Montclair State University offers two placement tests for students. Students in the College of Science and Math are required to take the Precalculus Test while students from other colleges may be required to take the Algebra or Precalculus tests based on their program requirements. In case of any doubts, please check with your college advisors and/or major department chairperson.
Who is Exempt from MSU’s MATH 111 (Precalculus) Course?
Students need NOT take precalculus at MSU provided,
- They have taken Calculus 1 or higher in high school. (Statistics/AP Statistics does not count towards an exemption.)
- They have completed a College Level Precalculus course at another institution.
- They have taken AP Precalculus in high school and scored a 4 or 5.
All other students MUST take precalculus and the placement test.
Purpose and Goal of the Placement Survey
This placement survey is meant to evaluate proficiencies in course objectives in Math 111 (Precalculus). The goal of the placement survey is to give you, the student, an opportunity to experience the expectations and objectives of a college math course, in a relatively consequence-free environment. The hope in taking this survey is to give you and your advisor a basis for deciding which freshman math course will support you best. You may use a calculator and notes, and you can take this assessment from home.
Academic Advisors in the CSAM Student Center create the schedules for new incoming students. Information from the Math Placement survey will be needed in order to create your schedule. Please take the test as soon as possible. The test must be taken prior to course registration for the upcoming semester.
How Topics were Chosen and What’s Covered
The topics and objectives covered in the placement survey were chosen to match the overarching course objectives covered in Math 111 Precalculus offered at MSU. Every question which appears on the survey is an example of a question that has previously appeared on a quiz or exam in Math 111.
Important Note: The placement survey consists of 30 prior exam questions from the precalculus modules covered at MSU, and you will have 80 minutes to complete the placement survey. Once the timer is started, it does not stop counting down, even if the placement survey is closed. You have only one attempt to complete the test so please only start the test when you have sufficient time to complete it.
The questions are meant to show relationships and functions in a variety of common formats including: word problems, context, graphs, tables, and formulas.
Modules Covered
- Algebra – Solving equations, factoring, reading graphs and tables, rational functions.
- Module 2 – Constant and Average Rate of Change
- Module 3 – Functions
- Module 4 – Exponential functions and Logarithms
- Module 5 – Concavity, Graph Transformations, and End Behavior of Polynomial Functions
- Module 6 – Rational Functions
- Module 7 – Trigonometry
How To Prepare for the Test
If you have taken a precalculus course in high school (or equivalent), we strongly recommend that you review the materials before attempting the test. Here are some helpful resources:
- OpenStax Precalculus course: Free Precalculus Textbook Available for Download – OpenStax. In addition to reviewing the relevant topics, we also suggest that you try out the end of chapter review questions.
- CollegeBoard AP Precalculus: Course Curriculum and Sample Practice Questions. Although the AP Precalculus curriculum extends beyond the scope of Math 111, the practice assessment found on p. 152, questions #1-16, 20, & 21 provides a meaningful glimpse into the nature of the problems found on the Math 111 placement test.
Scoring and Placement Decisions
Each module is graded separately and the placement decision is based NOT upon the aggregate score, but on how students perform in each of the indicated sections, with particular attention paid to some important topics which are crucial to students’ success in consequent courses.
Important note: Points assigned for this placement exam are used as an administrative code for course assignments. They cannot be converted to a percentage score so please do not ask us for one. Thus, a “low” score does not have any significant meaning regarding performance and/or aptitude, nor does a “high” score. A student who obtains a “low” score is still eligible for placement into Calculus I or the course in which they hope to receive placement. If you have questions regarding your own performance on the placement exam, please reach out directly to your advisor.
| Results of Test | Placement |
| 60% in 4 or more Modules | Math 122- Calculus 1 prerequisite removed |
| 60% in 3 Modules | Math 111 |
| 60% in 1 or 2 Modules | Students must register for Math 111 with a recitation/lab to have more opportunities to cover difficult topics and receive feedback. |
| 60% in 0 Modules | Students must register for Math 111 with longer recitations/labs to have more opportunities to cover difficult topics and receive feedback. |
Take the Math Placement Test
Login to Canvas using your MSU ID and navigate to this link to take the test: https://montclair.instructure.com/courses/145367/assignments/1421362
Purpose and Goal of the Placement Survey
This placement survey is meant to evaluate proficiencies in course objectives in Math 100, College Math for Business and Social Sciences. The goal of the placement survey is to give you, the student, an opportunity to experience the expectations and objectives of a college math course, in a relatively consequence free environment. The hope in taking this survey is to give you and your advisor a basis for deciding which freshman math course will support you best. You may use a calculator and notes, and you can take this assessment from home.
How Topics were Chosen and What’s Covered
The topics and objectives covered in the placement survey were chosen to match the course objectives covered in Math 100 offered at MSU. Every question which appears on the survey is an example of a question that has previously appeared on a quiz or exam in Math 100.
Important Note: The placement survey consists of 20 prior exam questions from the precalculus modules covered at MSU, and you will have 60 minutes to complete the placement survey. Once the timer is started, it does not stop counting down, even if the placement survey is closed. You have only one attempt to complete the test so please only start the test when you have sufficient time to complete it.
Topics Covered
- Linear equations and inequalities
- Graphing
- Systems of Linear Equations
- Factoring
- Quadratic Functions
- Rational Functions
How To Prepare for the Test
If you have taken an algebra course in high school (or equivalent), we strongly recommend that you review the materials before attempting the test. Here are some helpful resources:
- OpenStax Algebra course: Free Algebra Textbook Available for Download – OpenStax. In addition to reviewing the relevant topics, we also suggest that you try out the end of chapter review questions.
- Paul’s Online Notes: College Algebra Notes and Practice Problems. Although this particular algebra curriculum extends beyond the scope of Math 100, the first three sections (Preliminaries, Solving Equations and Inequalities, & Graphing and Functions) provides a highly meaningful glimpse into the nature of the problems found on the Math 100 placement test.
Scoring and Placement Decisions
The results of the test are based on earning a 70% or higher on the placement survey. All questions have the same point value.
| Results of Survey | Placement |
| 70% or higher | Prerequisite for INFO 240 removed |
| Below 70% | Take Math 100 |
Take the Algebra Test
Login to Canvas using your MSU ID and navigate to this link to take the test: https://montclair.instructure.com/courses/156749/assignments/1381391
Questions?
If you have issues with either test, please contact your college advisors or Ms. Eugenia Providence at providencee@montclair.edu.
Disability Resource Center
Montclair State University is committed to assisting students with disabilities in receiving accommodations necessary to make access equitable. Students who may need accommodations based on disability must self-disclose and initiate the request to the Disability Resource Center (DRC). The student is responsible for providing the DRC with documentation of their disability that meets our guidelines (https://www.montclair.edu/disability-resource-center/documentation-guidelines/?) and it will be reviewed. An intake meeting will take place with the student and a DRC counselor to determine reasonable accommodations. Please note that accommodations require time to implement and are not set in place until the counselor has met with the student. For more information, please contact the Disability Resource Center by email: drc@montclair.edu or phone: (973) 655-5431.