Math Placement Exam (MPE)

Course Information | Academic Advising | General Education | Math Placement Exam | AP/IB/Clep & Transfer Credits | Maryland Marching Band and Ensemble Repertoire Orchestra | ROTC | Changing Your Major | Textbooks

Take the MPE | About the MPE | Retaking the MPE | DSS Accommodations | Practice MPE | Additional Math Resources

Take the Online MPE

Click here to link directly for the to the MPE log-in page.

• Log in using your directory ID/password
  • If you have not activated your directory ID/password, visit: http://www.oit.umd.edu/new/student.html
  • Click Start here, to go to the "Identity Verification" page.

If you experience problems with the online MPE, please contact place@math.umd.edu.

Please note: MPE results will be distributed and reviewed at orientation.
When enrolling in Freshmen Connection you should select a Math course based on your intended major. An advisor will review your math course selection based on your MPE score and intended major. If there are any concerns, you’ll be contacted via e-mail.

Please note: The Math Placement Exam is now available. Use the above link to access the exam.

About the MPE

The Math Placement Exam (MPE) is a math assessment that all incoming Maryland freshmen must take. The MPE consists of 67 questions covering four main areas: arithmetic, algebra I, algebra II, and trigonometry. Testing takes place online. It is a timed test and is broken into timed sections. The breakdown is as follows:

You may take each part separately—meaning that you can take breaks between sections.

Non-graphing calculators are allowed. The exams are scored and the results post to your student record within 48 hours. Your academic advisor uses this information to finalize your Freshmen Connection enrollment form.

All students in Freshmen Connection must take the MPE even if you do not enroll in a math course for the fall semester. Your Freshmen Connection Enrollment form will not be processed until the results of your on-line MPE have posted to your student record.

For certain majors—College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences and A. James Clark School of Engineering—math course enrollment is based solely on MPE scoring and not earned SAT or Advanced Placement scores.

Retaking the MPE

You’ll have the option of re-taking the MPE after 30 days have passed. You’ll only be able to take the MPE once before the beginning of the fall semester. In the event you do not place into your preferred MATH course even after taking a retest, you are strongly encouraged to enroll in the following review course:

• MATH003 Developmental Mathematics: For students who plan to take MATH110, MATH111, MATH113, MATH115, or STAT100.

To have the MPE reset, after 30 days send your full name and University ID number (UID) to place@math.umd.edu with a request to have the MPE reset. Once you retake the MPE, you must contact the Freshmen Connection office (fc@umd.edu) to review your new placement.

DSS Accommodations

Students who receive testing accommodations must contact Disability Support Services (DSS) at the University of Maryland and make arrangements to take the paper test. The on-line MPE is not available to students who receive accommodations for testing.

TDSS—Testing Service Centers:

• Once you have contacted DSS, please submit your Freshmen Connection enrollment form and attach a note indicating the date that you will be taking the MPE with DSS.
• Your enrollment will not be finalized until you have taken the MPE but you will not be penalized for any delay with regard to your testing accommodation.

Practice MPE

The following practice Web sites are designed to assist you in preparing for the MPE:

• Practice on-line math assessment exam, click here.
• Additional MPE practice questions and information, click here.

Additional Math Resources

The Math Department has an online Test Bank where prior years’ syllabi, exams and exam solutions can be viewed. If you anticipate bringing in credit for MATH140 and your intended major requires MATH141, we strongly encourage you to visit the Test Bank and review MATH140 exams and the course syllabus to see if you understand all of the course content. Only after doing this should you enroll in MATH141.