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.
- Algebraic operations.
Includes simplifying rational algebraic expressions
factoring, expanding polynomials, and manipulating roots and
exponents.
- Solutions of equations
and inequalities. Includes the solution of linear and
quadratic equations and inequalities, equation systems, and
other algebraic equations.
- Coordinate geometry.
Includes plane geometry, the coordinate plane, straight
lines, conics, sets of points in the plane, and graphs of
algebraic functions.
- Applications and other
algebra topics. Includes complex numbers, series and
sequences, determinants, permutations and combinations,
fractions, and word problems.
- Functions and
trigonometry. Includes polynomial, algebraic,
exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions.
How the Accuplacer Works.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Most students take about one
hour to complete the test.
- No calculators are allowed.
- Exam scores are not recorded
on students' academic records.
- 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.)
- Photo ID and
- 8-digit UNT student ID #
Score Results.
- 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.
-
Exam scores are
not recorded on students' academic records.
Tips for Taking
ACCUPLACER:
- 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.
- Students will be able to
concentrate better on the test if plenty of rest and proper
nutrition are obtained prior to the test.
- Careful attention should be
paid to directions with emphasis on understanding the
directions before the test is begun.
- 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:
- a grade report, or transcript, or printout reflecting
the
transfer prerequisite course, or
- 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
| Advisor |
Students Advised |
E-mail |
Phone |
Office |
Office Hours |
| Marc Grether |
All students not yet enrolled in or with questions about courses BELOW Math 1710
before August 1. |
grether@unt.edu |
565-3531 |
GAB 443 |
May 12-July 31 |
| William Cherry |
All
students after June 7.
|
wcherry@unt.edu |
565-4303 |
GAB 405 |
June 7-August 22 |
| John Quintanilla |
Before June 15: Math majors, minors and actuarial certificate students.
After June 15: actuarial certificate students and
math majors, particularly those interested in teacher
certification. |
jquintanilla@unt.edu |
565-4043 |
GAB 428 |
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
rhsears unt.edu or by
phone at (940) 565-4045.

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