Math Placement and Quantitative Literacy Exam

All entering students must take the combined Math Placement and Quantitative Literacy Exam.

The exam is typically administered twice each semester, once at the beginning at the semester and once during the advance registration period mid-way through the semester. Students can register for the exam by contacting Arlene Dende at (607) 274-3107 or via e-mail at adende@ithaca.edu.

Placement Group

Based on the results of the exam, students are initially assigned to one of the four placement groups. This determines where they can enter the mathematics curriculum. Students can move from one group to another as follows:

Group 1 - The student may take any course in the mathematics offerings other than MATH 10000, MATH 13100, MATH 13200, and MATH 18000 provided the course prerequisites are met. Students in Group 1 are encouraged to take courses with Group 1 or Group 2 prerequisites.

Group 2 - The student may take any course that a Group 3 student may take, except MATH 13100, and in addition may take, and is encouraged to take, at least one of MATH 10800, MATH 13200, MATH 14400, and MATH 16100. Completion of MATH 13200 with a C- or better places the student in Group 1.

Group 3 - The student may take MATH 10500, MATH 10600, MATH 10700, MATH 13100, MATH 13500, MATH 15200, and MATH 15500. Completion of MATH 10700 or MATH 13100 with a C- or better places the student in Group 2.

Group 4 - The student must take MATH 10000 Mathematics Fundamentals or MATH 18000 Mathematics Fundamentals with Computers before any other mathematics. Passing MATH 10000 or MATH 18000 with a C- or better places the student in Group 3.

Readiness for Quantitative Literacy

In addition, students are deemed quantitative literacy ready or not based on questions in the exam.  If a student receives a passing score on the quantitative literacy readiness portion of the exam, that student can enroll in Q-designated courses for which they meet the prerequisites.   Quantitative literacy designated courses are part of the Integrative Core Curriculum.  

If students fail the quantitative literacy exam, they must take MATH 10000 (if they are placed in Group 4) or MATH 10001 (for all other group placements).  

Resources

Mathematics Placement Exam Guide

Sample Mathematics Placement Exam

Sample MPE with solutions

Math Placement Instructions - this document describes how to log into Sakai to access the Math Placement Exam.