Frequently Asked Questions

The following are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) about the Mathematics Placement Tests. If your question is not addressed, please contact the APTP Office for further assistance.

How long is the math placement test?
The math placement test is a one-hour test. Allow approximately two hours for your testing session for registration and instructions prior to the test.

How much does the math placement test cost?
If you pre-register online to take the math placement test during the statewide APTP summer sessions, the cost for placement testing is $15. Otherwise, the math placement test costs $25 every time you take it.

How do I register and pay to take the math placement test?
You may REGISTER ONLINE for a statewide APTP test date. After you register, you must follow directions to mail your confirmation pages and your test fee ($15) to APTP at least one week prior to your chosen test date.

What do I need to bring to the test?
On the day of the test, arrive at the testing center at your appointed time with your admission ticket, picture identification, and #2 pencils. You do not need to bring calculators or other aids. Scratch paper will be provided for you.

When will I get my scores?
You will receive your score report in the mail approximately two weeks after you take the math placement test. The report will show your score on the math placement test and your placement options for classes.

When are my placement scores reported to my university?
If you take the math placement test prior to your orientation, your university will receive your placement score prior to your orientation session.

If you take your math placement test during your orientation, you will have to pay a higher test fee and your scores may not be available for your advising appointment. Universities work to make the results available by your registration appointment. Contact your advising counselor if you need additional assistance with your math placement test score.

Should I take the intermediate or the advanced math placement test?
Both the intermediate math and the advanced math tests place students in the same range of courses with the exception of calculus. If you are interested in placing into calculus, you should take the advanced mathematics test. Otherwise, the intermediate mathematics test will be sufficient for placing you appropriately. Most students who take the advanced mathematics test and place into calculus earned A's and B's in their high school math courses and have taken four years of math courses including pre-calculus, calculus, or math analysis.

How do I know if I pass the placement test?
These tests are not pass-or-fail exams. These placement tests determine your current level of abilities and place you into the appropriate math course for which you are most prepared to successfully complete. You will be placed into either one particular course or a range of courses most appropriate for your ability level.

May I retake the math placement test if I am unhappy with my score or placement?
Yes, you may retake the math placement exam. However, you must wait two weeks before retaking the same level (intermediate or advanced) math placement test. You may switch from the advanced to intermediate test or from the intermediate to advanced test without waiting two weeks. For example, if you take the advanced math placement test on June 10, you may either take the intermediate math placement test immediately or retake the advanced math placement test on or after June 25. You may only take each level (intermediate or advanced) math placement test twice in a one-year period.

Why are we not allowed to use a calculator on the Mathematics Placement Test when my high school teacher let me use it on tests?
The use of calculators has been discussed repeatedly by the Math Placement Testing Committee, which consists of math faculty and testing experts from the various campuses. There is a definite awareness of the extensive use of calculators in high school courses. The argument against the use of calculators is three-fold:

  1. It is the committee's judgement that the problems on the test can be answered with out the aid of calculators if the underlying principles are understood.
  2. Some problems can be solved with calculators without understanding of the underlying principles (i.e., enter the numbers and push a button, to oversimplify)
  3. Fairness -- not all students would have the same calculator and we do not know how to equate for differences.

Who should I contact if I qualify for special testing accommodations?
To request disability accommodations for the Mathematics Placement Test, contact the APTP office at least three weeks in advance of your placement test date. For questions about disability accommodations at your specific university, contact the appropriate university:

What should I do if I cannot make my scheduled test date?
Call the APTP office (206) 543-1790) if you cannot make your scheduled test date. You may be able to reschedule to a different test date. If you are rescheduled, you will not be charged an additional fee for testing. Your payment for the original test date will transfer to your new test date. Once you have rescheduled, the APTP office will mail you a new admission ticket. If you do not receive a new admission ticket before your rescheduled testing date, take your original admission ticket to the test. The testing center will honor your old admission ticket and verification of payment.

If you cannot make your scheduled test date and you are not available to attend another statewide APTP session, you may choose to test at your orientation or when you arrive on your university campus. However, the orientation and campus test fee is $25. If you have already paid a statewide fee, you will owe the difference when you arrive to test on campus.

For Washington State University students only: If you reschedule your placement test to WSU's orientation, your student account will automatically be charged a $25 test fee for that date, regardless of whether you have already paid. You may contact the APTP office to receive a refund of $15.

Can I get a refund if I do not take a placement test?
If you do not complete any placement test either at an off-site testing center or on the state university campuses, you may request a refund of your testing fee in the amount of $10 (if you paid a $15 statewide fee) or $20 (if you paid a campus or orientation fee). To request a refund, you may write or send email to the APTP office.

I tested as a standby at an off-site testing center and have not received my score and placement yet. Why?
Most likely, we have not received your $25 standby testing fee yet. If you did not pre-register online and have not sent in your fee, please send in the fee along with the standby form. After we have received your payment, we will mail you a score report with class placement options. If you pre-registered online and mailed your $15 reduced statewide fee less than one week prior to your test date, you owe a $10 standby fee. If you pre-registered online and mailed your $15 statewide fee at least one week prior to your test date and still have not received your score, please contact the APTP office.

I missed the spring testing dates and still need to take the math placement test. What should I do?
Contact the university you plan to attend and ask if they will administer the math placement test to you during your orientation sessions or at a scheduled time in their testing center. If you are a new University of Washington student, please contact the APTP office for a schedule of available testing times. The fee for testing at your orientation session or at your university campus $25.

If you have any other questions regarding the Academic Placement Testing Program, please contact the APTP Office:

Coordinator: Alaina Giesbrecht
Telephone: (206) 543-1790
Email: aptp@u.washington.edu

Mailing address: Academic Placement Testing Program
Box 355837
Seattle, Washington 98195-5837

Location: University of Washington
Office of Educational Assessment, Testing Center
Schmitz Hall, Room 440
1400 NE Campus Parkway
Seattle, Washington