Math Placement Testing Info

Mathematics Placement Testing Information

All new matriculated students will take the Elementary Algebra exam. If students perform well enough on this exam, you will automatically be administered the College-Level Math exam. Each test is untimed so that you can give each question as much thought as you wish. You can change your answer to a particular question before moving on to the next question, but you cannot leave a question out or come back to it later to change your answer. If you do not know the answer to a question, try to eliminate one or more of the choices, and then pick from the remaining choices. Because the exams work this way, you must answer every question when it is first given.

Exam Topics

Elementary Algebra

This 12-question test measures students' ability to solve problems that involve fundamental algebraic concepts; its questions are divided into three types:

  • The first type involves operations with integers and rational numbers, and includes computation with integers and negative rationals, the use of absolute values, and ordering.

  • A second type involves operations with algebraic expressions using evaluation of simple formulas and expressions, and adding and subtracting monomials and polynomials. Questions involve multiplying and dividing monomials and polynomials, the evaluation of positive rational roots and exponents, simplifying algebraic fractions, and factoring.

  • The third type of question involves the solution of equations, inequalities, word problems. solving linear equations and inequalities, the solution of quadratic equations by factoring, solving verbal problems presented in an algebraic context, including geometric reasoning and graphing, and the translation of written phrases into algebraic expressions.

College-Level Math

This 20-question test assesses from intermediate algebra through pre-calculus; it includes the following types of questions:

  • 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 ask about complex numbers, series and sequences, determinants, permutations and combinations, fractions, and word problems.

  • The last category, functions and trigonometry, presents questions about polynomials, algebraic, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions.

Resources and Test Preparation

BSU offers official CollegeBoard sample questions for all ACCUPLACER exams. In addition, Math Services in the Academic Achievement Center provides an online diagnostic practice test for the Elementary Algebra exam; they also provide free, drop-in math tutoring for all BSU students. Click on the links below to access a particular resource:

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Last Modified: June 11, 2013