Mathematical Sciences Testing Center | GMU College of Science (2024)

Hours of Operation - Exploratory Hall, room 4107

Summer Semester Hours - May 13 - August 25

No appointment needed. Walk in only.

Check the times of closures above before walking-in for your placement test.

The testing center is sometimes reserved for exams.

Monday9:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday9:00am - 9:00pm
WednesdayCLOSED
Thursday9:00am - 9:00pm
Friday9:00am - 9:00pm
SaturdayCLOSED
SundayCLOSED

Notes:

  • The test time limit is 2.5 hours. Please arrive early enough to finish the test and leave the center before the end of the testing time window.Students who arrive within 1 hour of closing will not be permitted to start the placement test. Regardless of if you are finished, your test needs to be submitted when the testing center closes. Please plan accordingly.

Math Placement Testing

Theplacement test is required for:

  • Math 105,Math 108, Math 113, Math 123, and Math 125

Studentswillneed to pass the placement test before enrolling in the course.

If students have trouble with adding a math courseor feel that they meet the prereqs through college credit, please submit aCourse override request.

Students having difficulty registering for non-Math courses (such as CS 112) will need to contact the department that offers the course.

General list of topics for the placement test

  • Whole Numbers, Fractions, and Decimals
  • Percents, Proportions, and Geometry
  • Signed Numbers, Linear Equations and Inequalities
  • Lines and Systems of Linear Equations
  • Relations and Functions
  • Integer Exponents and Factoring
  • Quadratic and Polynomial Functions
  • Rational Expressions and Functions
  • Radicals and Rational Exponents
  • Exponentials and Logarithms
  • Trigonometry

Math 008 Final Comprehensive Check

The hours when you can take the final comprehensive check is listed above.

After you pass the final, please submit acourse override requestfor the class you are trying to enroll in.

If you have questions about the Online Algebra Tutorial Program, please send an e-mail to Brent Gorbuttat bgorbutt@gmu.edu.

Important Information about the placement test

  • The test time limit is 2.5 hours buton average students complete the test within 1-1.5 hours.
  • The test contains 30 questions and is adaptive.
  • 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.
  • After your first attempt, you can practice at home using the same account that you used for your test. The placement test software is adaptive and will provide you with all the practice necessary before your nextattempt.
  • The score on the placement test will be valid for three consecutive semesters, including the summer.
  • You may not use your own calculator but the system will provide one when needed.
  • Have your Mason ID ready to be checked before your test. Yourphotocan not be faded. If you don't have your Mason ID, you can use any government ID that has your photo.
  • By taking the test, you agree to the University Honor Code Policy. Any student, who takes the online placement test outside Exploratory 4107 or without the presence of a proctor, will lose one of theattempts and will be sent to the Academic Integrity Office for an Honor Code violation.
  • Students who wish to retake the test are advised to wait at least one week so that they can sufficiently study the appropriate material.
  • If you will need academic accommodations for the Math Placement Test, please contactDisability Services atods@gmu.eduor703-993-2474.

Placement Test Remediation (after your first attempt):

Notes:

  • Click on the link above to access the placement test practiceonly afteryou have taken your first attempt.
  • If this is your first time clicking on that link, you need to be in Exploratory 4107 ready to take your first attempt.All Placement Test attempts are password protected and must be taken in a proctored environment.
  • The remediation after the first attempt is not password-protected. You can practiceun-proctoredoutside the testing center.

The required "active hours in the prep and learning modules" before each attempt are:

- 5 hours before the second attempt;

- 10 hours before the third attempt;

- 15 hours before the fourth attempt.

Please be advised that these are theminimumrequired number of hours of remediation between attempts. If your scores are low, we strongly advise increasing the number of hours that you spend in remediation. Spending time on remediation does not guarantee that you will improve your test scores, but there is a correlation between more time spent in remediation and higher test scores.

You can change your Prep and Learning Module:

If you have FULLY completed your assigned ALEKS Prep and Learning module and would like to practice a higher level module with more topics before your next attempt, please call ALEKS support at 800-258-2374.

Note that:

  • You can only move to the next module afterfully completingyour currently assigned module.
  • You cannot skip modules.
  • You are not able to revert back: once you are moved to a higher module, you will not be able to access your previous module questions.

Math Placement Test Resources

If you have questions, send an e-mail to Testing Center Director Dr. Sarah Khankanat skhankan@gmu.edu.

If you have questions about the Online Algebra Tutorial Program, please send an e-mail to Tutoring Center Director Dr.Brent Gorbuttat bgorbutt@gmu.edu.

If you are an incoming freshman, and you are interested in a summer Math Boot Camp focused on scoring well on the math placement test, visit the following page: STEM Summer Camps.

  • Online Algebra Tutorial Program
  • Course Registration Override Request
  • STEM Summer Camps
  • Programs with a Calculus Requirement

Scores Needed for Courses

ScoreCourse
0 - 54Math 008 (self-paced Algebra course)
55 - 64Math 105 Precalculus
55 - 100Math 108 Business Calculus
65 - 100Math 123 Calculus I with Precalculus (part A)
65 - 100Math 125 Discrete Mathematics
80 - 100Math 113 Calculus I
Mathematical Sciences Testing Center | GMU College of Science (2024)

FAQs

How do I pass my math placement test? ›

The best way to prepare for a placement test is to answer questions that are similar to the ones on the real test. Check to see if your college website has a practice test that you can print out and answer. Or, search online for a practice math placement test.

What is the appropriate score on the college level mathematics placement test? ›

A score of 30 or higher reflects that a student is adequately prepared for college-level mathematics. Higher level scores representative an adequate preparedness for higher level courses. Below is a rough chart indicating the courses various programs require based on your ALEKS score.

Is the George Mason math placement test hard? ›

Is the math on the George Mason University placement test hard? The ALEKS math placement test at George Mason University isn't hard if you receive the necessary individualized instruction when preparing for the test. With a study guide that has a math tutor built into the program, you'll get all the help you need.

How long is the math placement test in UMD? ›

How to Prepare for the Exam. The Mathematics Placement Exam consist of 67 questions covering four main areas: arithmetic, algebra I, algebra II, and trigonometry.

Is it OK to fail a placement test? ›

You can't fail a placement test for college. If you receive a low score, you'll be placed in developmental classes for that subject to help increase your knowledge of the topic before you advance to more rigorous courses.

What happens if you do bad on a college math placement test? ›

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.

How hard is a college math placement test? ›

Is a Math Placement Test Hard? College math placement tests are not certainly difficult. These examinations basically cover Algebra which you studied in high school, so whether or not the math placement test is hard relies on your high school performance.

How do you get a high score on a college placement test? ›

Take the time to go over the subject you're going to be tested on. You can look over notes you have from previous courses or any textbooks you may still have that are related to the subject. Apply the same studying routine that you would use for any other test: Review important terms.

What does a college math placement test look like? ›

You can expect the Basic Math Placement Test to cover arithmetic and pre-algebra skills. An Algebra Test is generally given as a separate portion of the basic test. Some incoming students will be given an Advanced Mathematics Placement Test, which includes college algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

What is the hardest university math class? ›

1. Real Analysis: This is a rigorous course that focuses on the foundations of real numbers, limits, continuity, differentiation, and integration. It's known for its theoretical, proof-based approach and can be a paradigm shift for students used to computation-heavy math courses.

What is the lowest GPA for GMU? ›

a minimum cumulative 2.00 GPA. Twelve (12) transferable credits from a Mason-recognized college or university. Good academic standing at previous institutions.

What is the hardest undergraduate math test? ›

The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition is the preeminent mathematics competition for undergraduate college… The questions in the competition require some great levels of cleverness and critical thinking.

What is the hardest math at UMD? ›

Roughly, the hardest math undergraduate courses are 410, 411, 403 and 405. These are serious proof classes. Usually the first of these taken is 410. Except for a really strong student, the complementary math load should be light for the first hard class, and perhaps later.

What is a good score on a college math placement test? ›

2022 Math Test Scores to Placement Level Conversion*
Aleks Placement Test ScoreACT-MathSAT-Math PLUS >= 3.0 HS GPA
61–6728–31590-620 + 3.0 HS GPA
68–75––––
76–8632–33630-670 + 3.0 HS GPA
87–10034–36680 or higher + 3.0 HS GPA
4 more rows

Can you take the math placement test twice? ›

Once a student has completed Math 3, the student will then be permitted to enroll in either Math 6A or Math 4, depending on the student's major. If a student places into Math 3 on their first proctored attempt, we strongly encourage the student to take a second proctored attempt in order to improve their placement.

How hard is a math placement test? ›

Is a Math Placement Test Hard? College math placement tests are not certainly difficult. These examinations basically cover Algebra which you studied in high school, so whether or not the math placement test is hard relies on your high school performance.

How do I prepare for math placement? ›

You should study the following topics to make sure that your college math placement test prep covers everything you need to know.
  1. Algebraic Expressions.
  2. Equations and Inequalities.
  3. Word Problems.
  4. Graphing and Functions.
  5. Systems of Equations.
  6. Polynomials.
  7. Factoring.
  8. Radicals.

How do you ace a placement test? ›

Take the time to go over the subject you're going to be tested on. You can look over notes you have from previous courses or any textbooks you may still have that are related to the subject. Apply the same studying routine that you would use for any other test: Review important terms.

Should I study for my college math placement test? ›

That said, avoid underestimating the importance of the math placement tests. So, study for them the same way you'd study for any other test because they'll determine which courses you'll take when you start college.

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