Math Placement Exam

Overview

The RIT Math Placement Exam (MPE) is used to place students in the appropriate initial mathematics and/or statistics course(s). The MPE must be taken seriously so that the score truly reflects a student's current level of math preparedness and knowledge. Outside resources and calculators are not permitted. Dishonesty during the MPE may result in improper placement, putting a student in a course they are not adequately prepared to take. Read RIT's Academic Integrity Policy. If you took the AP Calculus AB or BC Exam, you are still required to take the MPE.

Advisors will use both your MPE score and your program requirements to determine where you will be placed.

MPE Score Course Placement Course Title Note
No minimum score MATH-101  College Algebra   
At least 35% MATH-131 Discrete Mathematics  
At least 35% STAT-145 Introduction to Statistics I  
At least 45%  MATH-161 Applied Calculus  
No minimum score MATH-171 Calculus A Completion of the MPE is required.
At least 60% MATH-181 Calculus I  

Instructions for Incoming Spring Freshmen

The Math Placement Exam will open on October 15. Follow the instructions below or check your RIT email.

In order to achieve appropriate math course placement for the spring semester, you may be required to take the online Math Placement Exam (MPE). Refer to the FAQs below for the list of programs that are required to take the exam. You are strongly encouraged to complete the exam before December 15. The exam deadline is January 5. Complete the exam as soon as possible; your academic advisor is waiting for your score!

Be sure to take the exam seriously, as it will affect your course schedule for the first 1-2 years at RIT.

Action Item: Complete the exam before January 5

NOTE: Information for new fall freshmen will be shared in spring of 2024.

Instructions for Incoming Transfers

The Math Placement Exam is required for some transfer students, depending on your major and incoming transfer credit. If you are required to take the Math Placement Exam, you will receive an email notification to your RIT email with detailed instructions. You will need to activate your RIT email account as soon as possible by using the instructions provided by RIT to the personal email address you used when you first applied.

Action Item: Activate your RIT email account

Math Placement Exam Instructions

NOTE: BFA degrees are not required to take the Math Placement Exam.

Read all of the instructions below before starting the exam.

1. Activate your RIT computer account and RIT email. You will not be able to complete the Math Placement Exam without setting up your RIT email account first. (See RIT Account Activation below for more information)
2. Click on the Math Placement Exam (MPE) link here.
3. Login using your RIT username and password.
4. You must complete the Instructions first and then the Trial Quiz before taking the Math Placement Exam.
5. For both the Trial Quiz and Math Placement Exam, proctor is the username and password.

Important Information
The MPE is a timed exam - you will have 90 minutes to complete it. The exam must be completed in one sitting, it CANNOT be paused. For more information on Disability-Related Accommodations, refer to our FAQs below "How do I receive extended time on the exam?"

The use of calculators, textbooks, or other outside materials is NOT PERMITTED. We highly suggest using pencil and paper to work out the problems.

RIT Account Activation
You will receive an account activation email from RIT when your enrollment deposit has been received and posted to our system. Allow 1-2 business days for deposit payment processing. The account activation email will go to the email address supplied on your admissions application. For detailed account management information contact the RIT Service Center.

Retaking the Math Placement Exam (MPE)

If you are planning to retake the Math Placement Exam (MPE), make sure you review your high school math topics. Math Placement Exam covers Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Functions, Trigonometry, and Precalculus topics. You can use any available resources, including your high school materials to prepare for the MPE retake.

You are allowed one exam re-take but encouraged to study independently before re-taking the exam, to help improve your score. There is a minimum 72-hour cool-off period between exams. To request access to the exam re-take, email us after the cool-off period.

Action Item: Review your high school math topics before retaking the exam

Optional RIT Math Placement Exam Prep

If you would like to use a more specific MPE study guide, the Academic Success Center has prepared an independent MPE math review, called RIT Math Placement Exam Prep. The RIT Math Placement Exam Prep is designed for students accepted to majors requiring Calculus I in the Fall semester of their first year at RIT. Students need a minimum score of 60% on the MPE to be placed in Calculus I.

MyMathTest is an online testing and placement tool that assesses students’ strengths and knowledge gaps. MyMathTest offers an easy and user-friendly online assessment system that can be tailored to students’ educational needs.

RIT is not affiliated with MyMathTest in any way, but for the reasons specified above we chose this platform to prepare the MPE study guide. MyMathTest is not free and the $14.99 fee gives students access to the online materials provided by the MyMathTest. RIT does not benefit from referring students to it nor does it charge any additional fees.

WHAT IS Math Placement Exam Prep Guide?
This is a self-paced review designed to help you prepare to retake the Math Placement Exam (MPE). It is not monitored by any math instructors/tutors. There are 15 quizzes in the guide.

Quiz #1: Equations in One Variable
Quiz #2: Linear Equations in Two Variables
Quiz #3: Inequalities
Quiz #4: Exponents
Quiz #5: Radicals
Quiz #6: Polynomials
Quiz #7: Functions
Quiz #8: Geometry
Quiz #9: Basic Trigonometry
Quiz #10: Trig Identities
Quiz #11: Graphs of Functions
Quiz #12: Quadratic Functions
Quiz #13: Trigonometric Functions
Quiz #14: Inverse Trig and Trig Equations
Quiz #15: Exponential and Log Functions

Each quiz has 6 questions. The quizzes are not timed and can be taken multiple times.

Additional information:
• If you have questions regarding your RIT math course placement, refer to the curriculum tab on the appropriate undergraduate college degree webpage.
• If you have questions regarding taking the Math Placement Exam, email here.
• If you have questions regarding the set-up of the quizzes or formatting of the questions, email here.
• If you are concerned about being adequately prepared for a college-level math class, you can schedule a Math Assessment with the Academic Success Center. The ASC is open over the summer and you can schedule a virtual Math Assessment meeting.

Enrollment Instructions:
The RIT Math Placement Exam Prep is accessible online through a platform called MyMathTest. The MyMathTest access is $14.99 and it is paid during the registration process.

The instructions to enroll in MyMathTest can be found here. The RIT Math Placement Exam Prep contains a set of 15 short quizzes you can use to determine what specific topics you should focus on when preparing to take the MPE. If you have any additional questions about the MyMathTest or RIT Math Placement Exam Prep, email Justyna Oldziej.

Math Placement Exam FAQs

College

Program Code

Plan/Major

College of Art and Design (CAD)

UIAS

Motion Picture Science (DIGCIME-BS) and Photographic Sciences (PHIMTEC-BS)

College of Engineering Technology (CET)

UCST/UCST5

All Undergraduate Programs

College of Health Science and Technology (CHST)

UHST

Biomedical Sciences (BIOMED-BS)
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) (DMSO-BS)
Exercise Science (EXRSCI-BS)
Dietetics and Nutrition (NUTR-BS)
Nutritional Sciences (NUTRSC-BS)
Physician Assistant (PHYA-BS)

College of Liberal Arts (CLA)

UCLA

All Undergraduate Programs

College of Science

UCOS

All Undergraduate Programs

Golisano College of Computing & Information Science (GCCIS)

UCIS/UCIS5

All Undergraduate Programs

National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID)

UTID

ASL-English Interpretation (ASLINT-BS), Community Development and Inclusive Leadership (LEAD-BS)

Kate Gleason College of Engineering

UCOE

All Undergraduate Programs

Saunders College of Business (SCB)

USCB

All Undergraduate Programs

Interdisciplinary Programs (INSTD)

UINT

Applied Arts and Sciences (APPLAS-BS), University Exploration Program (UNIVST-UND)

NOTE: BFA degrees are not required to take the Math Placement Exam.

  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Functions
  • Trigonometry
  • Precalculus

Yes, you should still plan on taking the Math Placement Exam. Your home department will determine if the course you took will transfer in for credit towards your degree and affect your placement.

Yes, you are still required to take the math placement exam (MPE). However, we are glad you took the AP exam and your score will certainly be used to help determine the appropriate credit received and your placement in a course. Academic departments use both AP scores and MPE scores to determine placement.

No. Although your SAT/ACT score may have been used for admissions purposes, it is not used for placement into a calculus course.

The exam is currently open for continuing and incoming students who are eligible. Continuing students can mail examasst@rit.edu to request access to the MPE. New students who are entering for spring 2024 will receive instructions in their RIT email. Students entering in fall 2024 will receive more information in spring of 2024.

No. The placement exam is a diagnostic tool for initial placement only. It has nothing to do with your grades and will not appear on your transcript. However, statistics show a strong correlation between success and following the recommendations of the School of Mathematical Sciences based on your score on the placement exam.

No. The purpose of the exam is to test your skills and knowledge of mathematics, not your ability to use calculators. If you use a calculator or anything else as an aid on the placement exam, your course placement may not be an accurate indication on what course you should begin your mathematical studies. We want you to begin in the course that most suits your academic needs.

This test is not about passing or failing; it's about finding out where you should start so that you have the very best chance to succeed at RIT. When you take the Math Placement Exam, your mathematical skills are simply assessed. Your score indicates to the School of Mathematical Sciences and your home department where you should begin in mathematics courses.

You will be not be registered for a math course, or you will be dropped from such a course unless you have successfully completed the prerequisite course at RIT.

Disability-Related Accommodations for the MPE: Any student requesting accommodations for the Math Placement Exam needs to work with the RIT Disability Services Office to coordinate accommodations in advance of the test. The process to apply for accommodations is explained here. It is important to note that the accommodations approval process can take several weeks in some cases, so advance planning and communication with DSO is critical. Once accommodations are approved by DSO, the student must email to notify the MPE coordinators of their approved accommodations. Before beginning the test, students should await a confirmation that their accommodations are in place from the MPE coordinators.

Yes, you are allowed one exam re-take. You are encouraged to study independently before re-taking the exam, to help improve your score. There is a minimum 72-hour cool-off period between exams. To request access to the exam re-take, email us after the cool-off period.