Students who applied to UT for Fall 2024 admissions (Engineering, Environmental Science, and Geosciences only) receive access to the UTMA at no cost. Please do not attempt to purchase the math package. More information here:
The UTMA for currently enrolled UT students will open again in December 2023.
UT Math Assessment (UTMA)
The UT Math Assessment (UTMA) is exclusively used for placement in calculus courses taken at The University of Texas at Austin.
The UTMA is a proctored, online exam that determines calculus and pre-calculus course placement. This assessment is proctored via video, must be taken in one sitting and will function on most devices. Calculators are not permitted, and results are available in 24 hours.
Students may take the UTMA during their senior year of high school for admissions purposes in the fall, before attending orientation once admitted to UT, and during the academic year once enrolled at UT.
UTMA scores are valid from the day you take the exam to May 1st, and all scores will annually reset on May 1st.
Students are permitted to take the UTMA twice, and there is a required 24-hour waiting period to retake the UTMA.
Who needs to take the UTMA
College of Natural Sciences first-year freshman students, regardless of AP or IB high school credit, must take the UTMA. Some students in other colleges and schools also must take the UTMA.
Non-CNS students may be exempt if they are a new, incoming freshman and:
- Have AP or IB test scores or transfer/dual-enrollment credit sufficient to claim credit for first semester calculus
- Scored 30 or higher on the ACT Math, or 670 or higher on the SAT Quantitative within the past year*
- Have credit for M 305G (Preparation for Calculus) with a B- or higher.
Students can provide unofficial documentation showing that they meet any of the above exemptions by uploading documents to the math ombudsperson for review.
*April 1, 2022 until present (Applies to both ACT and SAT scores.)
Non-CNS students are required to take the UTMA if:
- You are in the Cockrell School of Engineering and were contacted by Engineering Student Services with next steps indicating you are not exempt. Students who are NOT exempt will be required to take the UTMA. Engineering students need to refer to their MyStatus instructions for the UTMA.
- You are planning to enroll in calculus and do not meet the exemption requirements for non-CNS students but instead are a student:
- in the Jackson School of Geosciences,
- in the McCombs School of Business (additional new student information here),
- in the College of Liberal Arts (e.g., majors in economics and/or B.S. psychology)
- You are a continuing UT student. UTMA exemptions apply only for newly admitted students. UTMA exemptions do not apply for continuing students.
CNS Students are exempt only in very limited circumstances: Incoming CNS Students may be exempt if they are (i) international exchange students or (ii) former Texas Academy of Math and Science students. Students who graduate from TAMS having completed the equivalent of M 408D, M 408M, or M 361K are exempt from the UT Math Assessment.
UT Math Assessment Accommodations
The UTMA has been designed to be as universally accessible as possible. The test is untimed and can be completed using personal devices/technology, therefore reducing the need for most individualized accommodations. Calculation is a skill being tested as part of the UTMA so calculators are not permitted on the exam. If you have a disability and have accessibility concerns about the UTMA, please contact readiness@cns.utexas.edu. Students may also contact Disability and Access for information on accommodations and accessibility services at UT.
Technology Requirements
The UTMA can be taken on a computer, a tablet or your smartphone. Our online proctoring technology requirements are:
- Webcam
- Microphone
- Any standard up-to-date web browser
Academic Integrity
Please use academic integrity for the UT Math Assessment provided by the University's Honor Code. A fundamental principle for any educational institution, academic integrity is highly valued and seriously regarded at The University of Texas at Austin. More specifically, you and other students are expected to maintain absolute integrity and a high standard of individual honor in scholastic work undertaken at the University.
Information for New Students
For new, incoming students, the UTMA is included in the $50 Math Readiness Package. Also included in the Math Readiness Package are learning modules, the required UTMA warmup assessment, testing directions for the UTMA and access to the package’s content. This online learning resource ensures that you take the calculus course that aligns with your knowledge and will give you the best opportunity for success.
To get started, you will need to purchase the Math Readiness Package and follow the "Click to Download" link in your electronic receipt. This will take you to the learning modules and warm-up assessment. You will also have access to revisit modules where improvement is possible to continue to hone your calculus skills. Please plan to spend a significant amount of time practicing in the learning modules before your assessment.
The Math Department will notify students who have not met the prerequisite requirement via Secure Academic Note (SAN) prior to the start of the semester for students enrolled in M 305G, M 408C, M 408K, M 408N, M 408R, M 408Q.
If you need additional support, please send us an email with your EID and concern: readiness@cns.utexas.edu
Information for Continuing Students
The following UTMA information is for students who are currently enrolled beyond their first semester.
UTMA scores are valid from the day you take the exam to May 1st, and all scores will annually reset on May 1st.
UTMA exemptions are valid for your first year of college, and all exemptions will annually reset on May 1st.
To help you determine if you need to take the UTMA, use the tool “Do I need to take the UTMA?”
Optional $50 Math Readiness Package:
Current UT students have the option to prepare for the UTMA with the Math Readiness Package that includes the online warm-up assessment and learning modules. However, it is not required to purchase the Math Readiness Package.
If you decide to purchase the Math Readiness Package, you can get started by following the "Click to Download" link in your electronic receipt. This will take you to the learning modules and warm-up assessment. You will also have access to revisit modules where improvement is possible to continue to hone your calculus skills. Please plan to spend a significant amount of time practicing in the learning modules before your assessment.
FAQs
Who must take the UT Math Assessment?
- All College of Natural Sciences new, incoming, first-year students, with the purchase of the Math Readiness Package.
- Non-CNS students should meet with their academic advisor at Orientation to discuss if they are recommended to enroll in calculus at UT.
- Current UT Austin students who are enrolled in M 305G, M 408C, M 408K, M 408N, M 408R, or M 408Q for the upcoming semester must take it. However, current UT students are not required to purchase the Math Readiness Package.
Current UT Austin students who have credit for M305G or the equivalent don't need to take the UTMA.
Why must I take the UT Math Assessment?
Upon completion of the assessment, your results will be available within 24 hours, and your academic advisor will review your results to make appropriate recommendations for course registration.
What score is required to place into calculus?
A score of 70 or above is required to place into calculus: M 408C, M 408K, M 408N, M 408R, or M 408Q.
A score between 55-69 is eligible for placement into precalculus: M 305G.
If you are unable to meet the required score after your second attempt, please contact your academic advisor to discuss your course schedule and options.
Where do my UT Math Assessment and scores appear?
Your results will be available within 24 hours, and your academic advisor will review your results to make appropriate recommendations for course registration. Your results are verified by the Mathematics Department before the semester begins, and you will be notified by the Mathematics Department if you do not meet the prerequisite requirement.
Is there a cost for taking the UT Math Assessment?
New, incoming students must purchase $50 the Math Readiness Package, which includes the UT Math Assessment. More information about additional materials included in the Math Readiness Package is in the next question.
For current UT students, there is no cost to take the UTMA.
What if I do not obtain the required score?
If you do not receive the required score on the first attempt, you will be able to take the UTMA a second time. If you are unable to meet the required score after your second attempt, you will not be able to take calculus and will be dropped. Be sure to contact your academic advisor to discuss your course schedule and options.
What math is covered in the online Math Readiness Package?
The online Math Readiness Package includes a warm-up assessment providing guidance on areas in which you should practice. After completing the warm-up assessment, you will work through Learning Modules in topics including: Algebra, Exponents and Polynomial Functions, Rational and Radical Functions, Trigonometry, and Exponential and Logarithmic Functions.
Do I have to complete the Math Readiness Package modules before I can take the assessment?
The learning modules are for your benefit. After you complete the warm-up assessment, a link will be added to your profile within a few days to take the online, proctored, UT Math Assessment.
What do I need and what am I allowed to use while taking the UTMA?
You will need a working webcam and microphone in order to take the UT math assessment, and you must uphold the UT Honor Code of integrity. The assessment should represent an honest reflection of your current math abilities and will place you in an appropriately rigorous class. Using any assistance (Googling, calculators, class notes, advice from others, etc.) during the UTMA is considered cheating and will result in your score being invalidated. You are allowed to use scratch paper and pen/pencil for the UTMA.
What if I'm having technical issues?
Please email Quest support with your EID and screenshots of the issue at questhelp@austin.utexas.edu.
How long is my UT Math Assessment score valid?
UTMA scores are valid from the day you take the exam to May 1st, and scores will annually reset on May 1st.
However, if you took the UTMA as part of your admissions application to UT, your score is valid for your freshman year.
How long is my UT Math Assessment exemption valid?
UTMA exemptions are valid for your first year of college, and all exemptions will annually reset on May 1st.
Do I need to take the assessment before attending my scheduled new student orientation session?
All new, incoming CNS students are required to purchase the Math Readiness Package and complete the UTMA before their new student orientation session.
Non-CNS students in another college can wait until after discussing their fall courses during their academic advising meeting at orientation. Students can enroll in a calculus course during orientation without a UTMA result.
Can I retest?
Yes, if you do not receive a score that places you in the calculus course that you wish to enroll in, you will have one reattempt of the UTMA.
There is a required 24-hour waiting period to re-take the UTMA.
If an emergency prevents me from taking the assessment before my orientation, who should I contact?
Please email: readiness@cns.utexas.edu
What do I do for Duo / Two-Factor Authentication Issues?
If you have questions or are having problems with Duo two factor authentication please click here to learn how to troubleshoot common issues.
If those don't resolve your issue you will need to contact the ITS help desk at 512-475-9400.
Will I be dropped from my calculus class if I do not have the required UTMA score?
Yes. Students are able to register for calculus without the required UTMA score, however, you must have the required UTMA score to remain registered. The Math Department will email warning notices to you if you do not have the required UTMA score, and drops occur the week before classes start.
Contact Us
Please send us an email with your EID and concern:
Students: Always include your UT EID in your messages.