebra I and more than 6 in Algebra II but do not pass Transcendentals: Take Math 104, then after achieving a garde of C or better, you could enroll in Math 113. |
||
Math 105 |
Algebra I: 8 or more |
Take the Algebra Math Program offered through the mathematics learning center. Enroll in Math 105 upon successful completion. |
||
Math 104 |
Algebra I: 8 or more & |
Less than 8 in Algebra I: Take the Algebra Math Program offered through the mathematics learning center. Enroll in Math 105. Then enroll in Math 113 after achieving a grade of C or better in Math 105. Less than 7 in Algebra II: Take Math 105, then after achieving a grade of C or better, you then would enroll in Math 113. More than 7 in Algebra I, 7 or more in Algebra II, but did not pass the Transcendentals: Take Math 104, then after achieving a grade of C or better, you then would enroll in Math 113. |
||
Policies for the Math Placement Test
Students must present a current photo ID in order to take the test and know their G Number.
Paper and pencil can be used.
No calculators are allowed.
Students may only take the test two times per registration period.
Students who wish to retake the test are advised to wait at least one week so that they can sufficiently study the appropriate material.
The score on the placement test will be valid for the following two semesters, not counting the summer.
"A Guide to the Placement Test" is available in the Johnson Center Bookstore. It has sample problems, solutions and review of the material on the placement test. To order "A Guide to the Placement Test" online, at the web page http://gmu.bncollege.com go to BUY YOUR TEXTBOOKS ONLINE. Then select the Term, select MATH for department, PLACEMENT for course, and TEST BKLT for section.
Having trouble passing the Math Placement Test? Check out Preparing for the Math Placement Test,
or take a self-paced tutorial in Basic Math or Algebra at the Math Learning Center.
Comments on Math 104 and Math 105
If it is your aim to take Math 113, but you wish to take Math 104 or Math 105 first, you must still take the Math 113 placement test. If you score 8 or above in the Algebra I section but are unable to pass the Algebra II section, you will be allowed to take Math 105. If you score 8 or above in the Algebra I and 7 or more on the Algebra II, but are unable to pass the Transcendentals section, you will be allowed to take Math 104.
If you do not score well enough on the Algebra I section, you may either study the appropriate material and take the placement test again or you may take the Algebra Program offered through the Mathematics Learning Center.
If it is your aim to take Math 108, you should not take Math 105 since this course will cover many advanced topics that you will not need for MATH 108.