Whittier College Math
Placement Exam
Whittier College Math
Placement Exam
Overview: The exam is a series of 7 short exams, each covering a particular area of mathematics. These areas are described through one of the links below. The first five (5) of these exams are required to achieve a ''QL - Pass''. This is required of all Liberal Education students admitted as Freshmen in Fall 2005 or later. Students must successfully complete these first five by their Junior year, or before enrolling in a Communication I (QL) course. That is, if you wish to register for any Math or Communication I (QL) course, you must take AND pass the first 5 category tests by the time you register for classes. You should take the test as early as possible.
All the information you need for the test as well as the Communication I requirement may be found on this page, or through one of the links below. Please review all of this information! In fact,
...it is strongly advised that you add the link to this webpage to your "favorites" list on
your internet browser, until you have completed the Communication I requirement!!
Note: NEW COURSE: We now offer Math 74, "Transition to College Mathematics". This course best serves students who i) have difficulty with the Placement Test, and ii) intend to study Liberal Arts more than Math / Science / Business. Passing this course allows immediate entry into either Math 75 or Math 80 without pre-requisite placement test scores.
This is analogous to Math 76, which best serves students who i) have difficulty with the Placement Test, and ii) intend to study Math, Science, or Business. Passing this course allows immediate entry into either math 81 or Math 85, without pre-requisite test scores.
Neither Math 74 or Math 76 qualify as Communication I (QL) courses under the Liberal Education curriculum. They are, rather, preparatory for such courses.
You are exempt from the placement test (and in fact have completed your Liberal Education: Communication I requirement if you:
i) Have earned a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus or AP Statistics test, or
ii) Have taken a college level math course which is equivalent to a Whittier College Communication I course.
iii) Pass Math 76, allows you entrance to Math 81 or Math 85 without taking the Placement Test
iv) Pass Math 74, allows you entrance to Math 80 or Math 75 without taking the Placement Test
Important!! Student's registration is blocked each semester until the each of the first 5 test categories, which have not yet been passed, are attempted, or until you qualify for one of the exemptions listed above.
WHEN to take the test ...
Placement Test Sessions - Fall 2007 -
Thursday, November 1, 4pm - 7pm, in Science 102
Sunday, November 4, 2pm - 4pm, in Science 102
Tursday, November 6, 4pm - 6pm, in Science 102
Thursday, November 8, 4pm - 6pm, in Science 102
Sunday, November 11, 2pm - 4pm, in Science 102
... or just drop by CAS. If I'm in my office, you can take the test in the CAS computer area.
The exam is given on campus in 102 of the Stauffer Science Building (''102 Science''). This is on the ground floor. The Science Building is the large 4 story white building on Earlham Drive. It's number 33 on the WC Campus Map.
Email Questions to jmiller@whittier.edu
A few important informational links:
Sample Exams for every test category
The 7 Placement Test Categories and topics covered
Math Placement Test Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (Coming Soon)
Communication I (QL) Courses, and Required Exam Scores