Mathematics Placement Test

The Mathematical, Information and Computer Sciences Department at Point Loma Nazarene University is committed to providing students with personal attention to help them succeed in their academic work. We are mindful that students should take the mathematics course that is right for them. To avoid students enrolling in a course in material that they have already mastered, we require each student to take a 90 minute mathematics test when they enter the university. The results of this test are typically available in 24 hours and can be used by campus academic advisors to place a student in the appropriate mathematics course for their program of study.

You are permitted to take the Math Placement Test up to a maximum of two times. The recommendation is to take a week between tests to make time to study. If you took the test online as part of Welcome Week, and wish to retake the test, it must be taken on campus after school begins. 

To assist you with test preparation, a list of the material each test covers has been provided below. Use this list and these sample questions to sharpen your skills, review concepts, and practice solving math problems.

The test covers material from the following courses:

  • MTH 0099 (3) Elementary Algebra: An introduction to algebra, including a study of the real number system, solutions of linear and quadratic equations, polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, graphing, inequalities, and radicals.
  • MTH 1013 (3) College Algebra: A review and extension of elementary algebra, solutions of linear and quadratic equations, radicals, inequalities, linear and quadratic functions, polynomial functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and graphing.
  • MTH 1033 (3) Pre-Calculus: An introduction to the functions necessary for the study of calculus with an emphasis on numericals and graphical notions of continuity, limits and derivatives. The following function types are used as examples for the study of the concepts: polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions.

Summer Math Placement Online Test

The Mathematical, Information and Computer Sciences Department at Point Loma Nazarene University is committed to providing students with personal attention to help them succeed in their academic work. That includes providing assistance at the onset of your academic program to take the mathematics course that is appropriate to your course of study. To avoid students enrolling in a course and repeating material that they have already mastered, we require each student to take a 90 minute online mathematics test prior to Welcome Week.

The online math placement test will be available to you May 10-13, 2023. We cannot finalize a fall class schedule for you until you have taken the test, so it is in your best interest to take the test online.

If you did not take the PLNU mathematics placement test May 10-13, 2023, then you need to take it August 10-12, 2023. You will be automatically registered for this test.

On Monday, August 7 you will receive an email with instructions for how to access the test. To take the test you must use Internet Explorer or Firefox as your web browser and you must have Java script and pop-ups enabled during the time that you are taking the test. 

Reviewing scoring information will be conducted via workday. Make sure you have created your workday account at your earliest opportunity. If you need help with workday please contact PLNU Admissions at (619) 849-2273. The results of the test are generally available 72 hours after the end of the testing period and will be used for placement in the appropriate mathematics course for your program of study. Please note that if a new student does not take the Math Placement Test August 10-12, s/he will take it in person Thursday afternoon, August 24. A change in class schedule may occur, based on the student's score on the test.

Spring Math Placement Test for Incoming Students

The Mathematical, Information and Computer Sciences Department at Point Loma Nazarene University is committed to providing students with personal attention to help them succeed in their academic work. That includes providing assistance at the onset of your academic program to take the mathematics course that is appropriate to your course of study. To avoid students enrolling in a course and repeating material that they have already mastered, we require each student to take a 90 minute mathematics test before the January New Student Orientation.

The online math placement test will be available to you December 15-22, 2023. We cannot finalize a spring class schedule for you until you have taken the test, so it is in your best interest to take the test online. You will be automatically registered for this test.

On Wednesday, December 13 you will receive an email with instructions for how to access the test. To take the test you must use Internet Explorer or Firefox as your web browser and you must have Java script and pop-ups enabled during the time that you are taking the test.

Please note that if a new student does not take the Math Placement Test December 15-22, s/he will have to take it in person on Monday, January 8 at 10:00am in Rohr Science Room 295.

Reviewing scoring information will be conducted via workday. Make sure you have created your Workday account at your earliest opportunity. If you need help with workday please contact PLNU Admissions at (619) 849-2273. The results of the test will be available January 4th and will be used for placement in the appropriate mathematics course for your program of study. A change in class schedule may occur, based on the student's score on the test.

Test Exemptions

Everyone entering PLNU needs to take this test prior to attending Fall 2023 classes, no matter what course work the student has completed before coming to PLNU. Students who have passed the AP Calculus AB exam or BC exam with a score of 3, 4 or 5 and have sent the score to PLNU before July 31, 2023 (for students starting in the fall), do not need to take the exam.

Some transfer students may be exempt from taking the exam. The exemption depends on the exact type of mathematics that you took before coming to PLNU and your major. Please contact records at records@pointloma.edu to determine if you are exempt.

Academic Accommodations 

Students with disabilities who are seeking accommodations for taking the online placement test should contact the PLNU Educational Access Center at (619) 849-2486, by July 29.

Test Preparation

You should study for the math placement test. Like anything else, if you don't use it, you lose it. If you've been out of math for a year (or even a few months over the summer), a review of mathematical concepts and operations will help you to do your best work. Often students who do not study are disappointed about their low placement. Placing into a higher-level of math class can save you time and tuition money — it is worth a couple hours of practice.

The mathematics placement test covers the following courses: MTH 0099 – Elementary Algebra; MTH 1013 – College Algebra; and MTH 1033 – Pre-calculus for the Sciences. To assist you with test preparation, a list of the topics each class covers has been provided below. Use this list and these sample questions to sharpen your skills, review concepts, and practice solving math problems.

  • MTH 0099 – Elementary Algebra
    An introduction to algebra, including a study of the real number system, solutions of linear and quadratic equations, polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, graphing, inequalities, and radicals.
  • MTH 1013 – College Algebra
    A review and extension of elementary algebra, solutions of linear and quadratic equations, radicals, inequalities, linear and quadratic functions, polynomial functions, and graphing.
  • MTH 1033 – Pre-calculus for the Sciences
    An introduction to the functions necessary for the study of calculus with an emphasis on numerical and graphical notations of continuity, limits, and derivatives. The following function types are used as examples for the study of the concepts: polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions.

Stephanie Krahenbuhl, department assistant, coordinates the Math Placement Test for students. Students may make an appointment with her in person in Rohr Science, Room 230, by emailing skrahenb@pointloma.edu, or by phone at (619) 849-2219.

Her hours are Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Dr. Jesús Jiménez, Professor in Mathematics, is the faculty member in the department who supervises placements.