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Mathematics & Computer Science

Math Placement Exam Objectives

Current Testing Schedule

The following Math Placement Exam testing times will be offered this fall:

Welcome Week 2005 Testing
Friday, August 26, from 2:00 to 3:30pm
* Calc/Precalc in CC125 and CC119
* El Ed in AC246

Second Day of Classes
Wednesday, Aug 31, 4:05 - 5:15 in CC325

Bring a pencil. No calculators allowed. No registration necessary.

Calculus and Precalculus Placement Exam Objectives

Students registering for Precalculus are responsible for part I, "Algebra Basics," and part II,"Functions - Basics," objectives 1 and 2. Students enrolling in Calculus are responsible for all objectives.

Algebra Basics

  1. Apply properties of simple interest.
  2. Factor simple polynomials.
  3. Simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions (including rational expressions)
    • Distributive, Associative, and Commutative Properties
    • Laws of Exponents (including negative and fractional exponents)
  4. Solve equations (linear, quadratic, and systems).
  5. Apply order of operations.
  6. Multiply polynomials.
  7. Compute distances in the plane.
  8. Apply the Pythagorean Theorem.
  9. Graph linear equations.
  10. Determine linear equations (slope-intercept, point-slope, point-point)
  11. Solving systems of equations

Functions - Basics

  1. Definition of function
  2. Domain and range
  3. Composition of functions
  4. Piecewise defined functions
  5. Inverse functions

Families of functions

Students should be able to
  1. Understand and apply basic properties;
  2. Recognize graphical representations; and
  3. Identify simple transformations (i.e. shifts, reflections, and stretches/compressions) for the following types of functions:
    • Linear functions
    • Quadratic functions
    • Polynomial functions (degree> 2)
      • (especially roots and behavior)
    • Rational functions
      • (especially domain, range and asymptotes)
    • Exponential functions
      • (especially definition and laws of exponents)
    • Logarithmic functions
      • (especially definition and laws of logarithms)
    • Trigonometric functions
      • (especially basic definitions, special values of unit circle, degrees to and from radians, and Pythagorean Identities)

Sample Problems

You may read these in your web browser, or right-click and save the link target as a file. You will need a pdf reader (like Adobe Acrobat) to view the file.

Math for Elementary Education Placement Exam Objectives

Bethel's MAT201M placement exam targets just a handful of essential non-calculator skills that students are assumed to have mastered prior to enrollment in college-level course work. You may be a little rusty at a few of the skills, so you are encouraged to spend some time preparing for this placement exam. Helpful information relative to these topics can be found in the MAT201M textbook (A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary Teachers - 8th Edition, by Billstein, Libeskind, and Lott), or in books reserved at the Bethel Library (Basic Mathematics, by Lawrence Trivieri; Pre-Algebra, by Alan and Carol Wise; and Essential Mathematics, by Linda Pulsinelli and Patricia Hooper). Also, teaching assistants are available in the Math Lab to assist you with your specific placement exam needs.

The Placement Exam Objectives

Without the aid of a calculator, the student should be able to:
  1. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide reasonably simple rational numbers (integers, fractions, decimals).
  2. Identify place values and interpret meanings of digits in base-ten numerals.
  3. Round decimal numerals to requested place values.
  4. Compare and/or order decimal numerals and/or fractions.
  5. Convert fractions to decimals and terminating decimals to fractions (or mixed numbers).
  6. Simplify fractions and convert improper fractions to mixed numerals (and vice-versa).
  7. Find a percent of a number.
  8. Read a customary ruler (to nearest 1/16 inch) and a metric ruler (to nearest 0.1 cm).
  9. Simplify numerical expressions using order of operations. These may involve addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponents, roots, and parentheses.
  10. Evaluate simple functions in one variable using order of operations. These may involve addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponents, and parentheses.
  11. Solve simple equations in one variable (using axioms of arithmetic and equality).
  12. Compute areas and perimeters of common geometric shapes (triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles).

*Placement Exam Policies