Who Must Take the Mathematics Placement Assessment?
Generally, all newly admitted students must take the assessment. This requirement may be waived for students who have received credit for a college-level mathematics course from another institution or from AP or IB courses. Please see below.
Why Do I Need to Take the Placement Assessment?
You need to take the assessment so that you can be placed in the appropriate beginning mathematics course that matches your level of preparation and increases your chance of success. It is important to be honest and to take the assessment seriously. Not doing so may result in enrolling in a course that is too difficult or not challenging enough, potentially costing time and money.
What if I Require Testing Accommodations for a Disability?
Please contact the Department of Disabilities Services (DDS) at 732-571-3460 or 732-263-5795 (TTY relay). All students seeking accommodations must call DDS prior to completing the assessment.
When Do I Take the Placement Assessment?
New first-year students must take the assessment before their summer advising appointment. Transfer students must take the assessment before their first advising appointment at Monmouth.
Where Do I Take the Assessment?
The Mathematics Placement Assessment is administered online.
- First-year students will access the assessment via SOAR. To find SOAR for First-Year Students, please visit myMU, the Monmouth University portal. Use the same user ID and password that you have been using to access your Hawkmail@Live account. Then, click “eCampus” and you will find the “SOAR” link under the “Communities” section.
- Transfer Services will contact transfer students who need to take the Mathematics Placement Assessment. Please contact transferservices@monmouth.edu if you feel you were asked to take the assessment in error.
What Mathematics is Assessed, and Do I Need to Study?
The assessment consists of a subset of the mathematics knowledge expected from your high school mathematics courses (arithmetic, algebra, and pre-calculus problems). Before taking the assessment, please review the online Sample Placement Questions. It is strongly recommended that you do some review before taking the assessment.
Can I Use a Calculator?
No, you may not use a personal calculator or any other outside resources during the assessment.
How Long is the Assessment?
The assessment should take approximately 60 minutes, but this will vary by student. Please ensure you have ample uninterrupted time available to do your best.
What Will My Placement Results Look Like?
The results of this assessment determine one of four placement levels. The highest level means the student is “ready for calculus.” The lowest indicates a need for additional preparation for college level mathematics.
What If I Fail the Placement Assessment?
You cannot fail the placement assessment! The results are used to identify the appropriate mathematics class that is in the best interest for you and your major.
Students who score level 1 out of 4 will be placed in a developmental math course (MA-050), which will assist them in improving their math skills. Our goal is to ensure you have the tools needed to be successful in your required math courses.
How Will I Know What Mathematics Class to Take?
Every new student coming to Monmouth (either first-year or transfer) is assigned an advisor. Your advisor will be able to take your placement score and, based on your major, help you decide what math class to schedule.
I Don’t Want to Take a Mathematics Course Right Away. Should I Take the Math Placement Assessment?
Yes! Some major sequence charts do not show a mathematics course in the first semester or first year. However, based on your placement level, you may be required to take a prerequisite mathematics class. We recommend not putting off taking your mathematics class for too long to avoid forgetting your skills.
I Have AP or IB Credit from Monmouth for a Mathematics Course. Do I Need to Take the Placement Assessment?
If you receive credit for pre-calculus or calculus, you will be waived from the requirement to take the math placement assessment. However, if the credit has not yet appeared on your transcripts or your academic audit, taking the math placement assessment will ensure that you are prepared for your advising appointment and eliminate delays in registering for a math class.
If you receive credit for another course, such as statistics, you may still need to take the math placement assessment, depending on the mathematical requirements of your major. Please discuss with your advisor.
I Am a Transfer Student. Do I Need to Take the Placement Assessment?
Maybe! If you have not transferred in a college-level mathematics course, you will need to take the placement assessment.
If you have transferred in college algebra, pre-calculus, or calculus, then you will be waived from the requirement to take the math placement assessment. However, if the credit has not yet appeared on your transcripts or your academic audit, taking the math placement assessment will ensure that you are prepared for your advising appointment and eliminate delays in registering for a math class.
If you receive credit for another course, such as statistics, you may still need to take the math placement assessment, depending on the mathematical requirements of your major. Please contact Transfer Services transferservices@monmouth.edu with any questions.
I Took a Math Placement Assessment at Another Institution. Do I Need to Take the Placement Assessment at Monmouth?
Maybe! If you took the ALEKS PPL assessment, you may be able to transfer your score to Monmouth. Please view the instructions on sharing your placement assessment results. Our school code is 141E8EC. Otherwise, you will need to take the placement assessment at Monmouth.
What If Have Questions Not Answered on This FAQ Page?
Still have questions? Please contact mathplacement@monmouth.edu.