Purpose
The Mathematics Placement Service is for new freshmen and new
transfer students who have been accepted to Michigan State University.
Its purpose is to place these students into the mathematics courses that are
most appropriate for them. The Mathematics Placement Service results
will not affect the status of a student's admission to Michigan
State University.
Process
To access the Mathematics Placement Service, you must first set up your MSUNet Id.
When you are ready to take the exam, you will need:
- Your MSUNet Id and your MSUNet password.
- A modern web browser such as version 5.5 (or better) of Internet Explorer
or version 1.5 (or better) of FireFox on a computer that has full Internet
access.
- If you would like to see the mathematics in the exam displayed in the best
possible way, you might have to modify your web browser. For details,
go to [Best Display].
You should complete your use of the service:
- Within one hour.
- Without using a calculator, books, or any other reference material.
- Without the help of another person.
Answer each question as carefully and as correctly as you can, but DO NOT GUESS!
Dishonesty of any kind while taking this exam (including failure to follow
the preceding instructions) can only result in your placement into a course in
which you are extremely unlikely to succeed.
Once you submit your answers, your score will be be displayed automatically on the
final page of the exam.
You may use the Math Placement link on the left-hand side of this page to interpret
your score as an MSU math course placement. (A link to this page is also provided
on the last page of the exam.)
Use the SISInfo link on the left-hand side of this page to review your score(s)
at any time. (The appearance of a new score in SISInfo could be delayed by a day or so.
The duration of this delay depends on the vaguaries of inter-system computer communication.)
If you would like to improve your placement, it is possible to avail yourself of
the Service a second time after a four-week waiting period, and even a third
time after another four-week waiting period. (Please use the waiting period(s)
to improve your mathematical skills.) The details of each of your attempts
are permanently recorded and all are available to your advisors.
Access to the MPS exam terminates with the occurrence of the earlier of the
following two events (which usually coincide):
- Your first official enrollment at MSU.
- The start of your MSU Academic Orientation Program (AOP) session.
To guarantee that your exam results are available to your advisors, you should
complete your LAST use of the service at least three (3) days before the start
of your AOP session.
Other Important Issues
For more details regarding issues mentioned above, and for
answers to questions about other issues related to the MPS exam, please visit
our list of [Frequently Asked Questions].
Samples
A comprehensive sample of the topics addressed by the Math Placement
Service, together with many practice problems, can be found in the
[MSU Math Diagnostic Exam]. Anyone may view the MSU Math
Diagnostic Exam; you need not be admitted to Michigan State University to do so.
If, before taking the actual Math Placement Service Exam, you would like to
see a short sample of the format used by the actual exam, please visit the
[MPS Exam Format Sample]. Only students
eligible to take the actual exam may access the MPS Exam Format Sample.
We strongly recommend that all eligible students try the MPS Exam Format Sample before
attempting the actual exam.
Actual Exam
If you have your MSUNet login information and you are ready to have your placement
in mathematics determined by the Mathematics Placement Service now, click
[Actual Exam].
|