1. Lois Samer Anita Pattison
Math Placement at CSU
Lois Samer
Anita Pattison

2. University Math Requirement
Category 1B of the AUCC is 3 credits of mathematics.
This requirement must be met within the first 60 credits (CSU and transfer) completed.
Registration hold if not met.
Hold is added and removed by the Registrar’s Office.
The student’s degree program determines which math class is appropriate.

3. Why math?
Superficially, it may appear that your math classes are all about learning a laundry list of math skills, learning acceptable techniques on how to manipulate numbers and symbols in order to solve problems.
But learning all this stuff provides valuable experience at an important form of thinking, analytical thinking.
This is learning how to dissect problems into their key ingredients, processing this information, then arriving at insights or conclusions in an orderly, rational way.
-Jon Davidson, SSCC

4. Why Math? “All is number” (Pythagoras)
Meaning, all things can be understood through and explained by mathematics.

5. Eligibility to Take Math at CSU
Every math class at CSU has an enforced prerequisite.
Prerequisites can be satisfied in various ways:
A CSU math placement exam
Completing the prerequisite course at CSU
Transferring in the prerequisite course
Credit earned by exam (AP, IB, CLEP, etc.)

6. Eligibility to Take Math at CSU
The prerequisite for the entry level math classes is satisfactory placement from a CSU math placement exam*.
Entry Level Math Classes
MATH 101 – Math in the Social Sciences
MATH 105 – Patterns of Phenomena
MATH 117 – College Algebra I
* Some classes taken at a Colorado Community College will also satisfy entry level prerequisites.

7. True/False MATH 101 satisfies the prerequisite for MATH 117.
FALSE  MATH 101 and 105 are terminal math courses. They do not satisfy the prerequisite for any other course at CSU.
The prerequisite for MATH 117 is satisfactory performance on a CSU math placement exam.
MATH 117 is the gateway course to being able to take classes at CSU with math prerequisites.

8. Transfer Courses or Exams
Math prerequisites can be satisfied by transferring in course work or exam scores.
Students can use the “Do I need to take the MPE?” tool to see if they need to take the MPE.

9. Colorado Community Colleges
Some math courses, with a grade of C- or higher, will satisfy prerequisites.
For MATH 101
MAT 050
MAT 090
MAT 092
For MATH 117
MAT 055
MAT 093
MAT 099

10. CSU Math Placement Exams
The MPE (All students must start with the MPE)
Math Placement Exam
Math Challenge Exam
The ELM Exam (taken after completion of the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Tutorial)
A Precalculus Tutorial Final Exam (one exam for each section)

11. The MPE Math Placement Exam Taken in an unproctored setting
Only available to incoming students
Limited to 1 attempt
Taken remotely from a personal computer
No longer available once student arrives on campus for classes.
Awards only placement (no credit)

12. The MPE Math Challenge Exam Same exam as the Math Placement Exam
Taken in a proctored setting
In the PACe Testing Center (when classes are in session)
Incoming students can use ProctorU to take the exam remotely.
Students have 2 lifetime attempts
Awards placement and/or credit.

13. The MPE Three sections Algebra (24 questions)
Entry level math prerequisite skills
Content of MATH 117
Content of MATH 118
Trigonometry (16 questions)
MATH 125
MATH 126
Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (10 questions)
MATH 124
Must complete algebra section; the other two sections are optional.

14. The MPE Website

15. The MPE Students should prepare – skills gather rust!
MPE Review materials (found online)
PDF packets with review material and practice problems
Coming soon … online practice problems
PACe Course Assistants, Weber 136
Borrow textbooks
PACe Center
Public Library
Many other online resources such as Khan Academy

16. Chem Prep Chem Prep Algebra Is Chem Prep a good review for the MPE?
Yes
And No
There is some overlap with the material covered so it can help with some of the MPE material. It can also help the student to start thinking mathematically.
Algebra
Chem Prep

17. Possible MPE Results May place into MATH 101 only
all entry level math courses
May place out of
one or more of the pre-calculus courses (MATH 117–126)
plus possibly earn University credit for one or more of the pre-calculus courses (from the Math Challenge Exam)

18. MPE Results All students will place into at least MATH 101
Students will need to retake the MPE or shift to the ELM Tutorial/Exam to improve their placement status
Incoming fall students have the additional option to complete the Precalucus Tutorial

21. Entry Level Math (ELM) Tutorial
An online instructional tool designed to prepare students for college level mathematics
May be completed remotely
Free tutoring is available in the PACe Learning Center during the academic year
Passing the ELM Exam clears the prerequisite for MATH 117
ELM Exam must be proctored
PACe Testing Center
Incoming students may also use ProctorU

22. ELM Tutorial Website

23. ELM Tutorial
Passing the Unit 3 Review Exam will satisfy the University’s admission requirement in mathematics for potential transfer students.

24. FAQ About the ELM Tutorial
How long does it take to complete?
Depends on the student’s math background, math aptitude, and how effectively the student utilizes the Tutorial
Can be completed in less than a single day

25. FAQ About the ELM Tutorial
What level math does it cover?
Contents begin around an 8th grade level and build to intermediate algebra skills

26. FAQ About the ELM Tutorial
Must students complete the Tutorial to take the ELM Exam?
Yes  but how much they complete depends on the desired outcome (transfer admission vs. prerequisite for MATH 117).

27. FAQ About the ELM Tutorial
Should a student retake the MPE or complete the ELM Tutorial?
If the algebra section of the MPE felt too challenging, the student may find the ELM Tutorial to be a better fit.

28. Precalculus Tutorial
Only available to incoming fall students during the summer.
Intended for freshmen needing prerequisites for courses that are critical in the degree program’s first semester (Calculus, Chemistry, Computer Science, etc.)
Students can only earn placement, not credit.

29. Precalculus Tutorial
Has 5 sections that correspond to the PACe courses.
College Algebra I  for placement out of MATH 117
College Algebra II  for placement out of MATH 118
Functions  for placement out of MATH 124
College Trig I  for placement out of MATH 125
College Trig II  for placement out of MATH 126

30. Precalculus Tutorial
Each section is structured just like the ELM Tutorial with a proctored exam.
MPE results determine in which section the student begins.
The student determines how much they want to complete.
This is a placement activity (no course registration involved).

31. Precalculus Tutorial
Depending on how much of the tutorial a student chooses to complete, they may have multiple proctored exams to take. Exams may be taken proctored at the PACe Testing Center or using ProctorU.
Students may work on the tutorial starting on the first day of the summer session through the Thursday before fall classes begin.

32. Placement Fees
There is a one time fee of $15 charged to the student’s account the first time they take the MPE.
Students must purchase a $20 etext for the Precalculus Tutorial.

33. Math Placement information can be found on the Mathematics Department website.

34. True/False?
Students may enroll in a PACe course they have placed out of to earn credit in the course.
True!