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MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT INFORMATION

The Department has two placement exams, and it is important that you take the one appropriate to your particular situation.  The Mathematics Placement Exam is only for freshmen coming straight out of high school.  The Mathematics Diagnostic Exam is for everyone elseAll students entering NMU are required to take one of these placement exams unless college-level credit in mathematics has already been earned. 

MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT WEB SITES

Take great care when entering your 8-digit NMU IN - An error will result in wrong placement.

!!! CAUTION - MAKE SURE YOU TAKE THE CORRECT TEST !!!

MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT EXAM
(ONLY for freshmen coming straight out of high school)

MATHEMATICS DIAGNOSTIC EXAM
(All OTHER STUDENTS including returning, transfer, and non-traditional students.  Home schooled students, and students with GEDs should take this test as well.

Please call the Department at (906) 227-2020 if you are unsure which test to take or e-mail us at Math_CS@nmu.edu .  We will be happy to help.

The tests are available online from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a week.  It will take less than an hour to complete (no calculators). 

Print a copy of the results and bring it with you to orientation, or look up your test results on the placement Web site below.  If you do not have access to the Internet, you may take the test once you arrive on campus and receive a laptop computer. 

PLACEMENT EXAM RESULTS LOOK-UP (Access Code: NMU2008)

If you have other questions regarding mathematics placement, please e-mail rzhang@nmu.edu.

MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT FAQ


Part I

Generally, start with the highest recommended on the Mathematics Placement Exam.  However, if you are recommended for MA115, you should take:

  • MA106 (Trigonometry) if you do not need calculus (eg. Electronics, Technology majors)

    • Do not take both MA106 and MA105

  • MA115 (Precalculus) if you will go on to calculus.

Part II

Recommended

You may take

MA115 or higher

Recommended course or MA171

MA104 or MA105

MA104 if you do not plan to take precalculus.
MA105 if you plan to take precalculus.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR ELEMENTARY EDUCATION MAJOR

Recommended

You Should Take

MA103 or higher

MA150

MA100 or Lower

As recommended by Mathematics Department.

IDEAL COURSE PROGRESSIONS
MA 103 -> MA 171 typical for business majors
MA 103 -> MA 271 geography-related programs
MA 104 -> MA 106 typical for most CTAS majors
MA 105 -> MA 115 -> MA 161 typical of many science, math and CS majors who are not advised to start at a higher level by the Math Placement Exam

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Only one of MA 103, MA 104 and MA 105 should be taken.

The choice between MA 104 and MA 105 largely depends on the goals of the student. If the student enjoys mathematics, has a good math background, and will (or may) take precalculus and calculus, MA 105 is the appropriate course. On the other hand, MA 104 is geared for those students who need (and want) only basic, applied algebra and perhaps trigonometry.

MA 104 -> MA 171 is not recommended.
MA 104 -> MA 115 requires a B- or better in MA 104.

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