Math Placement

All students wishing to enroll in a precalculus or calculus course at CU must take the online Math Readiness Test prior to enrolling in a math class. The test score will be combined with other student information to generate one of three possible placements: Calculus, Precalculus, or Not Calculus/Precalculus. We recommend that you take the Math Readiness Test as soon as possible because delaying could impact your ability to enroll in math courses. Results remain valid for one year, so it is recommended that continuing students take the test shortly before the semester in which they plan to enroll in precalculus or calculus.

• A Calculus placement will allow a student to enroll in Calculus 1 (MATH 1300 or APPM 1350 or APPM 1340).
• A Precalculus placement will allow a student to enroll in Precalculus (MATH 1150 or APPM 1235) or Mathematical Tools for Economists 2 (ECON 1088). 

Students are encouraged to review the study materials and work through a practice test before taking the actual test in a distraction-free environment. Please make note of the test conditions:

• The 60-minute Math Readiness Test will consist of 40 multiple choice questions. Students interested in qualifying for Calculus must complete the entire test. Students interested in qualifying for Precalculus may submit the test after completing the first 20 questions. There will be only one correct answer per question. Partial credit will not be awarded.
• The only resources allowed are pencils (or pens) and blank scratch paper. Books, notes, calculators, electronic devices, the internet, and other resources are not permitted.
• New students should complete the exam as soon as possible. The date that you take the Math Readiness Test could impact your ability to enroll in math courses! 
• Test takers who require additional time to complete the test online due to a documented disability should visit Disability Services in the Center for Community, Room N220, email dsinfo@colorado.edu, or call 303-492-8671 prior to taking the readiness test. You will be asked to register for accommodations with Disability Services and provide the appropriate documentation. After you have received disability accommodations for extended time, it is extremely important that you contact mathplacement@colorado.edu before starting the test to activate additional time.
• Important note: When you start the Math Readiness Test, you should plan to complete it in one sitting or your incomplete score will be submitted and you will be locked out. If that happens, contact mathplacement@colorado.edu.

When you are ready, visit this site to take the online Math Readiness Test.

1. Log in using your CU Identikey username and password.

2. On the Enroll in CU Boulder Math Readiness Test page, click Enroll in Course, then Go to the Course.

3. On the Canvas home page, select the course CU Boulder Math Readiness Test.

4. Review the study materials and take the Practice Test.

5. When you are ready, take the official Math Readiness Test. We strongly recommend using the Chrome browser.

Placement results will be available within 3 business days. Students can view their placement results in Canvas under "Grades" or by going to the Buff Portal.

Students who feel they have not been placed in the appropriate math eligibility category based on the Math Readiness Test may take a proctored math placement test to demonstrate their math proficiency. See additional information on this below, and on the New Student & Family Programs Website.

All students are required to take the Math Readiness Test first. Those who would like to improve their placement may attempt a proctored math placement test for another opportunity to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the topics necessary to be successful in precalculus or calculus 1 at CU Boulder. The proctored test score also determines the placement: Calculus, Precalculus, or Not Calculus/Precalculus; it will not make students eligible for Calculus 2.

Summer 2024 registration: For students who have submitted the Math Readiness Test and would like to improve their math placements, an Online Math Placement Test will be offered on Thursday, May 30, 2024. Information about this test can be found on the Proctored Online Math Placement Test page.

Fall 2024 registration: For students who have submitted the Math Readiness Test and would like to improve their math placements, an on-campus Proctored Math Placement Test will be offered on campus in August before the first day of class. The testing registration form will be posted here at a later date.

Important: Students should prepare well prior to taking this test, as it is set up to be taken only once. After completion of the test, math placement results will be emailed within 2 business days. You can find more information about placement assessments on the New Student & Family Programs Website. 

For students wishing to qualify for Precalculus, another option is the Math Readiness Prep Course. See below for additional information.

For students hoping to qualify for Precalculus, we recommend completing the Math Readiness Prep Course which will review topics from algebra and analytic geometry. Successful completion of this course will allow you to take the Online Proctored Math Placement Test immediately for a possible placement of Precalculus. This Prep Course is for students who have submitted the Math Readiness Test and did not qualify for Precalculus or Calculus. It is also for students who would like to review algebra and analytic geometry before submitting the Math Readiness Test.

All students who will be taking a precalculus or calculus 1 course at CU must complete the Math Readiness Test, with the following exceptions:

• Successful completion of prerequisite coursework at the college level (either at CU Boulder or via approved transfer).
• Successful completion of the AP Calculus AB or BC test with the requisite exam score.

EXCEPTION: All incoming first-year Engineering students must complete the Math Readiness Test regardless of previous math college credit (transfer, dual enrollment, AP/IB). This is because Engineering students are pre-enrolled in some of their courses in June, including coursework which may be dependent on the Math Readiness Test score.  Missing the deadline to take the Test could affect a student’s ability to enroll in classes needed in the first semester.  We need this score in our systems because these pre-enrollment processes start before AP/IB/Transfer credits post to student records.  Engineering students with subsequent transfer/AB college credit for calculus will be eligible to revise their mathematics class and course schedule during their enrollment window in July/August.

All incoming students are encouraged to consult their academic advisors for help in selecting an appropriate math course.