University of Hawai'i at Hilo's
Math Placement

Important Advising Announcement:
Change in policy for admitting students into introductory Math classes.

Beginning Fall 2006, including early registration, in an attempt to better match students with those introductory Math courses for which they are prepared and have a high probability of success, all students wishing to enroll in Math 103, 104F, 104G, 104, 115, 205, or 206, must satisfy one of the following:

1. Student has completed the prerequisites for the course at the college level; or
2. After taking the Math Placement Exam, the student has been assigned a Math Placement Score (MPS) by the UHH Math department sufficiently high to enter the course.

Note: Prerequisites and MPS for these courses are listed below. Banner will NOT allow students who do not satisfy 1 or 2 above to register, at least that is the plan.

For those students who do not satisfy the prerequisites, and hence must take the Math Placement Exam, their MPS will be assigned by the department at the time of their Exam, and will be based on the Math Placement Exam, and as much additional information as is available regarding past performance indicators including Math SAT and high school math performance.

This new policy DOES NOT apply to enrollment in Math 100, 107, 108, 121, or courses above 206. Students wishing to enroll in these math classes may do so as before, with no restrictions.

In order to accommodate the students within this new requirement, the Math department intends to:

1. Offer the Math Placement Exam during each semester (during the open hours of the Math Lab in College Hall 5) and the orientation period that preceeds them (See the Advicing Center's page on Placement Exams for exam times during orientation). No appointments are necessary, but students need to bring with them their UHH ID#.
2. Advise students on the spot once they've completed the exam, and assign a Math Placement Score.   Math faculty will have student Math SAT scores on record (within Banner), and students will be advised to [verbally] provide information regarding their high school performance (last two math classes taken in high school, and grades).
3. Upload the Math Placement Scores into BANNER within 24 hours, hopefully much sooner in most cases, and students will then be allowed to register online as with any other course, for those courses for which they are authorized.

The prerequisites and Math Placement Scores for these restricted courses are:

Math Placement Exam
ACT COMPASS

Currently we use the mathematics portion of ACT COMPASS, which is a computer-based adaptive program that will determine your math readiness as it relates to the course offerings at UHH.

Taking the test

• The COMPASS test is a computer-based test with multiple-choice questions on pre-algebra, algebra, college algebra, functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and trigonometry.
• No sign-up is necessary!
• A picture ID, student ID number (or SSN) and a pen or pencils are necessary for taking the test.
• The COMPASS test usually lasts about 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how well and fast you can answer the questions. Indeed, the software adapts to each exam taker's skill level, so it is impossible to tell exactly how long it will take you. The questions vary according to your answers to the previous questions.
  TIP: if you want to have ample time, come in early within a testing session.
• A calculator is optional. If you want to bring a calculator, a scientific calculator (with exponential and trigonometric functions) will be enough. If you do not bring a calculator, you can use the scientific calculator built into the software (ask the proctor if you need help using it).
• No food or drinks are allowed in the computer labs where the test takes place.
• The COMPASS test is NOT pass/fail, it is simply a tool to determine an appropriate math course in which a student is prepared to succeed at UHH (other academic departments may require the test and use its results according to their own policies).
• When you are finished with the test, print your results and show them to the proctor for interpretation.
• If your major is such that you could take MATH 100 (Survey of Mathematics) to satisfy all its math requirements, then you may not need to take the test. Contact your academic advisor, the math department (see below) or ask the exam proctor before starting to take the exam. Among the majors for which MATH 100 does NOT suffice are: Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, Marine Science, Business, Economics, Mathematics and Astronomy (this list is not necessarily complete!).

Topics covered in the test

Depending on your knowledge and skill level, the COMPASS exam may test you in areas ranging from pre-algebra to trigonometry. Do not be intimidated by the range of topics. Try to do your best so that you are placed as accurately as possible.

Among the topics that you may encounter are:

Pre-Algebra

• Basic operations with integers
• Basic operations with fractions
• Basic operations with decimals
• Exponents
• Ratios and proportions
• Percentages
• Conversions between fractions and decimals
• Multiples and factors of integers
• Absolute values of numbers
• Averages (arithmetic means)
• Order concepts (greater than; less than)
• Estimation skills
• Number theory
• Counting problems and simple probability

Elementary Algebra

• Substituting values in algebraic equations
• Setting up equations in given situations
• Basic operations with polynomials
• Factoring polynomials
• Solving polynomial equations by factoring
• Formula manipulation and field axioms
• Linear equations in one variable
• Exponents
• Linear inequalities in one variable

Intermediate Algebra

• Rational expressions
• Exponents
• Systems of linear equations in 2 variables
• Quadratic formulas
• Absolute value equations and inequalities

Coordinate Geometry

• Linear equations in 2 variables
• Distance formulas in the plane
• Graphing conics (circle, parabola, etc.)
• Graphing relations in the plane
• Graphing systems of equations & functions
• Midpoint formulas

Trigonometry

• Trigonometric functions and identities
• Right-angle trigonometry
• Trigonometric equations & inequalities
• Graphs of trigonometric functions
• Special angles (multiples of 30 and 45 degrees)
• Polar coordinates

Since students are usually only allowed one opportunity to take the COMPASS test, until it is next offered, review of the subject should be done prior to testing. Sample questions for the COMPASS examination can be found on the ACT COMPASS web site (UHH is not responsible for the contents of external sites, and the presence of this link does not constitute an endorsement of the content of the site to which it points to).

Click here to go back to the Mathematics Department's Web Page.

Page updated: Thursday, August 14, 2008 3:29 PM HST