Math Placement Examination
Who takes it?
All entering students who have not received transfer credit or Advanced Placement credit for the first calculus course, MATH-101, are required to take the Mathematics Placement (MP) Exam. This includes both new freshmen and new transfer students entering Kettering University.
When?
The MP Exam is activated for new students after the $300 enrollment deposit to Kettering University is paid.
Why take it?
The placement examination has one goal: to place the student in the course which best matches the student's university major and mathematics skill level. Our experience shows that a student’s score on the MP Exam is the most direct and effective indicator of the student’s math skills. Be assured, your score on the MP Exam will not affect the status of your admission to Kettering University.
What about AP Credit?
We realize that students who take their AP Exams in the spring will not receive their exam score from the College Board until the end of June or early July. However, you should take the MP Exam anyway. Your AP Exam score will always take precedence over the MP Exam score.
Process
The MP Examination is administered on-line, prior to the start of your 1st term at Kettering. The MP Exam may be taken at most, twice. If you neglect to take the MP Exam, and you do not have Calculus I credits, you will be placed into MATH-100 - College Mathematics.
Questions about the MP Exam may be directed to: Nancy Stock in the Mathematics Dept., email: nstock@kettering.edu, or 800-955-4464 x7999, (810-762-7999)
Sample Examination:
We provide a sample examination which will give you an idea of the content and form of the questions contained in the MP Examination. To take the practice test, login to Kettering University’s Blackboard system, using the user account provided to you by the Admissions office. The practice exam is located in the lower right corner of the Blackboard screen under “My Kettering Organizations”.
Calculator Usage:
A calculator may not be used while taking the Math Placement Examination. The primary focus of the MP Examination is to assess algebraic and trigonometric manipulative skills and not on calculator or computer proficiency. The examination is structured so that successful completion of the exam will reflect how well a student has retained his or her algebra and trigonometry knowledge and skills.
Cheating:
Dishonesty regarding the MP Exam will result in your placement into a math course that you are unprepared for, and in which you are extremely unlikely to succeed. The last thing you should want to do is be placed into (and pay for) a course that you will most likely fail.
Retake Process:
Students whose placement scores do not match their expectations may retake the MP Exam on-line as a 2nd try. We recommend that you wait at least a week before performing your second try. The better of the two scores will count as your placement score.
Instructions for taking the MP Exam
Download and Install Special Browser: To take the Math Placement Exam, you must first install the Respondus LockDown Browser. This is a secure browser that prevents you from printing, copying, going to another URL, or accessing other applications while taking the test.
Windows Computer
- Open Internet Explorer and enter this URL - http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/information.pl?ID=552814858
- Click on the Windows icon for type of computer to install on
- Choose "Your Own Computer" for type of computer
- Click on Download Installer
- During the installation, select Run if prompted to accept programs from Respondus
- Follow the instructions onscreen to complete the installation.
Mac Computers
- Be sure you are using OSX v10.3.9 Panther or higher
- Open your browser and enter this URL - http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/information.pl?ID=552814858
- Click on the Mac icon
- Choose "Your Own Computer" for type of computer
- Click on Download Installer
- During the installation, select Yes when prompted to run the Java application
- Follow the instructions onscreen to complete the installation.
Take the Test:
After installing the Respondus LockDown Browser, you can take the test.
- Close all programs. (If you are connected to the Internet via a modem - leave the connection program open).
- Locate the LockDown Browser shortcut on the desktop and double click to open it. (Mac users can launch the LockDown Browser from the Applications folder.)
- At the Kettering Blackboard login page enter your user name and password.
- Click on the Courses & Orgs tab.
Mathematics Courses
These are the courses into which a student will be enrolled based on the result of the MP Exam:
MATH-101 – Calculus I
- Students with higher scores on the MP Exam will be placed into this course.
- Students who pass this course will be prepared for MATH-102 the next term.
MATH-101X – Calculus I extra
- Students who score in the middle range and would benefit from extra study sessions are placed into this course.
- Students who pass this course will also be prepared for MATH-102 the next term.
MATH-100 – College Mathematics (Pre-Calculus)
- Students with lower scores on the MP Exam will be placed into this course.
- Students who pass this course will be prepared for MATH-101 the next term.
Options for students who place into MATH-100 College Mathematics
Students that place into MATH-100 College Mathematics have three options:
- Take the MP Exam a second time. The higher of the two scores will then determine mathematics course placement
- Or simply accept the placement and start the Kettering math program in Math-100 College Mathematics
- Or contact the Admissions Representative to sign up for Math-099 Calculus Preparation Essentials
What is Math-099 Calculus Preparation Essentials?
MATH-099 is an online, web-based, five week math course offered to students that want to earn the opportunity to be enrolled into MATH-101X rather than MATH-100. The Five week course offers an intensive refresher on many aspects of pre-calculus mathematics. The Kettering University instructor will help the student to link these pre-calculus concepts to their application in Calculus.
The course mixes video lectures with on-line problem sets, and Includes live conferencing with a Kettering professor as needed. Students will use their Kettering user account to access Blackboard.
When?
For A-section students, the five week class will run from Monday June 03, 2013 ending July 07, 2013. For B-section students, the class will start August 19, 2013 ending September 23, 2013.
What does it cost?
The only cost to the student is the $75 on-line textbook, purchased on the WebAssign site after the class starts.
Is this a “for credit” class?
No, the course is only 5 weeks in duration. It is offered as a zero-credit course, solely for the purpose of getting a student ready for Calculus.
Is it graded?
The student’s grade for the course will be Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Students passing the course with a Satisfactory will be enrolled into MATH-101X Calculus I, for their first term at Kettering. All other students will be enrolled into MATH-100 – College Mathematics.
Can you withdraw after starting?
Students who enroll in MATH-099 and then decide not to take the course may withdraw with no penalty. Inform the instructor of the course of this decision in writing (by email). Your registration in MATH-099 will be removed and this course will not appear on your Kettering course records. You will automatically be enrolled into MATH-100 – College Mathematics for you first term at Kettering.
Other Questions? Questions and more information contact:
Examinations for credit above Calculus I
Kettering offers proficiency exams for students who feel they can demonstrate mathematics skills for MATH-101 and /or MATH-102. A student receiving a passing score on either of these exams will receive course credit and be enrolled in the next Calculus course. The Calculus Proficiency Exams are typically offered on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. of the 1st week of the term. Contact the Kettering University Math Dept. for location details.
Honors Calculus II is available to those students who qualify. See Kettering University Math Dept. for details.
