Northern Illinois University
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Back to the introductory page: Math Placement at NIU
Mathematics Placement Examination
You are required to take this exam
if you plan a major which requires
- Math 110: College Algebra;
- Math 155: Trigonometry and Elementary Functions;
- Math 206: Introductory Discrete Mathematics;
- Math 210: Finite Mathematics;
- Math 211: Calculus for Business and social Science; or
- Math 229: Calculus I.
An adequate score on this examination is one way to meet the prerequisite
for each of these courses.
Students not meeting the prerequisite for a course
will not have access to that course.
This exam may be taken only once.
The following areas of study, for example,
have programs which require one of these courses.
accountancy
biological sciences
chemistry
clinical laboratory sciences
community health
computer science
deafness rehabilitation
dietetics, nutrition, and food systems
early childhood studies
economics
electrical engineering
elementary education
family and child studies
finance
geography
geology
home economics education
industrial engineering
journalism
management
marketing
mathematics
mechanical engineering
nursing
operations management and information systems
physics
political science
pre-dentistry
pre-engineering
pre-medicine
pre-optometry
pre-osteopathy
pre-pharmacy
pre-physical therapy
pre-podiatry
pre-veterinary medicine
psychology
sociology
speech-language pathology/audiology
statistics
technology
textiles, apparel, and merchandising
The exam is also required of students in any program
leading to the B.S. degree in the
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or the
College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.
Transfer students who have completed the mathematics requirement
for their NIU program of study need not take the
Mathematics Placement Examination.
The Mathematics Placement Examination deals with
the subject matter of high school algebra
and contains questions on topics such as
solutions of equations and inequalities,
functions and graphs in the plane,
exponential and logarithmic functions,
systems of equations, and
polynomials.
Also included are questions on such topics as
the trigonometric functions and their graphs,
solutions of triangles,
trigonometric identities, and
the addition formulas.
REGISTRATION:
Most testing dates require advance registration.
Seating is limited. Contact
Testing Services, Adams 128,
well in advance of the date on which you wish to test.
Office hours are from
8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Telephone (815) 753-1203.
email:testing@niu.edu
NOTE:
Examinees must bring photo identification to the exam.
Please bring two number 2 pencils.
Calculators are not allowed.
DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION:
Click here
for information from the Office of Testing Services.
EXAM RESULTS:
Results and interpretation material will be available
immediately following testing.
Academic advisers from the student's major department or
from the Department of Mathematical Sciences should be consulted
if the correct choice of a beginning course is not apparent.
CONTACT:
Questions concerning the Mathematics Placement Examination
may be directed to the
Department of Mathematical Sciences,
Watson 320. Telephone (815) 753-6723.
Back to the introductory page: Math Placement at NIU