MATH PLACEMENT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The NMU Mathematics Placement Program is designed to help students determine appropriate mathematics and computer science courses to enroll in at NMU.   The program consists of two exams: The Mathematics Placement Exam and the Diagnostic Exam.  Both exams provide equally valid mathematics placement.

Q: How important is mathematics placement?
A: Correct placement is extremely important.  Low placement will recommend a course you do not need resulting in a waste of time and money.  Placement that is too high will recommend a course above your level causing undue hardship, stress and a waste of time and money.  Take the exam very seriously!

Q: Who should take the Mathematics Placement Exam?
A: All freshman students coming straight out of high school.

Q: Who should take the Diagnostic Exam?
A: Freshmen who have been at NMU for at least one semester, other returning students, transfer students, and non-traditional students.  Home schooled students, dually-enrolled high school students and students with GEDs should take the Diagnostic Exam as well.

Q: Are calculators allowed?
A: No.  Calculators are not allowed when taking the Mathematics Placement, or Mathematics Diagnostic Exams.  Remember, correct placement is very important so be honest!

Q: How do I know which Exam to take?
A: Choose the NMU Mathematics Exam and the system will direct you to the appropriate exam.  It will allow you to either take the Mathematics Placement Exam or will direct you to the Mathematics Diagnostic Exam.

Q: Who can take the Exams?
A: Anyone who has an active NMU IN.

Q: I am a current high school graduate, but when I click on the Mathematics Placement Exam the system directs me to the Mathematics Diagnostic Exam.  Is this normal?
A: Yes.  High school records are sometimes incomplete or temporarily unavailable.  Both exams provide equally valid mathematics placement so take the exam the system directs you to take.

Q: Who does not need to take an Exam?
A: Those who have already earned college-level mathematics credits that will transfer to NMU, and those who have taken the AP Calculus Exam and scored three (3) or above. 

Q: What happens if I score 3 or higher on my AP Calculus Exam?
A: Five (5) credits of Calculus I will be granted along with permission to enroll in Calculus II at NMU.

Q:  Should I review mathematics texts or other material before taking the exam?
A:  Yes.  If you have not had mathematics for some period of time, a little refresher might keep you from taking an extra class that you might otherwise be able to skip.

Q: What is the NMU Mathematics Placement Exam like?
A: The Mathematic Placement Exam is a multiple-choice exam consisting of 53 questions. The first 51 are mathematics questions.  The last two ask for high school college-preparation mathematics course grades. The Exam must be finished within 50 minutes. Calculators are not allowed.

Q: What is the Mathematics Diagnostic Exam like?
A: The Exam is similar to the Mathematics Placement Exam.  The Exam must be finished within 50 minutes. Calculators are not allowed.

Q: When can I take the Exams?
A: The Exams are available online and can be taken seven (7) days per week from: 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.  They can be taken anywhere that Internet access is available.  Be sure to take the appropriate exam before orientation begins.

Q: How soon will I be able to register for classes after taking one of the placement exams?
A: If you take the test before 11:00 AM you will be able to register that same afternoon.  If you take the test after 11:00 AM you will not be able to register until the following day after 6:00 AM.

Q: What information is required before taking the Exam?
A: Students must have a valid NMU IN.  Be prepared to supply senior year high school college-preparation mathematics grades (two semesters) for the Mathematics Placement Exam.  College-preparation mathematics courses are required for Pre-Calculus placement.

Q: How does the Mathematics Placement work?
A: The mathematics placement recommendations are made by combining the Mathematics Placement Exam score with high school GPA and mathematics grades. Recommended courses are displayed immediately upon submitting the exam.

Q: How do I find my Mathematics Placement results?
A: Results are available on the LOOK-UP PLACEMENT EXAM RESULTS Web site.  The Access Code is NMUMATH.

Q: Does it mean I cannot come to NMU if my placement results do not recommend a mathematics course?
A: No. The Mathematics Placement recommendation does not change NMU admission status nor does it affect your GPA.  Contact your advisor or the Mathematics and Computer Science Department to discuss options.

Q: How soon will I be able to register for classes after taking one of the placement exams?
A: If you take the exam before 11:00 AM you will be able to register that same afternoon.  If you take the exam after 11:00 AM you will not be able to register until the following day after 6:00 AM.

Q: I have taken the exam, so why can't I register for a recommended course?
A: Often there is a lag between when the exam is taken and when the results are downloaded onto the Banner System.  Should this happen, contact the department at (906) 227-2020 or math_cs@nmu.edu  to be registered.  Your name, NMU IN, and the course CRN (5-digit number) will be needed to do so.

or

A: Students cannot register for courses beginning with a zero (MA090, OC080, etc.).  Contact the Student Service Center at (906) 227-1221, and they will register you as long as your placement score recommends the course and there are seats available.

Q: How often can I take a placement exam?
A: The Mathematics Placement Exam is given only once and cannot be repeated.  The Mathematics Diagnostic Exam can be taken once each year.  To repeat the Mathematics Diagnostic Exam you must contact Dr. Roxin Zhang at rzhang@nmu.edu .

Q: The system tells me I have already taken a placement exam.  What should I do?
A: Contact Dr. Roxin Zhang at rzhang@nmu.edu .

Q: Whom should I contact for further information?
A: E-mail Dr. Roxin Zhang at rzhang@nmu.edu or call the Mathematics and Computer Science Department at (906) 227-2020.