Prepare for the Math Placement Exam
All students are required to take a Math Placement Exam prior to taking a McNeill Math course. This exam is taken seriously by the program and will be used to place you into a math course. You are required to study and bring written work to the exam. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made for students who fail to adequately study for the exam. Your placement will be based on the results of the exam. See below for Frequently Asked Questions and Math Placement Exam Instructions for specific courses.
Please read this page and FAQs below. If you still have any questions or concerns about the McNeill Math Program or math placement, please contact us.
REVIEW MATERIALS AND INSTRUCTIONS
Click the appropriate link below for Review Materials and Instructions:
My course placement is: Introduction to College Math (ICM)
This link covers material that should be review if you are ready to take ICM. ICM is a math course that prepares you for any core math course. It counts for elective credit towards graduation.
My course placement is: Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematical Skills (Quantitative Reasoning)
These materials should be review for you if you are ready for Quantitative Reasoning (MATH 1012).
My course placement is: Pre-Calculus (College Algebra)
These materials should be review for you if you are ready for the following courses: College Algebra*/Calculus-Bound College Algebra* (MATH 1011) or Pre-Calculus (MATH 1150).
*College Algebra and Pre-calculus courses cover content similar to high school Pre-calculus. College Algebra does not include Trigonometry, Pre-calculus does.
If your placement is Pre-Calculus (College Algebra) OR Quantitative Reasoning, use the Pre-Calculus (College Algebra) link to study. This link covers material for placement into either course (the Pre-Calculus review covers more material than the Quantitative Reasoning Review).
My course placement is: Trigonometry
These materials (algebra content) should be review for you if you are ready for Trigonometry (MATH 1021).
My course placement is: Calculus I
These algebra and trigonometry materials should be review for you if you are ready for Calculus 1 (MATH 1300 or APPM 1350).
If you have placed into Calculus 1 for your initial placement and you believe that you have credit for Calculus 1 via the AP Placement Exam, please contact us.
Note: These materials place you INTO your class. If you want to place OUT of a class, you must pass the higher placement exam. See "What if I Disagree With My Initial Math Placement?" below.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why Do I Have to Take a Placement Exam If I Have an Initial Placement?
Your initial placement is based on either a transcript, conversation, or previous math course taken through our program. The Placement Exam results will ensure the most accurate placement. All students who have not taken a math course through our program are required to take the Placement Exam to keep any McNeill Math course on their academic schedule. Students who do not take the exam will have the math course dropped from their schedule.
Am I Allowed to Use a Calculator on the Placement Exam?
No. None of any kind allowed. You should plan to study without one!
How Long Should I Expect to Spend on Studying?
Expect to spend 3-10 hours preparing for the exam. Plan ahead. No exceptions will be made for being unprepared.
What if the Placement Exam Material Does Not Feel Like a Review?
Placement Exam material should be a review of material you have already mastered. If you find that this material is not a review of mastered material, please contact a McNeill Math Director to discuss options.
What if I Believe My Math Placement is Too High?
If you believe you should be or want to be in a lower math course than your initial placement, you may make a verbal request by contacting us directly.
What if I Disagree With My Initial Math Placement?
If you disagree with your initial math placement and would like to test into a higher course, you are required to prepare for and take the placement exam for BOTH courses. You must also contact us to let us know you plan to take BOTH exams. For example, if you were placed into the Introduction to College Math Course and would like to take College Algebra, you must prepare for, bring review materials completed, and take the placement exams for BOTH courses at orientation.