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The Mathematics Placement (MP) Examination is for new freshmen and new transfer students entering Kettering University. University policy states that 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 MP Exam.
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/early July. These students should go ahead and take the MP Exam.Your AP Exam score will always take precedence over the MP Exam score.
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. 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.
NOTE 1: The MP Exam will be activated for new students once they have paid their $300 enrollment deposit
to Kettering University.
NOTE 2: Your score on the MP Exam will not affect the status of your admission to Kettering University.
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’ll be placed into MATH-100 - College Mathematics.
Questions about the MP Exam may be directed to: Mike Mosher in the Registrar’s Office, email: mmosher@kettering.edu, or 800-955-4464 x9583, (810-762-9583).
Sample Examination
We are providing a sample examination which will give you an idea of the content and form of the questions contained in the Mathematics Placement Examination. Using the Internet to access Kettering University’s Blackboard system, and the user account provided to you by the Admissions office, you can take the Practice MP Exam. 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 students 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
Special Browser Required
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.
To download and install the browser, please follow the steps below.
Windows Computers
- Open IE (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.
Macintosh Computers
- Be sure you are using OSX 10.3.9 or higher
- Open your browser and enter this URL - http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/information.pl?ID=552814858
- Click on the Macintosh 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.
Taking the Test
After installing Respondus LockDown Browser, you can begin to take the test. To do so, follow the steps below.
- Close all programs except 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. (Macintosh users can launch the LockDown Browser from the Applications folder.)
- At the Kettering Blackboard login page enter your user name and password.
- Once you have logged in, 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 placement examination:
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 an extra study sessions are placed into this course.
Students who pass this course will 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.
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 KU Math Dept. for location details.
Honors Calculus II is available to those students who qualify.
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