Math Assessment Test
Guidance for newly admitted engineering freshmen
Introduction
Freshmen admitted to the Dwight Look College of Engineering
are required to take a math assessment test (http://mathassessment.tamu.edu),
which is designed to give our academic advisors the best data
so they can give students good advice. The purpose of this
page is to provide guidance in interpreting the math assessment
test scores and to help in planning the student Fall course
schedule.
Incoming freshmen entering engineering programs at Texas
A&M are faced with a very important decision: Which MATH
course should you take first? The math assessment test is
designed to help answer this question.
Since the course has no prerequisites, any incoming student
can choose to take MATH 151 (Engineering Mathematics I), the
first required engineering math course, but our experience
indicates that a significant fraction of our incoming freshmen
are not adequately prepared for this course. The math assessment
test is designed to identify incoming students who may be
at risk of making a D or F in this course if taken in the
first semester. For this group of students, which can represent
30% of our incoming freshman class, another course is recommended
(usually MATH 150 - Functions, Trigonometry and Linear Systems)
to better prepare these students for MATH 151.
Interpretation of Math Assessment Test Scores
To interpret your math assessment test score, you will need
the following data:
- Your math assessment test score (total, maximum possible
33) and
- Your highest SAT Math score (math component score on SAT
test, maximum possible 800). The ACT Math score can also
be used in place of the SAT Math score.
First, print the Math Placement Nomograph.
Next, on the axis labeled “Math Assessment Test”,
plot your math assessment test score. On the axis labeled
“SAT Math” plot your SAT Math score (or ACT Math
score). Draw a straight line between the two points. Locate
the point where that line intersects the axis labeled "Vertical
Axis". If this point falls within the top region labeled
“MATH 151”, your scores indicate you are probably
well prepared for this course. If this point falls within
the region labeled “MATH 150”, your departmental
academic advisor will probably advise you to begin with MATH
150. Students with scores that fall below the MATH 150 region
should discuss this decision at some length with their departmental
advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Math is my best subject in high school, and I
even took an AP calculus course. How can I believe this
recommendation that I need to first take a pre-calculus
course?
First: EVERY engineering student can probably claim that
math was his/her best subject; that’s probably why
they are choosing to study engineering, and not English
literature. Not every one of these students is ready for
the MATH 151 class. The mathematics sequence at TAMU is
very fast paced and challenging. In addition, only engineering
students (generally well prepared, bright and hard working)
are enrolled in this class. A significant fraction of them
do not pass this course. While our assessment and advising
processes are not perfect, students who have followed the
advice given earned a satisfactory grade in the first math
class 89% of the time. Students who insist on taking a more
advanced course than was recommended earned a satisfactory
grade only 45% of the time.
- If I take MATH 150 the
first semester, will I be a semester behind?
No, students will take only one course that is not required;
the other courses will be required courses. So you will
be at most one course behind. But our experience indicates
that students who are advised to take MATH 150 but choose
instead to take MATH 151 often have to drop this course
or receive an unsatisfactory grade.
- Will taking MATH 150 delay my graduation?
This represents one extra course; it should not delay graduation
a whole semester. On the other hand, taking a course you
are not ready for can lead to lower grades, even failing
grades, and delays.
- Are the results of the math assessment test binding?
| Can I just register for MATH 151 instead,
even though my advisor recommends MATH 150?
Your advisor’s recommendation is just advisory;
you can choose to disregard it. But that recommendation
is based on our extensive experience with freshmen - your
experience is very limited. We train young engineers to
make rational decisions based on sound data and engineering
experience. Starting your academic career any other way
is not a good idea.
- I already have AP credit (or dual credit) for
Calculus I. Can I be exempted from this test?
No, all incoming students are required to take this test.
(Humor us, the data will help us better advise all our incoming
students!)
- Can I take the Math Assessment test during my
new student conference?
Yes, but students are encouraged to take the math assessment
test before coming to a new student conference. If students
are not able to take the test before their new student conference
they can take the exam in one of the open access computer
labs on campus during the new student conference. There
is no specific time in the conference schedule for students
to take the math assessment test, so they will need to make
time to take the test on their own. Students are reminded
NOT to skip any mandatory sessions during the new student
conference.
Please check our Frequently Asked
Questions page for additional answers to general questions
we receive from newly admitted students.
Contact Information
Dr. Jo W. Howze
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs
Dwight Look College of Engineering
Engineering Student Services and Academic Programs Office
204 Zachry Engineering Center
3127 - Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-3127
Phone: (979) 845-7200
Email: essap@tamu.edu
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