Math Placement Requirement

Effective September 1, 2008, the Department is enforcing new Mathematics Placement Requirements (MPR) for MAT 12, 16A, 17A, 21A, 21AH, 36, or 67. Updated cut-off scores for the Precalculus Diagnostic Exam, as well as changes to the minimum grades noted under the Class Requirement column, are outlined in the chart below.

The department's Mathematics Placement Requirement (MPR) may be waived for students with sufficiently high scores on calculus AP exams or mathematics SAT scores. These guidelines are very useful in assisting you in determining the appropriate first mathematics class to take at UC Davis.

Specifically, the MPR is waived when one of the following conditions is met: (a) Advanced Placement Calculus AB exam score of 4 or 5; (b) Advanced Placement Calculus BC exam score of 3, 4, or 5; (c) a score of 700 or above on the Mathematics section of the SAT Reasoning Test; or (d) in either of the SAT Mathematical Subject tests (Level 1 or Level 2) a score of 700 and above.

Unless you qualify for a waiver based on your AP or SAT scores (see the paragraph above), you must satisfy the MPR if you wish to enroll in MAT 12, 16A, 17A, 21A, 21AH, 36, or 67, as outlined in the following tables:

Students, who enroll in one of the above classes without satisfying the MPR, and who have not obtained a waiver based on their AP or SAT scores, will be administratively dropped from the course no matter what anyone else, including an adviser or an instructor, may have told them. No exceptions to this policy are permitted

More information on the Pre-Calculus Diagnostic Exam, including dates for the exam, review materials, and review workshops, can be found on the Learning Skills Center web page. The exam can usually be taken twice per quarter at the beginning of the Fall and Winter quarters. However, it is only offered once at the beginning of the Spring quarter.

Note that the above cut-off points are MINIMUM TOTAL SCORES. If you have a score that is less than 30 points for MAT 16A or less than 40 points for MAT 21A, you should seriously consider enrolling in Math 12 to strengthen your algebraic and trigonometric skills prior to taking calculus. This is particularly important if you feel that you are weak in these areas and not merely "a bit rusty" with your basic math skills. Don't hesitate to discuss this with your major adviser, instructor, or the staff of the Learning Skills Center.

The effects of improper placement in a mathematics class can be difficult to reverse. If you score below 25, you should consult with your major adviser to discuss your options, including the possibility of registering in a Workload course (WLD 055M) or other college-level mathematics course such as MAT B (Elementary Algebra) or MAT C (Trigonometry).

If you have passed a precalculus course at a community college or at another college or university which is equivalent to MAT 12, please visit with a representative at the Student Services Office in the Mathematical Sciences Building, Room 1130. An unofficial copy of the transcript verifying your grade will be required at that time.

Preparation Tips
If you wish to prepare for the Diagnostic Exam, there are several self-help booklets available for purchase at the UCD Bookstore such as: Mathematics Preliminary Examinations, Cliffs Quick Review — Pre-Calculus, and Super Review — Pre-Calculus. Each of these books contains explanations and practice exercises that cover most of the topics that you will be tested on, including Rational Expressions, Polynomials, Functions, Word Problems, Trigonometry, and Linear Equations and Inequalities.

And if you are on campus, you may want to stop by the Learning Skills Center and take advantage of the following workshops: Review Series in Algebra and/or Review Series in Trigonometry. Both of these are offered at the beginning of each quarter.