Mathematics Placement Test Information

The Mathematics Placement Test (MPT) is administered to all incoming freshman and transfer students who do not bring an advanced placement or college-level transfer credit for a mathematics course to Barton College. The test covers topics from Pre-algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus. The MPT consists of 40 questions, and students will have 60 minutes to complete the test.

The first 20 questions cover material in a standard Algebra I course. The next ten questions cover material in a standard Algebra II course, and the final ten questions cover material from pre-calculus.

Practice Test (PDF) Test Solutions (PDF) Math Placement Test FAQs

Students are strongly encouraged to take the practice placement test prior to their attempting the MPT. Detailed solutions to the practice test may be found here.

While the use of a calculator is permitted, the use of one is not necessary to complete the test. Communication devices such as cell phones and other electronic devices, such as iPods, cannot be substituted for a calculator, and they will need to be powered off during the placement test. Students must bring their own calculators if they plan to use one. Calculators may not be shared during the test, nor are they provided by the College. The TI-84 series calculators are used in the mathematics courses taught at Barton College. Note cards, formula sheets, etc. are not permitted for the placement test.

The first mathematics course a student takes at Barton College is determined by the scores on each of the three parts of the test as indicated in the table below:

Questions Student Score First Mathematics Course at Barton
1 – 20 Below 14 MTH 100 Fundamentals of Algebra
1 – 20 14 or above MTH 120 Survey of Mathematics
21 – 30 Below 7 OR MTH 130 College Algebra
1 – 20 14 or above MTH 150 Trigonometry and Advanced Algebra Topics
21 – 30 7 or above OR MTH 210 Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics
31 – 40 Below 7 OR MTH 250 Statistical Concepts
1 – 20 14 or above MTH 170 Calculus I – Differential Calculus
21 – 30 7 or above OR MTH 210 Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics
31 – 40 7 or above OR MTH 250 Statistical Concepts

A student may take the MPT a second time, within six months of the original attempt. Students cannot repeat the test more than twice. The MPT is administered during Orientation and prior to pre-registration during the fall and spring semesters.

Freshman students are required to begin their first mathematics courses no later than their third semester of enrollment at Barton College.

Transfer students are required to begin their first mathematics courses no later than their second semester of enrollment at Barton College.