Policies and Procedures

The Department of Mathematics offers the Mathematics Diagnostic Test (MDT) to provide opportunities for STEM students to be placed at the highest possible level in their calculus sequence, and it is also utilized to determine the appropriate course level for non-STEM students who change their major to STEM. The MDT is used to ascertain eligibility for enrollment at a higher level, starting from MATH 105 to MATH 150A and MATH 255A. It is a free proctored test that must be taken at CSUN within two months preceding enrollment in the courses.

The MDT utilizes ALEKS Placement, Preparation, and Learning (ALEKS PPL), an online platform. After the completion of the initial assessment, students will have guided practice problems and one practice diagnostic test. A maximum of three attempts of proctored tests can be taken, and the highest obtained score on these attempts will be used to determine placement. The diagnostic test consists of 30 problems, and students have 3 hours to complete the test.

The summary of qualifying scores can be found in Table 1 below.

Students must register online for the MDT via the Department of Mathematics website. The first attempt of the proctored test will be offered to students, upon request, no earlier than one week after their registration.

Prerequisite Mathematics Courses

Prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of “C-” or better, unless otherwise stated. The specific minimum prerequisites for Calculus and Calculus preparatory courses are listed in Table 1 below. Students who have passed the prerequisite of a class at another college or university must enroll in the lab of the subsequent class.

Table 1. Course Placement and Requisites

Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB/BC Credit

Students earn credit for MATH 150A with a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB exam or a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam.

Students earn credit for both MATH 150A and MATH 150B with a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB exam and a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam. Both exams must be completed; an AB subscore from a BC exam attempt is not sufficient to grant credit in both courses.