Math placement at Orientation 

Math placement information will be included with your Orientation Confirmation letter. If you decide to take the placement test, please bring state-issued photo ID and graphing calculator  and arrive prior to your orientation start time as indicated in your confirmation materials. Results will be ready immediately after testing.

Who should I take the Math Placement Exam?

  1. Students who have not taken a college-level algebra or calculus course. We do not accept Math placement results from other institutions.
  2. Students who have not taken algebra within the past few years and do not feel ready to move up to the next level of required Math.
Mathematics Requirements at Grand Valley State University
 
Mathematics Placement for Transfer Orientation Students
 
You may need to come early to transfer orientation to take a mathematics proficiency test. Please read this information closely to find out!
 
All undergraduate students graduating from GVSU must meet two mathematics requirements: the Basic Skills Mathematics requirement, and the General Education – Mathematical Sciences requirement. 
 
The Basic Skills Mathematics requirement can be met by successfully completing MTH 110. For transfer students, it can also be met in one of the following ways:
    • Pass the MTH 110 proficiency test.
    • Transfer credit for MTH 110, 122, 123, 125, 201, 202, 203, 225 or 302.
    • AP credit for MTH 201 and/or 202. (Score of 3 or higher required.)
    • CLEP credit for MTH 122 or 201.
The General Education – Mathematical Science requirement can be met by completing a course in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or philosophy, from the approved list: STA 215, CS 160, PHI 103, MTH 122, MTH 123, MTH 125, MTH 131, MTH 201, or MTH 221. This is separate from the Basic Skills requirement.
 
During transfer orientation, a decision needs to be made whether or not you should sign up for MTH 097, MTH 110, a higher-level mathematics or statistics course, or no mathematics course.
 
  • If you have satisfied the Basic Skills Mathematics requirement described above:
    • You probably do not need to come early and take a proficiency test. However, if your major is in the sciences, you will probably be signing up for courses that have MTH 122 (College Algebra) and/or MTH 123 (Trigonometry) as pre-requisites. If you are not transferring those courses in, you can come and take the MTH 122 and 123 proficiency tests, if you want to demonstrate your knowledge of pre-calculus and get pre-requisites waived.
 
  • If  you have not satisfied the Basic Skills Mathematics requirement described above:
    • You are strongly encouraged to come early and complete the MTH 110 proficiency test in order to meet that requirement, rather than enroll in MTH 110.
    • Otherwise, you will be signing up for either MTH 097 or MTH 110. We will allow you to choose which course you sign up for, based on the following:
    • If you never took a college-level mathematics course, or it has been more than three years since you took a college-level mathematics course, you should probably sign up for MTH 097.
    • If you have had recent successful mathematics experiences, but are not transferring in a course that will allow you to meet the Basic Skills requirement, then you should probably sign up for MTH 110.
    • If unsure, talk to an advisor.
 
MTH 097 and MTH 110 Course Descriptions
 
Math 097 – Elementary Algebra: Introduction to topics covered in MTH 110. Designed for students who are unprepared for MTH 110. Credits earned for this course do not count toward the number of credits required for graduation.
 
MTH 110 – Algebra: A symbolic, numeric, and graphic approach to intermediate algebra with an emphasis on applications. Topics include operations, equations, and inequalities of linear, exponential, logarithmic, quadratic, rational, and radical functions.
  Last Modified Date: September 8, 2009
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