Entry Level Mathematics Exam (ELM)

The ELM Examination assesses entry-level mathematics skills that CSUN expects entering students to have acquired in 3 years of rigorous college preparatory Mathematics coursework (Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II). All entering CSUN undergraduates must take the ELM Examination, with the exception of those who present proof of one of the following:

1. Successful completion of the Early Assessment Program (EAP);

2. A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the College Board SAT I Reasoning Test or on the College Board SAT II Mathematics Test Level IC or IIC;

3. A score of 23 or above on the American College Testing (ACT) Mathematics Test;

4. A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Calculus AB, Calculus BC or Statistics Examinations; or

5. Completion and transfer of a course that satisfies the General Education–Breadth or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Quantitative Reasoning requirement, provided such course was completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Successful completion of the ELM Examination or a grade of credit in the appropriate developmental mathematics courses is one of the requirements for enrollment in most university-level Mathematics courses at CSUN, as well as CHEM 100 and 103, and PHSC 170. ELM exemption based on SAT, ACT or Advanced Placement Test scores, as listed above, also will meet this requirement. However, students who wish to qualify for enrollment in university-level Mathematics courses at CSUN on the basis of a transfer course can do so only if the transfer course is an approved mathematics course above the level of intermediate algebra.

Liberal Studies majors who are Credential candidates should be aware that the ELM requirement must be met in order to enroll in either MATH 210 or 310. A transfer course equivalent to MATH 210 will not enable students to enroll in MATH 310 at CSUN unless they also have met the ELM requirement for enrollment.

Mathematics Placement Test (MPT)

The Mathematics Placement Test (MPT) is a CSUN test used to determine eligibility for enrollment in MATH 102, 103, 104, 105, 150A and 255A, and must have been taken within the year preceding enrollment in these courses. The MPT does not replace the ELM requirement, but is used in addition to the ELM to determine eligibility for enrollment.

Part I of the MPT consists of questions from intermediate algebra. Part II of the MPT consists of questions on trigonometry and advanced topics from intermediate algebra (precalculus). A qualifying score on Part I is required for entry in MATH 102, 103, 104 and 105.

Qualifying scores on both Parts I and II are required for entry into MATH 150A and 255 A.

A summary of the qualifying scores can be found in Table 1 below. Visit the Testing Center website at www.csun.edu/testing for registration information, required qualifying scores and test dates.

Table 1. Course Prerequisites