Texas Tech University
TTU Home Departments Mathematics & Statistics

Department of Mathematics & Statistics

Mathematics Placement Examination

The Mathematics Placement Examination, which formerly was only available on-campus and during orientation, can now be completed on-line by entering freshman and transfer students prior to coming to Texas Tech.

Entering students are strongly encouraged to complete the Mathematics Placement Examination before coming to their summer orientation.

Click Here to be Taken to the Online Placement Exam

Examination Schedule

The examination may be taken more than once subject to the following restrictions:

  • It may be taken at most once on any given day;
  • On-line, over the internet, it may be taken at most twice.

The Mathematics Placement Examination is administered in one of two formats:

  • On-campus in a proctored setting, according to the exam schedule
  • On-line prior to summer orientations and during the Christmas break.

Questions about the Mathematics Placement Examination may be directed to Dr. Robert Byerly at robert.byerly@ttu.edu or (806) 742-2566.
Calculator Usage

A calculator may be used while taking the placement examination. The primary focus of the Mathematics Placement Examination is on assessing arithmetic and algebraic manipulative skills and not on calculator or computer proficiency. The examination is structured so that while calculator proficiency may help a student with some of the questions assessing arithmetic skills, successful completion of the exam will reflect how well a student has retained his or her algebra skills.


Review

The following resources are available for students needing a review.
Administration

Students matriculating to the university in a Fall semester will typically take the Mathematics Placement Examination on-line, prior to their new student orientation or else on-campus during their new student orientation. The on-campus examination is administered on the first day of each orientation.

Students matriculating to the university in a Spring semester or a Summer term will typically take the Mathematics Placement Examination on-line, prior to coming to Texas Tech or else during the open registration prior to the start of the Spring semester or Summer term, respectively.

Students whose placement score do not match their expectations may retake the mathematics placement examination during the period of open registration prior to the beginning of each semester or term. The retakes of the placement examinations will be administered by the Department of Mathematics. Students desiring to retake the placement examination should consult the administration schedule for testing times and locations.
University Policy

University policy states that to be admitted to an entry-level mathematics course (0301-1351, 1420-1430, 1550, 2300), a student must meet one of the following prerequisites:

  1. Students who have a sufficiently high SAT Mathematics score or ACT Mathematics score (click here for scores required for particular courses) may enroll in any of these entry-level courses.
  2. Students who have collegiate credit for the appropriate prerequisite course from an accredited community college, junior college or university may enroll in the sequelled entry-level mathematics course.
  3. Students who satisfactorily pass the Mathematics Placement Examination may enroll in the appropriate entry-level mathematics course.

For many students, achieving a satisfactory score on the Mathematics Placement Examination is the most direct and effective way to satisfy one of these prerequisites. The placement examination has one goal: to place the student in the course which best matches the student's university major and the student's skill level. The examination directs the student to the course he or she wishes to take or to a course which develops the necessary prerequisite skills for the required courses in his or her degree program.