What is the UT Math Assessment?
The UT Math Assessment is a one-hour exam that provides information on which calculus course matches student's abilities. Results are available immediately after the exam.
Who must take the UT Math Assessment?
All College of Natural Sciences first year students.
CNS students are required to purchase the UT Math Readiness Package. This includes completing the Quest learning modules, the warm-up assessment, and the UT Math Assessment.
All incoming students in the following areas may need to purchase the Math Readiness Package if they intend to take a calculus course in the fall semester and do not meet an exemption:
Cockrell School of Engineering: If you scored between a 620-669 on the SAT Quantitative, and do not meet an exemption.
Jackson School of Geosciences: If you plan to enroll in calculus in the fall semester and do not meet an exemption.
McCombs School of Business: If you plan to enroll in calculus in the fall semester and do not meet an exemption.
Undergraduate Studies students planning to transfer into any of the colleges/majors listed above, or any other majors planning to take Calculus I (M408C/K/N/R) this fall: If you plan to enroll in calculus in the fall semester and do not meet an exemption.
Liberal Arts students majoring in Economics or BS Psychology: If you plan to enroll in calculus in the fall semester and do not meet an exemption.
Students interested in health sciences that may require Calculus, or any student following a degree plan requiring Calculus: If you plan to enroll in calculus in the fall semester and do not meet an exemption.
What are the minimum required scores for course placement?
Students must score 70 or higher on the UT Math Assessment to remain enrolled in Calculus I (M 408C/K/N/R).
A score of 78 or higher is strongly recommended for M 408C.
A minimum score of 55 is required to remain enrolled in Pre-Calculus (M 305G).
Our data show that students who get at least 70% of attempted practice problems correct are generally the best prepared for the UT Math Assessment, and to be successful in Calculus I at UT.
The pre-requisite for Calculus I can also be met with a B- or higher in M 305G.
Note: This does not exempt incoming College of Natural Sciences freshman or incoming transfer students who do not have credit for Calculus I from the required Math Readiness Package.
What if I do not obtain the required minimum score for course placement?
Students may attempt the UT Math Assessment twice in summer and twice in our long semesters.
Students who do not meet the 70 required for placement in Calculus I or the 55 required for Pre-Calculus should continue working in the Quest learning modules to improve their math skills and may reattempt the UT Math Assessment a second time before classes begin.
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 for fall.
Why must I take the UT Math Assessment?
The UT Math Assessment is used to determine the mathematics course in which students at the University of Texas will have the greatest success.
Upon completion of the assessment, your score is available immediately and is sent to your academic advisor.
Your advisor will review your scores and can help make appropriate recommendations for course registration.
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 remediate.
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 take all the readiness modules before I can take the assessment?
The modules are for your benefit and we will leave it up to you to decide how much time you spend working in them. After you complete the warm up assessment, a link will be added to your Quest profile within a few days to take the online, proctored, UT Math Assessment.
What if I took the SAT Subject test in Math or have credit for Calculus through AP, IB, or CLEP?
All incoming College of Natural Sciences must take the UT Math Assessment. CNS students are not exempt as we use the UTMA for advising for other math and science courses including Chemistry and Physics.
The SAT Subject Test in Math is not used for math placement. AP, IB and CLEP scores may still be used for credit, but these scores do not exempt students in the above paragraph from purchasing and completing the Quest Readiness Package.
The UT Math Readiness Package and Quest materials are for your benefit, as they will allow you to see whether there are areas you would like to review before classes begin.
Where do my UT Math Assessment and Quest scores appear?
- Your scores are available immediately after your exam.
- Your scores are automatically added to your UT student profile which is accessible by your advisor.
- Your UT Math Assessment scores will be verified by the math department before the semester begins.
- Your Quest scores can be viewed any time by logging into Quest.
How long is my UT Math Assessment score valid?
Scores are valid for one long semester (fall or spring) only. Summer scores are valid until the fall semester.
After that semester, your score will expire, and if the UT Math Assessment is required for a course you wish to register for in a subsequent semester, you will need to take the assessment again.
Where do I go for math advising help?
Please review the Math Department’s advising website for additional information regarding UT Math courses.
How do I know if I should take the UT Math Assessment?
All College of Natural Sciences students are required to purchase the Math Readiness Package.
CNS students are required to purchase the UT Math Readiness Package. This includes completing the Quest learning modules, the warm-up assessment, and the UT Math Assessment.
All incoming students in the following areas may need to purchase the Math Readiness Package if they intend to take a calculus course in the fall semester and do not meet an exemption:
Cockrell School of Engineering: If you scored between a 620-669 on the SAT Quantitative, and do not meet an exemption.
Jackson School of Geosciences: If you plan to enroll in calculus in the fall semester and do not meet an exemption.
McCombs School of Business: If you plan to enroll in calculus in the fall semester and do not meet an exemption.
Undergraduate Studies students planning to transfer into any of the colleges/majors listed above, or any other majors planning to take Calculus I (M408C/K/N/R) this fall: If you plan to enroll in calculus in the fall semester and do not meet an exemption.
Liberal Arts students majoring in Economics or BS Psychology: If you plan to enroll in calculus in the fall semester and do not meet an exemption.
Students interested in health sciences that may require Calculus, or any student following a degree plan requiring Calculus: If you plan to enroll in calculus in the fall semester and do not meet an exemption.
Do I need to take the assessment before attending my scheduled new student orientation session?
Yes. All incoming CNS students and students in another college intending to take calculus I in the fall semester are required to take the UTMA before June 9th, 2019.
If an if an issue arises that prevents you from taking the UTMA by the June 9th, 2019 deadline, please email: readiness@cns.utexas.edu.
For students in another college, please review the "Students in Another College" and "Exemptions" tabs on the main UT Math Readiness website.
What steps do I follow to take the UT Math Assessment?
- Purchase the Math Readiness Package
- Complete the Quest Learning Modules and Warm Up
- Take the online proctored UTMA
Is there a cost for taking the UT Math Assessment?
Yes, the Math Readiness Package price is $50.
This includes the Quest Learning Modules, the UTMA warmup practice questions, directions for the UTMA, the link to the Examity website for online proctoring, and access for one semester for the package’s content.
You will also have access to revisit modules where improvement is possible to continue to hone your calculus skills.
Can you retest?
Yes, if you do not receive a score that places you in the calculus course that you wish to enroll in, you can reattempt the UTMA this summer.
Students are limited to two attempts in the summer and two attempts per long semester.
If an emergency prevents me from taking the assessment prior to my scheduled orientation session, can I still attend the session and who should I contact?
If an issue arises that prevents you from taking the UTMA by the June 9th, 2019 deadline, please email: readiness@cns.utexas.edu.
