Math placement at CUA

How to take the online test


First --- prepare!
You should at least review the mathematics you learned in elementary algebra, and elementary functions (including the trig, exponential and log functions). Practice some of the routine execises. Your skills may have gotten rusty since you last took that those classes, but you will need to know them when you take calculus.

Here are some links to online review resources.

UMB PreCalculus Review

Math preparation (University of Michigan)
(Use the "Math Prep Module" link)

Practice placement test (Texas Tech University)

College algebra review (West Texas A&M University)

Site with links to review sheets (Central Lakes College)

University of Missouri-Columbia site

How to take the tests - PLEASE READ THIS!

Pick a time when you won't be interrupted or distracted. Log on to BlackBoard and link to Math Placement 2008-09.
There will be buttons at the left side of the screen for each part of the test. Just click the part you wish to take, and follow the instructions.

Note: You have to finish each part in one session. However, the two parts may be taken separately, even taken on different days. There is a time-limit for each part of 90 minutes.

Each test has a password. The password for part 1 of the test is: toadfish. The password for part 2 of the test is: thuban.

Important: When you finish each part of the test, click the Submit button at the bottom of the test page.

Blackboard is fussy about a few things:
  • Don't use the back button on your browser.
  • Don't click the "save" button at the bottom of the test page. (Nothing will be saved).
  • Don't leave the test page without finishing the test and clicking the submit button at the bottom.
If somehow you start either part of the test and don't end by clicking the submit button, then BlackBoard has a catch-22 for you: it won't let you resume or retake the test, and at the same time, if you try to see your score for that part, BlackBoard's message to you is that the test is still "in progress". This problem can be fixed but you'll need to contact me (Paul Glenn) to reset BlackBoard for you.

Your next step is to record (or retrieve) you test scores and interpret them correctly. Go back to the main placement page and click on the link "How to use my test score to choose a math course".