Math Placement Testing

MCC uses the Compass Math Placement test to place our students into the appropriate math course.  If you are planning to take the math placement test at MCC, we have several recommendations for your studying:

• You should study for the math placement test.  Like anything else, if you don't use it, you lose it.  Especially if you've been out of math for a year (or even a few months over the summer), you should sit down for at least two hours and study.  Often students who do not study are disappointed about their low placement.  Placing into a higher-level of math class can save you time and tuition money ... it is worth a couple hours of practice.
• Bring a calculator that is on the approved list of calculators and that you feel comfortable using.  You should not rely on the testing center to provide you with a calculator as an unfamiliar calculator can mean big trouble on the placement test. Follow this link to find out if your calculator is allowed.
• Take your time on the test.  Don't schedule your appointment for a time when you will feel rushed.  The test is adaptive, which means that the level of problems will increase or decrease in difficulty as you answer questions correctly or incorrectly.  If you guess on problems that you don't want to do, and get them wrong, the level of difficulty of the test will change, and your placement will be lower.
• Decide where to begin the test.  One of the first things you will be asked is what level you would like to begin the placement test at.  Here's how to decide.  If you have recently taken math, begin at the level of class that you last took.  If it has been more than 5 years since you took math, you may want to begin the test lower than you left off.  We are letting you decide where to begin testing so that you do not get "test fatigue" from answering too many questions... remember, the test will adjust itself to your level of ability.
• Familiarize youself with the test interface by watching this Power Point presentation to show you what the Compass Test interface is like  (Presentation by Georgia Highlands College).  This presentation will show you how to use the calculator included in the Compass Test package, if you do not have a calculator of your own. 

Web Resources to help you study for the Math Placement Test:

• Sample test questions from Compass
• Additional Sample Questions: Numerical Skills/Prealgebra and Algebra
• Additional Sample Questions: College Algebra, Geometry, and Trignometry
• Practice Compass Test at the Oakland Community College Website
• Math Compass Worksheets published on the Georgia Highlands College Website

What if I don't agree with my placement?

Make an appointment to visit with one of our full-time math instructors to discuss your placement.  Choose the instructor by looking for the course that you are trying to enroll in.  Before you meet with the instructor, obtain a copy of your transcripts showing the previous courses you have taken, and your grades.

• Maria H. Andersen (Math 111, Math 112, Math 161, Math 162, Math 105)
• Tom Wolters (Math 40, Math 50, Math 109)
• Diane Krasnewich (Math 115, Math 215, Math 274, Math 283, Math 295)

If you are unable to reach the designated instructor, please contact one of the other full-time instructors to discuss your placement.