This is an archive of the 2018-2019 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, Please visit catalog.csun.edu.

Mathematics Placement Test (MPT)

The Mathematics Placement Test (MPT) is a CSUN test, which is used to determine eligibility for enrollment in MATH 102, 103, 104, 105, 150A and 255A. The MPT must be taken within the year preceding enrollment in the courses. Students have 90 minutes to complete the test. It can be taken only once in a 3-month period. The MPT does not replace the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) or equivalent* requirement, but it is used in addition to the ELM or equivalent* to determine eligibility for enrollment.

The MPT exam consists of 31 intermediate algebra problems and nine trigonometry and logarithm problems. The score in the algebra portion (abbreviated ALG) will be used to place students into MATH 102, 103, 104 and 105. For placement into calculus, MATH 150A or 255A, both the algebra and the trigonometry and logarithm scores (abbreviated TR) will be used.

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

Students must register online for the Mathematics Placement Test at least one week prior to the test date. Space is limited, and registration closes when capacity has been met. See the Testing Center website for test dates, the test fee and registration information. The website also describes the type of payment accepted, identification required, other test regulations that must be followed, the qualifying scores required for specific CSUN Math classes and how to obtain scores.

Students are advised to visit the Mathematics Diagnostic Placement Testing website and take the free online sample tests to help prepare for the CSUN MPT.

Prerequisite Mathematics Courses

The University entrance requirements (2 years of high school algebra and 1 year of geometry) are the basic prerequisites to all Mathematics courses. Additional prerequisites may be listed in the course descriptions that follow. 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 are only conditionally prepared for a course may not enroll in that course unless they have credit for or concurrently enroll in the accompanying lab course. 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 Prerequisites

Course Fully Prepared Conditionally Prepared Lab Course
MATH 102 College-level GE credit in a non-algebra or calculus math course
or 16 in ALG section of MPT
Eligible for GE mathematics
or credit in MATH 196S (requires MATH 091B corequisite)
or passing score on or exemption from the ELM Exam*
or 14 in ALG section of MPT
or credit in MATH 093
MATH 102L
MATH 103 College-level GE credit in a non-algebra or calculus math course
or 16 in ALG section of MPT
or 68 on ELM*
Eligible for GE mathematics
or credit in MATH 196QR or MATH 196S
or passing score on or exemption from the ELM Exam*
or 14 in ALG section of MPT
or credit in MATH 093
MATH 103L
MATH 104 23 in ALG section of MPT
or “B-” in MATH 102
20 in ALG section of MPT
or 74 on ELM*
or “C-” in MATH 102
MATH 104L
MATH 105 19 in ALG section of MPT
or 72 on ELM*
or “B-” in MATH 102
17 in ALG section of MPT
or 68 on ELM*
or “C-” in MATH 102
MATH 105L
MATH 106 College-level GE credit in a non-algebra or calculus math course
or eligible for GE mathematics
or credit in MATH 196S
or credit in MATH 196QR and MATH 091A
or credit in MATH 093
MATH 150A 23 in ALG and 6 in TR sections of MPT
or “B-” in both MATH 102 and MATH 104
or “B-” in MATH 105
20 in ALG and 4 in TR sections of MPT
or “C-” in both MATH 102 and MATH 104
or “C-” in MATH 105
MATH 150AL
MATH 150B “B-” in MATH 150A
or 5 in AP Calculus AB
“C-” in MATH 150A
or 4 in AP Calculus AB
MATH 150BL
MATH 255A 23 in ALG and 6 in TR sections of MPT
or “B-” in both MATH 102 and MATH 104
or “B-” in MATH 105
20 in ALG and 4 in TR sections of MPT
or “C-” in both MATH 102 and MATH 104
or “C-” in MATH 105
MATH 255AL
MATH 255B “B-” in MATH 255A
or 5 in AP Calculus AB
“C-” in MATH 255A
or 4 in AP Calculus AB
MATH 255BL

*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.