Chapman University Mathematics Placement Tests

The purpose of the Mathematics Placement Tests is to make sure that incoming freshman and transfer students are prepared to take a Quantitative Inquiry Mathematics or Computer Science course at Chapman University. Our Math/CS advisors will consider your previous mathematics courses in helping you choose the right course. If you have already attended but did not pass an Intermediate Algebra (Math 098 or 099) or a Pre-Calculus (Math 104) course at Chapman University, you are not permitted to take these Placement Tests to pass the course.

Students who score at least 650 on the Quantitative portion of the SAT, or who score at least 29 on the Mathematics portion of the ACT, may enroll directly in a Quantitative Inquiry Mathematics or Computer Science course (CPSC 230, MATH 110, MATH 203, MATH 208, MATH 250 or MATH 260).

Students who get a score of 3 on the Advanced Placement Calculus AB Exam may enroll in MATH 110 without having to take the MATH 104 prerequisite.

Students who get a score of 3 on the Advanced Placement Statistics Exam may enroll in MATH 203 without having to take the MATH 104 prerequisite.

Students who get a score of 3 on the Advanced Placement Computer Science Exam may enroll in CPSC 230 without having to take the MATH 104 prerequisite.

If you have questions, please contact Michael Fahy, Chair, Mathematics and Computer Science, fahy@chapman.edu

All other students should take a Mathematics Placement Test. We offer two online tests: one to place into MATH 99: Intermediate Algebra or MATH 104: Pre-Calculus; the other to place into a Quantitative Inquiry Mathematics or Computer Science course. Students who do not qualify to enroll in a Quantitative Inquiry Mathematics or Computer Science course and who do not take a Mathematics Placement Test will be placed into MATH 98: Elementary Algebra.

Contact Prof. Michael Fahy (fahy@chapman.edu) with a brief description of your mathematics background, if you believe you should be placed directly in a higher level Math/CS course.

Before taking the test

The Math Placement Tests are given online using the WeBWorK system. WeBWorK is an online system for delivering individualized mathematics problems over the web. For more on the WeBWorK Project, read the WeBWorK Home Page. You will have the opportunity to solve practice problems in WeBWorK to become familiar with this system before taking the actual Placement Test. For example, to type "the square root of 2" you would type "sqrt(2)". For more information on typing mathematics in WeBWorK, please see WeBWorK Student Guide

You are encouraged to review the appropriate material (from your high school/college books and notes) at least a couple of days before attempting the test. Topics include, but not restricted to the following

Algebra: numeric and symbolic computations, quadratic equations, properties of logarithms and exponentials, interval notation, operations with polynomials and rational expressions, radicals, linear systems, completions of the square, inequalities, graphs of lines and parabolas, etc.
Pre-Calculus: functions, equations and inequalities, interval notation, roots of polynomials, rational expressions, long division, domain and range of functions, graphing functions, equation of circles, linear and quadratic functions, composition of functions, linear systems, logarithmic and expoenetial functions, trigonometry, etc.

You are strongly encouraged to solve the exercises in the "Practice Set" set before taking the test. The "Practice Set" is not timed and has unlimited number of tries for each problem. Become familiar with WeBWorK and how answers are to be typed. To access a Practice Set you must click on the following link, and login as follows: use your Chapman e-mail user name (e.g. smith100) and password. If that does not work, use your Chapman e-mail user name as your login name and the last 7 digits of your student ID number (e.g. 0123456) as your password. Note: If the last 7 digits of your student ID start with a 0 you have to include the 0, too.

At any time, if you have any WeBWorK related question please send an email to (or stop by in person and visit) Dr. Adrian Vajiac, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Mathematics, (avajiac@chapman.edu).

Taking the test

There are 30 problems on each placement test (inidividualized versions). Solve the problems by yourself. Do not risk failing your first mathematics course at Chapman by attempting to use this test to place into a higher course than you are ready for. The Placement Test is timed for 3 hours since the moment you start it. Watch the time left on the upper right corner of the test page. If this automatic "Remaining time" gadget does not show up on your computer, please manage the time by yourself, using, for example, your computer's clock.

You must click on the "Grade Test" button ONLY AFTER you are sure you are done with the test, but before the 3 hours limit. You are not allowed to save the test and return to it later. Once you start it, you must finish it in the alloted time. You can click the "preview problems" button at any time during the test, to see that what you typed in is what you intended to type.

If your internet connection is lost, or any other possible computer errors or accidents happen, you might have to input again the answers to all problems. We strongly recommend you write down on paper your computations and answers while you are solving the test problems.

Continue solving the problems in the order you prefer. Each problem weights 1 point. Again, we recommend that you solve the problems on paper before entering your solutions online.

To take the test, please read all instructions first, and then click on the links at the bottom of this page.

After you take the test

After your are finished and you have clicked on the "Grade Test" button, you will see your score and you will be able to see what answers were correct. You will not be given the correct answers. You may also click on the "Grades" button on the left of the test page. After that, you must report your score by email or in person to Mrs. Carole M. Wayman, Testing Coordinator, Center for Academic Success (cwayman@chapman.edu).

Algebra Placement Test Cut Off Scores:
- A score of 24 points or more places you in Math104: Pre-Calculus.
- A score between 16 and 23 places you in Math0 99: Intermediate Algebra.
- If you have a score less or equal than 15, you must take Math 098: Elementary Algebra.
Pre-Calculus Placement Test Cut Off Scores:
- A score of 24 points or more places you in a Quantitative Inquiry GE course.

The Placement Tests
One last time, please make sure that you read and understand all of the instructions above. Once you start the test, you cannot stop and continue later on. If you are ready to spend the next 3 hours doing mathematics, click the appropriate link below.

Take the The Algebra Placement Test.
Take the The Pre-Calculus Placement Test.