Placement Test | Prerequisite Verification | Advising for Majors

Undergraduate Advising

Placement Testing

What is the Placement Test?

The UNT Department of Mathematics wants their students to succeed and understands that students do best when they have a suitable background for each course. The purpose of the math placement test is to determine the appropriate first math course for each undergraduate student. The Mathematics Department enforces prerequisites for the courses Math 1100, 1190, 1400, 1650, 1680 and 1350; before enrolling in one of these courses, you may need to pass a placement test.

After a student has taken the placement test and placed into a particular course, the student must successfully complete that course within one year of the test date. If the student doesn't complete the course within one year of the test date, the student must take a new placement test.

Who is required to take a placement test?

EVERY undergraduate student enrolling in a math course must take a placement test unless he or she has:

• Passed UNT'S Math 1010 or 1100 with a minimum grade of C
• Passed a transfer course at the level of UNT's college algebra (or above) with a minimum grade of C

Note on grade duplication. Students enrolling in a math course (that requires prerequisite verification) for which grade duplication is being sought must provide prerequisite verification for the duplicate semester of enrollment. Students do not have automatic entry into course duplication status.

If you need an accommodation due to a disability to fully participate in this program/event, please contact Rita Sears, Department of Mathematics, at 940-565-4045 or email at rhsears@unt.edu.  Please allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.

Accuplacer "College-Level Mathematics" Placement Exam Information

The 20-question Accuplacer mathematics placement examination, "College Level Mathematics,"  is a computerized assessment of mathematical skills.  This test measures skill proficiency from intermediate algebra through pre-calculus.  Students cannot "pass" or "fail" the Accuplacer placement test, but it is very important that students do their very best so that an accurate measure of mathematics academic skills is obtained.

Five categories are covered.

1. Algebraic operations.  Includes simplifying rational algebraic expressions factoring, expanding polynomials, and manipulating roots and exponents.
2. Solutions of equations and inequalities.  Includes the solution of linear and quadratic equations and inequalities, equation systems, and other algebraic equations.
3. Coordinate geometry.  Includes plane geometry, the coordinate plane, straight lines, conics, sets of points in the plane, and graphs of algebraic functions.
4. Applications and other algebra topics.  Includes complex numbers, series and sequences, determinants, permutations and combinations, fractions, and word problems.
5. Functions and trigonometry.  Includes polynomial, algebraic, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions.

How the Accuplacer Works.

1. Although the exam is  taken while sitting at a computer,  no computer skills are needed to take this test.   Either the keyboard or the mouse are used to enter answer to the questions.   Students must enter name, UNT 8-digit ID, and answer some background questions before proceeding with the test.  A message will display when the actual test is about to start.
2. The computerized exam is "adaptive":  it tests students up to each student's highest skill level, so any one student may see only some of these topics on his/her exam, depending on his/her skills.  This means that the computer automatically determines which questions are presented based on whether or not the correct answer to the previous question was selected.  This technique "zeroes-in" on just the right questions to ask without being too easy or too difficult.  The Accuplacer exam is able to assess academic skills using fewer questions than traditionally presented on a paper and pencil test.  The Accuplacer test score will be used to determine which mathematics course is most appropriate for the student.
3. The questions appear one at a time on the computer screen.  The space bar or mouse are used to select the desired answer.  It is possible to change an answer to a particular question before moving on to the next question, but it is *not* possible to leave a question out or come back to it later.  When the question is completed and the answer verified, a new screen will appear with the next question.   Once the answer has been verified (selected and re-confirmed), it is not possible to return to that question.
4. Most students take about one hour to complete the test.
5. No calculators are allowed. 
6. Exam scores are not recorded on students' academic records.
7. Students may take the Accuplacer test no more than twice for the targeted semester of enrollment.

   What to Take with You to the Tests.  (Note that calculators are not allowed.)

1. Photo ID and
2. 8-digit UNT student ID #

Score Results. 

1. Students will receive the results of their placement test upon completion called "Student Report."  This form is to be retained for presentation on the first day of class to the instructor of the course into which the student placed.

2. Exam scores are not recorded on students' academic records.

1. Relax! ACCUPLACER was designed to assist in students' success in college. The Accuplacer score helps students determine which courses are most appropriate for the current level of knowledge and skills. Once academic strengths and needs are identified, assistance with improvement of underdeveloped skills can be accessed  before they can interfere with learning.
2. Students will be able to concentrate better on the test if plenty of rest and proper nutrition are obtained prior to the test. 
3. Careful attention should be paid to directions with emphasis on understanding the directions  before the test is begun.
4. Re-read point #3 under "How the Accuplacer Works"--!

 Exam Preparation Resources
(Note:  These links are offered for reference only.
The listings neither represent nor are sponsored by the
UNT Department of Mathematics.)

http://www.huntington.edu/math/Accuplacer/index.htm:  This site is very beneficial for preparing you to place into College Algebra.  However, the Accuplacer College Level Math exam has other aspects of math.  If you need to place into a course above College Algebra, then the sites below will better help you prepare for the exam.

A preview of the Accuplacer computerized exam may be found at :

 http://cpts.accuplacer.com/docs/StudentGuide.html#_Toc19497949  Access to these websites is free, which may be of use in your preparations.

http://www.mymathtest.com.   Mymathtest gives sample tests and provides a study plan based on your results.

911 math.  http://www.math911.com/     911 math is a program that students are able to download and try free for 30 days.  It has wonderful lessons, quizzes, and examples for all portions of the test (and beyond).  No game like graphics or animation--good review for all ages.

http://www.sosmath.com/ - This site reviews from fractions to calculus, and offers interactive quizzes to help you on your way.  You can visit review pages and then test your knowledge in the quiz/exam base later.

Exercises for math readiness.   http://math.usask.ca/emr/menu.html  Provides a quick review of topics, followed by two pages of exercises.  Contains drills for basic arithmetic and elementary algebra.

Felicia's Algebra Tutorial.  http://algebra.freeservers.com/springridge1.html   Provides a look at arithmetic refreshers, order of operations, etc.  Includes a lesson for each subject, as well as a quiz when you finish.  Good for preparation for the arithmetic portion of the exam. 

Algebra Help Page.  http://www.homestead.com/stroh/algebrahelp.html   For each topic, the author of this site has linked to lessons, tutorials, and worksheets across the web. 

Understanding Algebra.   http://www.jamesbrennan.org/algebra/  James Brennan wrote an algebra book and placed it online.  It is simple to understand, and covers topics well.  No quizzes or worksheets available. 

Test Prep Review.     http://www.testprepreview.com/accuplacer_practice.htm   Self-assessment modules are included.

  When and Where can I take the placement test?

Tests are administered on a walk-in basis, Mon-Fri between 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, in the Undergraduate Advising and Testing Center (GAB 443), and also at prescheduled orientation sessions. There is no charge for the placement test.

Why do I have to take a placement test?

You need to take a placement test to satisfy prerequisite verification.

Prerequisite Verification

Many math courses require prerequisite verification. Students must meet the requisite before they can enroll into a specific math course.

• Permission to enroll is given immediately once prerequisite is verified.  See Rita Sears in the Dept. of Mathematics (GAB 443) any time during regular office hours (Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm) by bringing:

1. a grade report, or transcript, or printout reflecting the transfer prerequisite course, or
2. CLEP report showing credit for College Algebra.

UNT MATH COURSES REQUIRING PREREQUISITE VERIFICATION

The Mathematics Department enforces prerequisites for the courses Math 1100, 1190, 1400, 1650, 1680 and 1350.

Students must pass MATH 1010 (with a C or better) or receive permission from the UNT Math Dept before taking:

• 1100, College Algebra (3): Remedial courses from any other institution will require a placement test. A passing TASP math score does not exempt a student from this requirement.

Students must pass MATH 1100 (with a C or better) or receive permission from the UNT Math Dept before taking:

• 1190, Business Calculus (3): Differential and integral calculus with emphasis on applications.
   
• 1400, College Math with Calculus (3): An applied mathematics course for non-science students.
   
• 1650, Pre-Calculus (5): Preparation course for calculus.
   
• 1680, Elementary Probability and Statistics (3): Introductory course for students of any field on application of statistical inference.
   
• 1350, Structure and Analysis of the Number System (3): Enrollment in MATH 1350 is limited to students requiring course for teacher certification except for those seeking secondary certification.

Direct your questions to:

Undergraduate Advising
E-mail: rhsears@unt.edu
Phone: 940/565-4045 or
Fax: 940/565-4805
P.O. Box 311430, Denton, TX 76203-4320
Physical site: GAB 443, Mulberry at Avenue B

Advising for Majors

If you are not a math major and you have questions about what math course to take next, please refer to Enrolling in your 1st math class.

Undergraduate

If you are an undergraduate math major/minor or a prospective major/minor and you have questions related to advising (class schedules, degree requirements, etc.), please contact one of the Undergraduate Advisors:

Summer 2008

Graduate

If you are a graduate math major and you have questions related to advising, please contact the Graduate Advisor, Douglas Brozovic, by email at brozovic@unt.edu or by phone at (940) 565-4304.

If you are unable to reach the appropriate advisor, please contact Rita Sears in GAB 443 by email at rhsearsunt.edu or by phone at (940) 565-4045.