Math Requirements and Placement

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Math Placement

Mathematical knowledge is an important part of many fields and careers.  The type of math you take will depend upon the major you have chosen.  You can take an active role in your mathematical training!  Practicing math works much like learning a new language, an athlete focusing on strength and conditioning, or a musician preparing for a performance.

Math placement is a tool to demonstrate your knowledge so you do not have to take, or retake, courses with previously learned material. It is crucial that you review and practice the content on the placement so your result is most representative of your ability.

We prepared materials to guide your practice with access to workshops, one-on-one peer tutoring, and videos for your use. 

Preparing for and Taking Math Placement

Frequently Asked Questions

Two Math Requirements at RIC

Math Milestone

The math milestone is a requirement that must be completed within your first 30 attempted credits at the college. It can be satisfied with an appropriate placement (Level 1 or higher) on math placement or by successfully completing Math 010. The math milestone can also be completed by transferring in the equivalent of a RIC math course.

The math milestone must be completed before registration into courses in mathematics, biology, chemistry, economics, etc.  

General Education – Math

All students must also complete a course listed under the math category for general education.  Some majors require a certain math course which may require a prerequisite other than the math milestone. For a list of placements, please review the "What are the placements?" question in our frequently asked questions.

Preparing for and Taking Math Placement

Math Placement Practice Series

Whether you've struggled with math or it is your favorite subject, it is crucial that you practice before taking math placement. To focus your studies, we've created a series of practice materials so you can refresh or learn the content, practice the content, and then practice recalling the content (which informs whether you are ready for placement). 

  1. Stage 1: Learn/Refresh – Refresh your knowledge to determine solutions and write out the steps, checking your understanding along the way.  
  2. Stage 2: Practice – Practice similar problems to apply your knowledge. Use your notes from step 1 to work through challenging sections and check your answers!
  3. Stage 3: Recall – Put away your notes and try to recall the process for solving problems. It is better to struggle during your practice than when you are taking math placement.
  4. Stage 4: Final Practice – Before taking the proctored math placement, you are encouraged to take the online practice. This may only be attempted once and is not scored, but it will give you a feel for the placement site, entering answers, timing, etc.

Need a Higher Placement?

If your major requires a higher placement as a prerequisite to certain math or science courses, you can use the advanced placement practice to prepare for math placement. One of our frequently asked questions answers the question "Which majors require a higher placement?" 

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Math Placement Prep Workshop

This two-night workshops (beginning in June) will cover the topics in the practice series. Each night, notes and practice content will be provided by the facilitator. You will have the opportunity to work on math problems, work with other students, and ask questions.

Register for a Workshop

If you are looking for more practice for advanced placement (precalculus or calculus), one-on-one peer tutoring is recommended.

Peer Tutoring

Register for one-on-one peer tutoring. To make the most out of your session, identify questions or problem types you'd like to work on.

Schedule Peer Tutoring

Please Note: You will need to create an account using your RIC email. Login to the Math and Computer Science Tutoring schedule and use the "Limit to" drop-down menu to select "Math placement".)

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Schedule In-Person Math Placement with Proctor

To take math placement with a proctor in-person, you must register for a time in MyRIC. Dates and times are added regularly.

  1. Log into MyRIC > RIC Student Homepage > Student Center (or New to RIC) > Math Placement
  2. Click the magnifying glass
  3. Select an available time/date
  4. Click Save in the lower left corner
  5. You should receive a confirmation to your RIC email, but it may take time to deliver

Register on MyRIC

Math placement scheduling is done on MyRIC.

MyRIC

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Take Virtual Math Placement With Proctor Any Time

To take math placement virtually, you need blank paper, a writing utensil, a photo ID, a proper workspace, and proper attire.

When your workspace is prepared and you have the necessary materials:

  1. Click I'm Ready for Placement
  2. Then click 'Connect to Proctor' and follow the on-screen instructions to enter your information, and wait until a proctor joins you

Please Note: Virtual placement proctoring is on-demand, meaning when you click the link you are planning to take math placement at that time. Proctoring may not be available on a U.S. Holiday.

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Math Placement Retake

All students are allowed one retake on math placement.

There is a one-month waiting period before you may retake math placement. During that time, we encourage you to prepare using our practice materials. If you'd like to meet with a tutor to go over any questions from the material you can Schedule Peer Tutoring. (You will need to create an account in WCOnline using your RIC email address to schedule tutoring.)

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Request Accommodations for Math Placement

To request accommodations for math placement (such as extra time, a reduced distraction location, or the use of assistive technology), follow the steps outlined at Requesting Accommodations with the Center for Disability Access (CDA). After the CDA team receives your CDA New Student Application and supporting disability documentation, you will be invited to a meeting to discuss your needs and determine your eligibility for accommodations.

Students intending to use accommodations should refrain from scheduling math placement until their accommodations are approved, as students are only permitted two total placement attempts. Also, please note that due to the nature of math placement, calculator use is not considered a reasonable accommodation.

Once your math placement accommodations are approved, email Megan at mdibonaventura@ric.edu to ensure they are in place. For more information, email CDA at cda@ric.edu or call CDA at 401-456-2776.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is very important that students begin their college mathematics coursework at the appropriate level, and math placement helps to facilitate this. Without math placement, students begin their journey at Level 0 and must successfully complete Math 010.  By taking math placement, students can demonstrate their prerequisite knowledge and place directly into courses that they can be successful.

A completed math milestone is the prerequisite for courses in many disciplines. This impacts first semester course registration in majors like: Nursing, Medical Imaging, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science, Elementary Education, etc.

Please note that although this may not be the course required by your major, successful completion should adequately prepare you for the required course(s).

Course Placements

  • Level 0: Math 010 (non-credited course necessary to satisfy the math milestone. Taking math placement is not necessary to enroll in this course.)
  • Level 1: Math 120, 139*, 143, 240* (Placing in this level or greater means you have successfully completed the Math Milestone.) 
    You also meet the prerequisite for Biol 100, Biol 111, Biol 201/202, Chem 103, Chem 110, Chem 121, Csci 102, Csci 157, Econ 214, and Econ 215
  • Level 2: Math 177*, Math 209*
    You also meet the prerequisite for Phys 101 and Phys 110
  • Level 4: Math 212*​

​*Math course that satisfies the General Education Mathematics requirement.

Major (Course that requires higher placement in major)

  • Accounting (Math 177)
  • Artificial Intelligence (Math 212)
  • Biology (Math 209/212, Physics 101)
  • Biotechnology (Math 209/212, Physics 110)
  • Chemistry (Math 209/212, Physics 101)
  • Computer Science (Math 212)
  • Data Science (Math 212)
  • Economics (Math 177)
  • Math (Math 212)
  • Medical Imaging (Physics 110)
  • Speech & Language Pathology (Physics 110)
  • Physics (Math 212, Physics 101)
  • Minor: Data analytics (Math 177)

If you wish to demonstrate prerequisite knowledge and satisfy the math milestone without taking Math 010, then you should take math placement.  You need your result before you can be preregistered for your first semester courses, so it is important that you dedicate time to practicing for math placement.

Students opting not to take math placement or who place into Level 0 will begin their math courses by taking Math 010 (no credits towards degree) to satisfy the math milestone. This should be completed in the first year at RIC.

If you earned college credit for Precalculus or Calculus by passing the AP exam, you do not need to take math placement. You have the equivalent of a Level 4 placement.  

If you earned college credit for Statistics by passing the AP exam, you do not need to take math placement.  You have the equivalent of a Level 1 placement.  If you are attempting to register for a course that requires a higher placement, you may opt to take math placement to demonstrate prerequisite knowledge.

In either scenario, be sure to have your scores sent to RIC for the appropriate credits.

If a student earns transfer credit for a course that is exactly equivalent to a RIC math course, they will have satisfied the math milestone. They may choose to take math placement if they are attempting to register for a course that requires a higher placement/prerequisite than for which they have credit.

A transfer student who has not earned college credits equivalent to a RIC math course can choose to take math placement to determine their initial math course. Students opting not to take math placement will begin their math courses by taking Math 010 (no credits towards degree) to satisfy the math milestone.

If you have questions about your math transfer credits, please email Megan at mdibonaventura@ric.edu. Please include your RIC ID number, the name and number of the math course taken, and the college from where the credits were earned. 

Absolutely! It is important to refresh your math knowledge before taking math placement so the result is most representative of your ability.

Review Our Practice Materials

Upon completion of the exam, you will be placed into your initial mathematics course. Your placement will appear on the screen. Scores are uploaded to MyRIC within 24-48 hours of completing the placement and an email is sent confirming your results.

All students may retake math placement once, following a two-month waiting period. This time should be used to practice your math skills to improve your placement on your final attempt.

Yes! To request accommodations for math placement (such as extra time, a reduced distraction location, or the use of assistive technology), follow the steps outlined at Requesting Accommodations with the Center for Disability Access (CDA). After the CDA team receives your CDA New Student Application and supporting disability documentation, you will be invited to a meeting to discuss your needs and determine your eligibility for accommodations.

Students intending to use accommodations should refrain from scheduling math placement until their accommodations are approved, as students are only permitted two total placement attempts. Also, please note that due to the nature of math placement, calculator use is not considered a reasonable accommodation.

Once your math placement accommodations are approved, email Megan at mdibonaventura@ric.edu to ensure they are in place. For more information, email CDA at cda@ric.edu or call CDA at 401-456-2776.

Rhode Island College entrance

Questions?

Megan DiBonaventura

Assistant Director Academic Success Center/Math Learning Lab