Placement in mathematics courses.
Information for all students
Summary of placement guidelines for mathematics pdf file. Placement scores for the mathematics placement exams pdf file.
Which exam should I take?
Students with a Math ACT of 23 and above should take the Calculus Placement Exam to determine if they are ready to take MA 123 or MA 113. Students with a Math ACT in the range 19-22 should take the Algebra Placement Exam to determine if they are ready to take MA 111, MA 109 or MA 110. More information about the Algebra and Calculus Placement Exams may be found below.
Students with a Math ACT of 18 or below will take the Compass exam. Students in this category should contact their advisor in the Academic Readiness Program for information about the Compass exam. The Compass exam may be used to place into MA 111, Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics.
Where can I take a practice test?
Students may take a practice exam by visiting www.mathclass.org and selecting the advanced exam practice test. These exams are similar, but not identical to the placement tests we use for our courses.
May I use a calculator on the placement examination?
The placement examinations do not require the use of a calculator. Students are permitted to use a calculator on the examination. We will follow the same calculator policy used for the ACT examination. See ACT Calculator policy for more information. Students may not use a calculator that is capable of symbolic manipulation during the placement examination. Typical examples of calculators that can carry out symbolic manipulations include the TI-89, TI-92, HP 40, HP 48, HP 49 and HP 50. Students may not use calculators in PDA's, cell-phones or laptop computers. We will not be able to provide calculators for the placement examination. Students who wish to use a calculator must bring one with them.
Information for students entering the University
Where can I take the placement examination?
All students will have the opportunity to take a placement examination at their advising conference. Students with an ACT of 26 and below must take the placement examination. We encourage all students who will take a mathematics course to take a placement examination. The College of Engineering would like all of their entering students to take the placement examination.
Students in the Academic Readiness Program should contact their advisor for information about the Compass test.
Information for students who are enrolled at UK
Where can I take the placement examination?
Students may take the placement examination in the Study. Call +1 859 257-1356 or visit the Study's web page for more information about the Study.
Why should I take the placement examination?
Students who do not meet the pre-requisites for a mathematics course may take a placement examination in order to determine if they can register for an introductory mathematics course such as MA 109, 110, 111, 112, 113 or 123.
Transfer students who do not have an ACT or SAT score or the necessary pre-requisite course in their record will need to take a placement examination in order obtain entry to a mathematics course.
Students who meet our ACT or SAT pre-requisites for a course, but have not taken a mathematics course in the past year should consider taking the placement examination. A current placement score may provide a better guide to placement than an ACT score from several years ago.