Why You Need the Placement Test

All Hunter students must take a Math course, and it is highly recommended that students do so early in their college career.

It is strongly suggested that all first-year students take the COMPASS Math Placement Test prior to registration for the first semester. Students who have not taken the COMPASS test cannot register for any Math course that has a pre-requisite (College Algebra, Statistics, Math for Elementary Education, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, etc.), nor any Science course that requires Math (General Chemistry, Biology, General Physics, etc.). This also means that new freshmen cannot register for any Block that contains these courses.

If your major field of study requires

• MATH 101 (Algebra for College Students)
• MATH 125 (PreCalculus)
• MATH 104 (Math for Elementary School TEaching)
• STAT 113 (Probability and Statistics)
• MATH 150 (Calculus)

you must take the placement test to determine if you need to take other prerequisite courses before you may take these courses. Because of this, it is important that you test immediately so that your registration and subsequent graduation date are not delayed.

Students who intend to major in one of the following fields of study are ENCOURAGED to take the COMPASS Math Test as soon as possible: Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Education, Health Science, Nursing, Mathematics & Statistics, Physics and Psychology, and any students preparing for professional school in a medical field (Medicine, Dental, Veterinary, Physical Therapy, etc.).

Students who do not intend to major in one of these areas, and who do not need a particular Math course, may take MATH100, MATH110 or CSCI121 to fulfill Hunter’s Math requirement without taking the COMPASS Test. These courses fulfill Hunter’s requirement, but do not act as pre-requisites for any other Math courses.

PLEASE NOTE that MATH 101 does not fulfill Hunter’s Math requirement, it simply acts as a pre-requisite to Math courses that do fulfill the requirement.

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About the COMPASS Placement Test

The COMPASS Math Exam has two purposes:

1. proficiency (to determine if you can attend Hunter College)
2. placement (to determine what should be your first math course)

A score of 480 on the SAT or 75 on MATH A or Sequential 2 or 3 Regents exams can exempt you from the Math proficiency requirement, but NOT the Math placement requirement.

1. The computerized test consists of Algebra, College Algebra, and Trigonometry.
2. The result of the test determines the level of mathematics / statistics course for which a student is eligible.
3. The test is untimed and administered by computer.
4. The test is given on a walk-in basis every Wednesday between the hours of 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. There may be additional hours available by appointment.
5. The test site is located in the Testing Center, room 150 Hunter North
6. To take the exam students are required to bring a valid photo I.D., and are advised to bring a pen and pencil.
7. Calculators are not allowed.
8. Results of the test are available online approximately 2 to 5 days after the test administration.

The Testing Center has more information about the COMPASS Math Placement Test, including sample questions to review before you take the test: http://admissions.hunter.cuny.edu/Testing.htm

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Once You Have Your Math Placement
If you have taken the COMPASS Math Placement Test, you may find your test results here: https://saturn.hunter.cuny.edu:4443/pls/sti/sti.stuskills_pkg.show_login_form

Once you have taken the Math Placement, you will know which Math course you may begin with.

• If you do not plan to major in one of the fields that require a particular Math course, you may take MATH100, MATH110 or CSCI121 to fulfill Hunter’s Math requirement, regardless of what your Math Placement is. These courses fulfill Hunter’s requirement, but do not act as pre-requisites for any other Math courses.
• If your COMPASS test score placed you into MATH150 (Calculus), you are exempted from Hunter’s Math requirement, however you may still need a math course for your major. Please consult with an advisor from your intended major department.
• If you need a particular Math course, you must start with the course you were placed in and progress toward the Math course that you need. The progression is below:
  1. Pre-101 Workshop (free, non-credit)
  2. MATH101 (College Algebra DOES NOT FULFILL HUNTER ’S MATH REQUIREMENT)
  3. MATH 104 (Math for Elementary Education I) or STAT113 (Statistics) or MATH125 (Pre-Calculus)
  4. MATH105 (Math for Elementary Education II) STAT213 (Applied Statistics) MATH150 (Calculus)    
• If you placed ABOVE the Math course that you need, you must get permission from the Math Department (300 North) to register for a lower Math course.

The Mary P. Dolciani Math Learning Center has Brush-Up Skills and Multimedia Materials for most math classes, as well as math workshops and tutoring: http://math.hunter.cuny.edu/dolciani/

If you have additional concerns, please call the Hunter College Testing Center at (212) 772-4898 or visit their website: http://admissions.hunter.cuny.edu/Testing.htm.

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