Math Placement FAQ
These are the basic instructions provided before each test. A link to the math placement is listed after the instructions.
Instructions
Carefully read the following instructions. You may wish to print them out before starting .
- This math placement is designed to assess your mathematical preparedness for subsequent courses. The results will be used for advising purposes and will not be part of your permanent record.
- You were assigned a username and password specifically for this math placement; enter these whenever you are asked for a username/password or a proctor username/password. These are NOT the same as your UCD username/password.
- You will need scratch paper and a pen or pencil to work the problems on the math placement. Obtain them before you begin.
- Calculators are not needed and may not be used on this math placement. You may not use books, the Internet, or other materials, or consult with anyone while taking this math placement. Using calculators or other materials will make it harder to complete the math placement on time, and may result in your being advised to take a class inappropriate for you.
- You will have 90 minutes to complete the math placement. Once you begin, a timer will appear in the corner of your screen. The timer will not stop for any reason.
- If you do not submit your math placement within the time limit, your math placement will not be graded. No score will be given. This will also count as an math placement attempt and you will not be allowed to take the math placement again during the testing session.
- This math placement contains 60 problems over ten pages; you may work on problems in any order you like.
- Use the 'Jump to Page' links at the top and bottom of each math placement page to move between pages.
- If you find certain questions very time-consuming, leave them temporarily. Come back to them after you have gone through the entire math placement if you have time.
- In scoring the math placemenmath placement, only correct answers will be counted. If you have no idea which of the answers to a given question is the correct one, you should leave the question blank. If you happen to guess correct answers to questions that you do not understand, you may be advised to take a course for which you are not adequately prepared.
- If your web browser crashes, immediately reopen the test. It will let you continue working where you left off until the timer counts down to zero. However, the timer will keep counting down even if your computer is not on.
- When you are finished with the math placement, click the "Grade Test" button. Do NOT click this button until you are finished or time is up. If you accidentally click this button, simply click the back button on your browser. You will NOT be able to submit your test for grading after time expires. Be sure to click the "Grade Test" button before the timer ends.
- After clicking "Grade Test", you will be prompted to log in once more to verify your submission. Enter the same username and password you used to start the math placement and then click 'Continue'.
- After you submit your test for grading, please wait as your test is scored. If you see a green bar and are told that your score was recorded, then you are done. If you do NOT see this, email placementhelp@math.ucdavis.edu .
Additional information about the math placement, math placement dates, and math placement registration can be found at the
Math Placement Assessment Information Page.
Make sure you select the correct math placement for your major.
Mathematics Placement Assessment for College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences- Available 11 AM, May 31 - 11 AM, June 7
Mathematics Placement Assessment for College of Biological Sciences- Available 11 AM, May 31 - 11 AM, June 7
Mathematics Placement Assessment for College of Engineering- Available 11 AM, June 4 - 11 AM, June 11
Mathematics Placement Assessment for College of Letters and Science- Available 11 AM, June 7 - 11 AM, June 14
Copyright © UC Regents, Davis campus. All rights reserved.
FAQs
The math placement test at University of California Davis isn't hard if you receive the necessary individualized instruction when preparing for the test. With a study guide that has a math tutor built into the program, you'll get all the help you need.
Is UC Davis a good school for mathematics? ›
The media company released updated rankings today (April 24) for nearly 20 disciplines and dozens of specialties in its 2023-2024 Best Graduate Schools. Among them, UC Davis also had top-25 programs and specialties in earth sciences, engineering, mathematics and nursing.
Can I retake the math placement test UC Davis? ›
If you do not submit your math placement within the time limit, your math placement will not be graded. No score will be given. This will also count as an math placement attempt and you will not be allowed to take the math placement again during the testing session.
How hard is the math placement test? ›
Is a placement test hard? Placement tests aren't necessarily hard. These exams primarily cover the Algebra that you learned in high school, so whether or not they are hard depends on how well you did in Algebra.
Which UC school is best for math? ›
Best Schools for Mathematics in California
- University of California - Los Angeles. Los Angeles, CA. 238 Math Degrees Awarded. ...
- University of California - Berkeley. Berkeley, CA. 123 Math Degrees Awarded. ...
- University of California - San Diego. La Jolla, CA. 278 Math Degrees Awarded. ...
- University of California - Davis. Davis, CA.
1. Real Analysis: This course is sometimes referred to as the most difficult undergraduate math course because it delves deep into the theoretical foundations of calculus. It relies heavily on rigorous proofs and demands a high level of abstract thinking.
Is it OK to fail a placement test? ›
You cannot fail a placement test.
But you still need to study! The test determines what courses you will be placed in when you begin at college. Depending on your score, you may need to take extra developmental courses or you may be able to start regular college courses right away.
How do you get a high score on a math placement test? ›
Work slowly through the problems and make sure to read each one carefully. Double check your work if you have time to make sure you are answering correctly. Some math placement tests are timed, but others are not. If yours is timed, do the questions that take you the least time first and then move onto harder ones.
What is the lowest passing grade at UC Davis? ›
In courses listed in the UC Davis General Catalog as being letter graded, passing quality means of D- quality or better.
What happens if you do bad on a math placement test? ›
You can't fail a placement test for college. If you receive a low score, you'll be placed in developmental classes for that subject to help increase your knowledge of the topic before you advance to more rigorous courses.
The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition is the preeminent mathematics competition for undergraduate college… The questions in the competition require some great levels of cleverness and critical thinking. They are specific and so require optimum mathematical knowledge and logical imagination.
Should I study for my college math placement test? ›
That said, avoid underestimating the importance of the math placement tests. So, study for them the same way you'd study for any other test because they'll determine which courses you'll take when you start college.
What is a good score for math placement test? ›
An ALEKS Assessment Score of 30 or higher indicates adequate preparation for most general education mathematics or statistics courses.
Is the UC Davis Chem placement test hard? ›
There's really no need to worry or study at all. The math placement test was basically a bit of pre-calculus and adv algebra, and mojority of the questions you could solve with basic algebra skills. The chem placement test was so easy that you could simply use elimination/deduction skills to answer the questions.
Are UC Davis classes hard? ›
Some students will experience academic difficulty during their time at UC Davis. If you are struggling and your grades are being affected, it can impact your academic standing when the quarter ends.
What happens if you fail math placement? ›
You can't fail a placement test for college. If you receive a low score, you'll be placed in developmental classes for that subject to help increase your knowledge of the topic before you advance to more rigorous courses.
