1. NEIU Placement Test
Entering freshman students are given two options for placement into a math course:  ACT scores or the Math Placement Test (MPT). 
The university will use the higher of the two scores for placement into a math course
Since there is no penalty to taking the MPT, freshmen are strongly encouraged to do so, particularly if they took a math course in their senior year of high school.
Freshmen with Math ACT scores of 21 or less are given the Basic MPT. 
The Basic MPT is one hour consisting of a thirty minute test in Elementary Algebra and a thirty minute test in Intermediate Algebra. 
Students with Math ACT scores of 22 or higher are given the Advanced MPT. 
The Advanced MPT is one hour consisting of a thirty minute test in Intermediate Algebra and a thirty minute test in Pre-Calculus.
Freshmen who do not submit ACT scores must take the Basic MPT.
Please note: Calculators are not allowed to be used during MPT testing.

2. NIU
The math placement test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions: 5 choices per question, no penalty for guessing.
You have 75 minutes to take the test, which seems to be sufficient for almost everyone.
The questions range from Basic Algebra through Advanced Algebra (e.g. logarithms and graphing).
There is a separate portion (20 questions) on trigonometry which is required only if you are trying to test into Math 229 (Calculus 1).
You will not need a calculator and are not permitted to bring in any electronic tools, books, or notebooks.

3. NEIU Sample Placement Math Test Elementary Algebra
Type of Problem
Number of Problems
Basic adding/subtracting (fractions, absolute value, word problems) 8
Simplifying expressions: Distributive property, CLT, order of operations, solving equations 5
Graphing inequalities 1
Exponent rules, radicals 6
Factoring or FOIL 9
Adding/subtracting polynomials

4. NEIU Sample Placement Math Test Intermediate Algebra
Type of Problem
Number of Problems
Writing equations of lines: Slope, parallel and perpendicular lines 4
Systems of equations: Substitution, elimination 3
Exponent rules, radicals 5
Rational expressions: Solving equations with fractions 7
Factoring or FOIL
Quadratic functions (graph, vertex, x-intercepts, y-intercepts)
Solving quadratic equations

5. New unit on Exponents, Radicals & Rational Expressions
SWBAT…
Apply and explain the rules of exponents
Zero exponent property
Negative exponent property
Product of powers rule
Power of a power rule
Power of a product rule
Power of a quotient rule
Quotient of powers rule
Simplifying radicals (square roots)
Simplifying rational expressions

6. Definition of an exponent
An exponent tells how many times a number is multiplied by itself. 4 3
Exponent
Base 4
= (3)(3)(3)(3) = 81 3

7. A = π(8cm)2
A = 64π cm2

8. Volume = (length)(width)(height)
Exponents are often used in volume problems to show the centimeters are cubed
Volume = (length)(width)(height)
Length = 10 cm
Width = 10 cm
Height = 20 cm
Volume = (20cm)(10cm)(10cm) = 2,000 cm 20 10 10 3

9. What is the exponent? 4
(5)(5)(5)(5) = 5

10. What is the base and the exponent?5
(7)(7)(7)(7)(7) = 7

11. What is the answer? 3 5
125 =

12. Compute: (-4)2
Answer: (-4)(-4) = 16

13. PEMDAS
Calculate: -42
Answer: -(4)(4) = -16

14. Simplify: n2 when n = -5
Answer: (-5)2 = (-5)(-5) = 25

15. Simplify: -n2 when n = -5
Answer: -(-5)2 = -(-5)(-5) = -25

16. Simplify: (x + 3)2
Answer: (x + 3)(x + 3)
x2 + 6x + 9

17. Compute: 02
Answer: 0

18. Compute: 20
Answer: 1

19. WHY is anything to the power zero "1"
36 = 729
35 = 243
34 = 81
33 = 27
32 = 9
31 = 3
30 = 1

20. Laws of Exponents

21. Zero Exponent Property (1)
Words: Any nonzero number raised to the zero power is equal to 1.
Symbols: For any nonzero number x, x0 = 1.
Examples:
1.) 120 = 1
2.)
3.)
Open Ended: Create a problem that satisfies this property!

22. Let’s practice… 1.) (-3.14)0 2.) -3.140 3.) (-x)0 if x = 4
Simplify each expression:
1.) (-3.14)0
2.)
3.) (-x)0 if x = 4
4.) -54(-4)0
5. [(3x4y7z12)5 (–5x9y3z4)2]0
1.) 1
2.) -1 (Careful! Exponents first then take the negative)
3.) 1
4.) -54
5.) Who cares about that stuff inside the square brackets? I don't, because the zero power on the outside means that the value of the entire thing is just 1.

23. Negative Exponent Property (2)
Words: For any nonzero number a and any integer n,
x-n is the reciprocal of xn.
Also, the reciprocal of x-n = xn.
Symbols: For any nonzero number a and any integer n,
Examples:

25. OYO Problems (On Your Own)
1.) 1/4-2 = 1/16
2.) -32
3.) 16/22 = 16/4 = 4
4.) 8/25