At CU Boulder, students have several math courses to choose from, based on their intended major. While some courses do not require a prerequisite or prior math experience, others will require a math readiness test or the completion of prerequisite coursework.

We want to ensure that students are successful and prepared for the math courses in which they are enrolled. Students planning to register for a precalculus or calculus course should take theÌýmath readiness testÌýfirst.ÌýThe test score will be combined with other informationÌýincluding previously taken math courses, to place students in the appropriate course.

Spring 2025ÌýCourse Registration: The Math Readiness Test is for both incoming and continuing students who wish to enrollÌýinÌýspringÌýsemester courses. The testÌýwill be open fromÌýMonday, October 21, 2024, to Thursday, January 9. Plan to prepare well andÌýtake this test at least one week before your assigned enrollment period. Students who take the testÌýcan expect to see their placementsÌýwithin two business days in Canvas under "Grades". If your placement is not what you expect, you can still attempt to improve your score by takingÌýaÌýproctored placement test.Ìý(see details below).

´¡±ô±ôÌý²õ³Ù³Ü»å±ð²Ô³Ù²õ wishing to enroll in a precalculus or calculus course at CU must take the onlineÌýMath Readiness TestÌýprior to enrolling in a math class. Click on the blue button on the rightÌýto access the test. The test score will be combined with other student information to generate one of three possibleÌýplacements: Calculus, Precalculus, or Not Calculus/Precalculus. We recommend that you take the Math Readiness Test as soon as possible because delaying could impact your ability to enroll inÌýmath courses.ÌýResults remain valid for one year, so it is recommended that continuing students take the test shortly before the semester in which they plan to enroll in precalculus or calculus.

  • A Calculus placement will allow a studentÌýto enroll in Calculus 1 ( or or ).
  • AÌý±Ê°ù±ð³¦²¹±ô³¦³Ü±ô³Ü²õ placement will allow a studentÌýto enroll in Precalculus ( or )Ìýor Mathematical Tools for Economists 2 ().Ìý

Students are encouraged to review the study materials and work through a practice test before taking the actual test in a distraction-free environment. Please make note of the test conditions:

  • The 60-minute Math Readiness Test will consist of 40Ìýmultiple choice questions. Students interested in qualifying for Calculus must complete the entire test. Students interested in qualifying for Precalculus may submit the test after completing the first 20 questions.ÌýThere will be only one correct answer per question. Partial credit will not be awarded.
  • The only resources allowed are pencils (or pens) and blank scratch paper. Books, notes, calculators, electronic devices, the internet, and other resources are not permitted.
  • New students should complete the exam as soon as possible. The date that you take the Math Readiness Test could impact your ability to enroll inÌýmath courses!Ìý
  • For students who have taken a CU Precalculus course: If you earned a grade below C- or received a grade of W, you must retake the course in order to qualify for Calculus. You are not eligible to qualify for Calculus by taking the Math Readiness Test or Proctored Math Placement Test.
  • Test takers who require additional time to complete the test online due to a documented disability should visit Disability Services in the Center for Community, Room N220, email dsinfo@colorado.edu, or call 303-492-8671 prior to taking the readiness test. You will be asked to register for accommodations with Disability Services and provide the appropriate documentation. After you have received disability accommodations for extended time, it is extremely important that you contact mathplacement@colorado.edu before starting the test to activate additional time.
  • Important note:ÌýWhen you start the Math Readiness Test, you should plan to complete it in one sitting or your incomplete score will be submittedÌýand you will be locked out. If that happens, contact mathplacement@colorado.edu.

When you are ready, click the blue button in the navigation box on the right side of this page.

  1. Log in using your CU Identikey username and password.

  2. On the Enroll in CU Boulder Math Readiness Test page, click Enroll in Course, then Go to the Course.

  3. On the Canvas home page, select the course CU Boulder Math Readiness Test.

  4. Review the study materials and take theÌýPractice Test.

  5. When you are ready, take theÌýofficial Math Readiness Test. We strongly recommend using the Chrome browser.

Placement results will be available within 2Ìýbusiness days. Students can view their placement results in Canvas under "Grades" or by going to the .

Students who feel they have not been placed in the appropriate math eligibility category based on the Math Readiness Test may take aÌýproctored math placement testÌýto demonstrate their math proficiency.ÌýSee additional information on this below,Ìýand on the New Student & Family Programs Website.

All students are required to take the Math Readiness Test first. ThoseÌýwho would like to improve their placement may attempt a proctored math placement testÌýfor another opportunityÌýto demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the topics necessary to be successful in precalculus or calculus 1 at CU Boulder. The proctored test score also determines the placement: Calculus, Precalculus, or Not Calculus/Precalculus; it will not make students eligible for Calculus 2.

Spring 2025Ìýregistration:ÌýFor students who have submitted the Math Readiness Test and would likeÌýtoÌýimprove their math placements, an on-campusÌýProctored Math Placement TestÌýwill be offered before the first day of class. Details will be posted here by mid-December.

Important: Students should prepare well prior to taking this test, as it is set up to be taken only once.ÌýAfter completion of the test, math placementÌýresultsÌýwill be emailed within 2 business days.ÌýYou can findÌýmore information about placement assessments on theÌýNew Student & Family Programs Website.Ìý

ForÌýstudents wishingÌýto qualify for Precalculus, another option is the Math Readiness Prep Course. See below for additional information.

For students hoping to qualify for Precalculus,Ìýwe recommend completing theÌýÌýwhich will review topics from algebra and analytic geometry. Successful completion of this course will allow you to take the Online Proctored Math Placement Test immediatelyÌýfor a possible placement of Precalculus. This prep course is for students who have submitted the Math Readiness Test and did not qualify for Precalculus or Calculus. It is also for students who would like to review algebra and analytic geometry before submitting the Math Readiness Test.

For students hoping to qualify for Calculus,Ìýwe recommend completing theÌýÌýwhich will review Precalculus topics. This prep course is designed for

  • Students who wish to review Precalculus before taking the Math Readiness Test for the first time.
  • Students who received a Precalculus (or lower) placement and would like to qualify for Calculus.
  • Students who received a Calculus placement and would like to review Precalculus before beginning their Calculus 1 course.

At the completion of the course, students who would like to improve their math placement will need to sign up to take the Proctored Math Placement Test in order to qualify for Calculus. Note that this prep course is intended for students who have already completed a Precalculus course and wish to review the material. Students who have never taken Precalculus should enroll in a full-semester Precalculus course.Ìý

All students who will be taking a precalculus or calculus 1 course at CU must complete the Math Readiness Test, with the following exceptions:

  • Successful completion of prerequisite coursework at the college level (either at CU Boulder or via approved transfer).
  • Successful completion of the AP Calculus AB or BC testÌý.

EXCEPTION: All incoming first-year Engineering students must complete the Math Readiness Test regardless of previous math college credit (transfer, dual enrollment, AP/IB). This is because Engineering students are pre-enrolled in some of their courses before the start of the semester, including coursework which may be dependent on the Math Readiness Test score.Ìý Missing the deadline to take the Test could affect a student’s ability to enroll in classes needed in the first semester. ÌýWe need this score in our systems because these pre-enrollment processes start before AP/IB/Transfer credits post to student records.Ìý Engineering students with subsequent transfer/AB college credit for calculus will be eligible to revise their mathematics class and course schedule during their enrollment window.

All incoming students are encouraged to consult their academic advisors for help in selecting an appropriate math course.

Have aÌýquestion about math placement?

Check out the FAQs first, then connect with us.ÌýClick the "Let's Chat" box to begin.ÌýSupport provided byÌýBuff Info.

Please do not call;Ìýwe are unable to respond to math placement questions via the phone.