To avoid delays, please scroll through the information below before contacting us, as most of your questions will be answered here.听
We want to ensure that students are successful and prepared for the math courses in which they are enrolled. To do this, CU Boulder combines test scores with previous experience to place students in the appropriate course.听This math placement is relevant only for students wishing to take Precalculus or Calculus 1 classes.
Many CU Boulder听math courses do not require a prerequisite or prior math experience, so a math placement is not relevant. Students who choose to take calculus, or those pursuing majors that require calculus, will become eligible to enroll in calculus-related courses based on an appropriate placement. These courses include the following:
|
Course Number |
Course Title |
|---|---|
|
APPM 1235 |
Precalculus for Engineers |
|
APPM 1340 |
Calculus 1 with Algebra (Part 1 of 2 in a year-long calculus sequence) |
|
APPM 1350 |
Calculus 1 for Engineers |
|
ECON 1088 |
Math Tools for Economists II |
|
MATH 1071 |
Finite Math for Social Science and Business |
|
MATH 1150 |
Precalculus Mathematics |
|
MATH 1300 |
Calculus 1 |
|
MATH 1310 |
Calculus, Systems, and Modeling |
|
MATH 1330 |
Calculus for Economics and the Social Sciences |
Students planning to enroll in precalculus or calculus 1 (but not calculus 2) will be asked to take an online Math Readiness Test. Your math placement will be determined by the readiness test score and other information including high school transcripts and previous CU Boulder or other college-level coursework. We have found this background information on a student's academic experience to be a good predictor of success in precalculus and calculus courses.听
Simply taking the course won't guarantee placement into calculus. However, an AP score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus exam will听make you eligible to enroll in Calculus at CU Boulder.
Even if you took AP Calculus, you should still take the math placement听test now. AP scores could be delayed, so scoring well on the math placement test will make you eligible for Calculus when it's time to enroll in your classes. In addition, even if you do not score well on the math readiness test, a 4 or 5 on AP Calculus will still allow you to enroll in Calculus later on; math readiness test scores听do听not cancel out your AP score.听
Students who complete the Math Readiness Test will receive a math placement within 2听business days. Students can view their placement results in Canvas under "Grades" or by going to听Buff Portal Advising.听
You will need to take the online Math Readiness Test. Your math placement will be posted within 2听business days. If you have submitted the appropriate test and you still don't see a placement in Canvas Grades, contact mathplacement@colorado.edu using your colorado.edu email address听and include your name and student ID.
There is a single test which will produce one of three possible placements:听Calculus, Precalculus, or Not Calculus/Precalculus. Students planning to enroll in Calculus 1 must complete all 40 multiple choice questions. Students planning to enroll in Precalculus may submit the test after answering the first 20 questions, if they so choose.听It's important that you review the prep materials prior to taking the readiness test!
The test includes questions on algebra, analytic geometry, trigonometry, exponentials, logarithms, and other topics. For students planning to enroll in Precalculus,听the first half of the Math Readiness Test听includes questions on algebra and analytic geometry. We recommend working through practice problems in the听study materials听before taking these tests.
If you did听not achieve the score you need for precalculus or calculus, you can take a proctored math placement test. It is vital that you study and prepare for this last attempt to improve your placement!
As a last resort, we recommend contacting your advisor to discuss your options.
For subsequent semester math enrollment, students can attempt the听proctored placement test offered during the semester.听
If you have completed听the Math Readiness Test and would like to improve your math placement,听you can take the proctored math placement test. Please remember to review the study materials carefully prior to attempting this proctored retake.听Please see our section on how to prepare.听
As a last resort, we recommend contacting your advisor to discuss your options.
You must show your proficiency through the Math Readiness Test or the proctored听placement test.
The placement test is used to determine placement into precalculus or calculus 1 only.听Qualified students interested in registering for a higher level math course should consult their academic advisors.
Incoming and continuing students should take the Math Readiness Test as soon as possible; delays can narrow your options for improving your score and registering for the classes you need. We recommend reviewing the听study materials听before taking the test.
Results remain valid for one year.
Please see our section on how to prepare.听
If you need disability accommodations please contact dsinfo@colorado.edu, call 303-492-8671, or visit Disability Services in the Center for Community, N200.听After receiving your accommodation letter, contact听mathplacement@colorado.edu听if you need extended time to take either test.
Yes. Students have 60 minutes to complete the test. Students needing to document a听disability and receive extra time should contact dsinfo@colorado.edu or call 303-492-8671 or visit Disability Services in the Center for Community, N200 prior to requesting extra time.听After receiving your accommodation letter, contact听mathplacement@colorado.edu听if you need extended time for either test.
No calculators, computers, cell phones or other electronic devices are permitted. No other aids will be permitted.
No.
If the math placement qualifies you for the class you wanted, the registration system will automatically allow you to register for the course as soon as your results are posted.
Note that if听you wish to register for MATH 1150 Precalculus, be sure to also place MATH 1151 into your registration cart.
No. A strong math foundation is crucial for your success in calculus courses. Our research has found that students placed into a class for which they are not adequately prepared are not likely to do well, a scenario which could delay satisfactory progression and graduation.
If you did听not achieve the desired placement, you may take the Proctored Math Placement Test to try and improve your placement. This test will be available shortly before the start of each semester.听As a last resort, we recommend contacting your advisor to discuss your options.
If you can't take the proctored retake, email听mathplacement@colorado.edu听to discuss your options.
For any technical difficulties, email mathplacement@colorado.edu.听
No. Students who take a CU precalculus course and earn a grade below C-, including students who receive a grade of W,听must retake the course in order to qualify for Calculus 1; they are not eligible to qualify by taking a math placement test.
You may still be able to take the proctored placement test,听offered shortly before the start of each semester. However, there will be听limited seat availability in many of the Calculus sections, and some sections will no longer听be available. Don't delay!
As of February 15, 2017 CU Boulder discontinued using the ALEKS score for math placement. Those scores are no longer valid. It is highly recommended that you take the proctored math placement exam to measure your current math skills and readiness for calculus.
Do not call us. Instead, please email mathplacement@colorado.edu. Someone will get back to you ASAP.