Math Placement Assessment Tips and Registration.

Your first math class is a stepping stone toward your degree. Take the placement assessment with confidence, knowing it’s here to help you find the best first math course for your success.  You will succeed if you:

1. Review the material for the test.  You may not have done similar problems in a long time.  The online portal contains modules for review and below are listed free online resources to help you prepare.

2. Take the test when you have sufficient time to complete it.  You must complete each of the 90-minute parts in a single session.  You cannot stop and restart an assessment once you have started it.  

3. Are focused and at your best.  Turn off other websites and concentrate on your work.  Have a snack and drink handy in case you need them.  Do the work when you are well-rested. 

Math Assessment Online Portal

Have questions or concerns?  Online information sessions about the math placement test will be held in early April. Check back here for dates and times.  You can also email Jennifer Pearce jpearce@rwu.edu chair of the Department of Mathematics and Physics for more information. 

The skills tested include those found in a typical algebra or precalculus course, but students may not have used them recently.  You may find it beneficial to review some concepts. Problems on the test include, but are not limited to,:

  • Solving quadratic equations, including those with imaginary (complex) roots
  • Solving cubic equations
  • Factoring equations
  • Solving inequalities
  • Evaluating radicals
  • Graphing functions
  • Trigonometry
  • Laws of sines and cosines
  • Logarithmic and exponential functions
  • Systems of equations

Modules for practice are available through the online assessment portal. Your work in them will not change your score on the assessment.  You can use this open source algebra and trigonometry text available through OpenStax as a resource.  Other websites such as Wolfram U and Khan Academy offer free online tutorials on the material on the test. 

Both parts of the assessment are multiple choice and automatically graded.  First take the 25 question Algebra assessment. This will, in part, determine if College Algebra is the best course for your first semester.  If you are not initially placed into College Algebra, then take the 30 question Functions assessment.  You must finish each part once you start it, but you can take the two parts on different days.  Your number correct on each part determines the course you are placed into.

If you do not do as well as you would like, you can practice and retake the assessments.  The retake will open later in the semester.  Watch your email for a notification. 

To take the RWU Math Placement Assessment, please follow the directions below. 

  1. Go to the login screen. Click on "Create an Account". 
  2. On the registration screen:
    1. Enter first and last name in the appropriate boxes. 
    2. Enter your email address. This should be an email account that you monitor regularly and does not need to be your RWU email address. 
    3. Enter you RWU student ID number.  
    4. Select your own password, using at least five characters. Do not use spaces or punctuation. 
    5. Retype your password on the “Confirm” line. 
    6. Click on “Submit.” 
    7. NOTE: Please write down your login and password. If you need two sessions to complete your testing, you will need to use the same log in and password to log into the second session. 
  3. You are back in the login screen. Your information has been filled in automatically. Click on “Log in”
  4. Click the enroll in a class box.
  5. Check the box for RWU Placement Assessment-2025 click on Register and Confirm.
  6. Click the RWU Placement Link and the assessments and practice modules will populate.
  7. Once you are ready, you can click on Assessment Tools and the RWU Algebra Assessment. Remember: once you start, you must finish the entire assessment.  You cannot start and return to the exercises. 
  1. At the end of your algebra assessment, click on “Submit Assignment” to submit your algebra test.
  2. If you have answered all of the questions, you will receive a message of a Math 117, College Algebra placement or a message instructing you to continue to the Functions Placement.  
  3. If you have already placed into Math 117, College Algebra you do not need to complete the Functions portion.
  4. If you have left some of the questions blank, you will be given another chance to review those questions before final submission. If you do not wish to return to these questions, click on “Submit” again and the test will be submitted.
  5. You can now sign out of the online portal and return later to take the Functions assessment if you would like. 

Your placement results will automatically be sent to RWU. 
 

If you receive a message instructing you to continue to the Functions placement assessment, you can choose to do the exercises at the same time or at a later date.  Remember you must finish the assessment once you start.  Take a break first, if you need it!

If you logout and return to the online portal, do not make another account.  Use the same login information as you did for the Algebra Assessment.  Once you are finished, click “Submit Assignment” as before.  Your scores will be automatically sent to RWU.

Congratulations!  You have finished the Math Placement Assessment!