Locating and Taking the Mathematics Placement Test and Choosing the Correct Math Course

Every student who attends Quinnipiac will complete at least one course in mathematics (quantitative reasoning).  Many majors require specific math courses; some majors allow you to select from several different math courses. Once you have your placement score, please use the grid listed under “Math Placement Scores Explained” to select your math course and the best semester to take that course.

Your math placement score will be posted on Blackboard about a week after you take the placement test. To see which math course you will need to take, please consult the Mathematics Placement Grid (PDF) or click this link for an oral explanation by Professor Nelan.

Locating and Taking the Mathematics Placement Test
Mathematics placement at Quinnipiac is determined by three factors: your math SAT score, your background in mathematics and our own mathematics placement test.  Our placement test is purely a test of your current algebra skills. The placement test is a 70-question multiple-choice test, which you should take prior to coming to orientation.

Once you have learned how to navigate Blackboard, you should log in. You will already be enrolled in a Blackboard course entitled, “Math Placement Test.” Click on this and follow the instructions at the course site. Begin by filling out a questionnaire about your previous mathematics experience, including listing all mathematics courses (plus grades) you took in high school and/or any mathematics courses you completed at another college or university.

Before starting the test make sure you have at least one hour and 15 minutes to devote to the test. When you take the test, make sure you have a pencil and paper handy. You may not use a calculator, any books or another person’s help. The test is simply a tool to help determine which mathematics course you should take. There is no advantage to cheating on this test.

You may only take the test once. Make sure you exit by hitting the “submit” button ; exiting any other way will cause the computer to lose the results of the test. When you finish you will be informed of the number of questions you answered correctly; this is not the same as your placement and you should not read too much into this number.  About a week after you take the test, you will be assigned a placement level. This is a number between 1 and 5. This placement level, together with your major, will tell you which mathematics course you should register for.

If you have technical problems, report it via the “Trouble Report” mechanism in Blackboard.  If you have a question about the test or mathematics in general e-mail Professor Nelan at: Cornelius.nelan@quinnipiac.edu.

You can take the mathematics placement test anytime after activating your QU accounts.