In-person testing* requires a registration in MyRIC. Times are added monthly.
Virtual testing*, please review the requirements: You will need blank paper, a writing utensil, a photo ID, a proper workspace, and proper attire.
Please check to make sure your testing account has been created. If it does not recognize your RIC ID number, please check back, it typically takes 48-72 hours from the payment of your enrollment deposit.
When your workspace is prepared and you have the necessary materials:
Virtual placement testing is on-demand, meaning when you click the link you are planning to take the test at that time.
*If you receive testing accommodations, they must be confirmed before you sit for the test. To set up accommodations, please see the last question under FAQ.
Preparing for and Taking the Exam
The Math Milestone is a requirement that must be completed within your first 20 attempted credits at the college. It can be satisfied with an appropriate placement on the exam (Level 1 or higher) or by successfully completing Math 010. Transfer students can satisfy the Math Milestone by transferring in a course equivalent to a RIC Math course.
All students must also complete a course listed under the math category for general education. The Math Milestone is a prerequisite for all general education math courses as well as courses in biology, chemistry, economics, etc.
It is very important that students begin their college mathematics coursework at the appropriate level, and the math placement exam helps to facilitate this. Without the placement exam, students begin their journey at Level 0. By taking the placement exam, students can demonstrate their prerequisite knowledge and place directly into courses that they can be successful.
All incoming first-year students must schedule and take their mathematics placement exam prior to attending orientation. This allows students to schedule the appropriate mathematics and/or science course during orientation. Students opting not to take the placement exam will begin their math courses at Math 010 (no credits towards degree) to satisfy the Math Milestone.
No. If you earned college credit for Precalculus or Calculus by passing the AP exam, you do not need to take the Math Placement Exam. You have earned a Level 4 placement.
If you earned college credit for Statistics by passing the AP exam, you do not need to take the Math Placement Exam. You have earned a Level 1 placement. If you are attempting to register for a course that requires a higher placement, you may opt to take the placement exam to demonstrate prerequisite knowledge.
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 the math placement exam if they are attempting to register for a course that requires a higher placement/prerequisite than which they have credit.
A transfer student who has not earned college credits equivalent to a RIC math course must take the math placement exam to determine their initial math course. Students opting not to take the placement exam will begin their math courses at Math 010 (no credits towards degree) to satisfy the Math Milestone.
If you have questions about your math transfer credits, please contact Megan DiBonaventura. Please include your RIC ID number, the name and number of the math course taken, and the college from where the credits were earned.
Students must have paid their enrollment deposit to attend RIC, then there is a 48-72 hour waiting period for the system to update. Once students are matriculated, they can register for the placement exam.
Yes. All students should take the Math Placement Exam prior to attending New Student Orientation.
A minimum of a level 1 placement is required for courses in many disciplines.
Yes, we recommend you review before testing so you can best demonstrate your knowledge of material.
We have practice materials for students looking to meet the college math milestone and earn a Level 1 placement: Guide to Achieve a Level 1 Math Placement
We also have practice materials for students looking for a higher placement (to register for Math 177, 209, 212, Physics 101, 110). The material is not separated by level: All level practice
An online practice test can be attempted once. It is highly recommended that you attempt the online practice exam prior to testing in a proctored setting to get a sense of the answer format, type of questions, and the timing.
The online practice test is not scored and does not count towards your placement.
Please Note: Your account information is loaded after you deposit. Continue to check back sporadically if the system does not yet recognize you. You should not use any outside sources when taking the practice exam (including calculators, text books, people, the internet, etc.) and you should plan to do this all in one sitting. After 30 minutes of inactivity you will be logged out and not allowed back in.
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 test completion.
Please note that although this may not be the course required by your major, successful completion should adequately prepare you for the required course.
*Math course that satisfies the General Education Mathematics requirement.
All students may retake the math placement exam once, following a two-month waiting period that should be used to prepare. To have the two-month waiting period waived, you can complete a two-night workshop that is focused on material from the Guide to Achieve a Level 1 Math Placement
Yes! To request testing accommodations for the math placement exam (such as extra testing time, a separate testing space, 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 taking the exam until their accommodations are approved, as students are only permitted two total exam attempts. Also, please note that due to the nature of the math placement exam, calculator use is not considered a reasonable accommodation.
Once your math placement accommodations are approved, email Megan DiBonaventura to ensure they are in place. For more information, email CDA or call CDA.
All students must complete the Math Milestone to be able to register for college level science and math courses. This milestone can be completed by placing into Level 1 or higher on the math placement exam. We've put together questions you must be able to answer correctly in order to reach a level 1 placement.
After looking at the practice materials, do you have questions? Register for one-on-one peer tutoring. Please come prepared with your work and questions from the practice materials (Level 1 practice or All Level practice) to make the most out of your session.
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 exam".
All students are allowed one retake on the Math Placement Exam.
There is a two-month waiting period before you may retake the exam unless you complete a two-night Level 1 Practice Workshop.
If you are not able to attend the two-night workshop or are looking for a placement higher than Level 1, you can schedule (and attend) three one-hour tutoring sessions. These will not be guided in the same way as the workshop will be facilitated. Schedule Tutoring You will need to create an account in WCOnline using your RIC email address to schedule tutoring.
