Math Placement
Math placement at the University of Montana (UM) depends on two criteria: a student’s declared major and placement level. Many incoming freshmen (and transfer students still needing to meet their math requirement) will need to take a math placement exam before registering for a math course at UM.
UM utilizes Maplesoft math placement exams and offers three version of the exam: Arithmetic (M01), Algebra (M02), and Calculus (M03). Students should take the appropriate exam based on their declared or intended major. See information below for details.
*Students should speak with their academic advisor(s) for guidance on selecting the appropriate math placement exam for their program(s) of study.
The diagram below provides an overview of math placement and course sequencing at UM.
Math placement and sequencing diagram
If you are majoring in one of the following programs, please click the button below for more information on your math placement criteria. Please read ALL of the information after clicking the button:
| Mountain Campus Majors | |||
| Accounting | Anthropology | Art | Classics |
| Communication Studies | Communicative Sciences and Disorders | Community Health and Prevention Sciences (HHP) | Dance |
| Central & Southwest Asian Stds | East Asian Studies | English | Environmental Studies |
| Finance | Geography | German | Health Enhancement (HHP) |
| History | History/Political Science | International Business | Japanese |
| Journalism | Liberal Studies | Management | Management and Information Systems |
| Marketing | Media Arts | Music | Native American Studies |
| Philosophy | Political Science | Pre-Nursing | Psychology |
| Political Science-History | Recreation Management | Radio-Television Production | Russian |
| Social Work | Sociology | Spanish | Theatre |
| Women's Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Undeclared | ||
| Missoula College Majors | |||
| Accounting Technology | Administrative Management | Business Media Design | Computer Support |
| Culinary Arts | Customer Relations | Food Service Management | Hospitality Management |
|
Information Technology |
Medical Assisting | Medical Reception | Management |
| Medical Information Technology | Paralegal Studies | Practical Nursing | Pre-Nursing |
| Pre-Radiologic Technology | Pre-Respiratory Therapy Tech | Pre-Surgical Technology | Sales and Marketing |
| Social Media Management | |||
Click here for more information regarding the majors above
UM uses ACT and SAT scores to determine students’ placement into math courses for the above majors. If students don’t meet the minimum ACT or SAT scores required to place into college-level courses (courses 100-level or higher), they must take the appropriate Maplesoft math placement exam.
The minimum ACT mathematics section score required to place into college level math courses for the above majors is 22. The minimum SAT mathematics section score is 520 for students who took the SAT prior to March, 2016. For students who took the SAT after March, 2016, the minimum SAT mathematics section score is 550. The minimum SAT math test score is 27.5. For students in the above majors who bring in any of these minimum scores or higher, the Maplesoft math placement exam requirement is waived.
The Maplesoft math placement exam requirement will also be waived for students in the above majors if one of the following conditions is met:
- By earning a score of 3 or above on the AP Calculus AB or BC exam
- By earning a score of 4 or above on the IB Mathematics HL exam
- By earning a score of 50 or above on the CLEP subject examinations in College Algebra, College Algebra-Trigonometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus or Calculus
- By successfully completing a college-level math course while enrolled in either a high school dual enrollment program, a high school pilot program, or while enrolled at another college or university prior to a student’s transfer to UM.
If you are majoring in one of the following programs, please click the button below for more information on your math placement criteria. Please read ALL of the information after clicking the button:
| Mountain Campus Majors | |||
| Biochemistry | Biology | Chemistry | Computer Science |
| Computer Science/Mathematical Sciences | Economics | Ecological Restoration | Ecosystem Sciences & Restoration |
| Education | Elementary Education | Exercise Science Applied (HHP) | Exercise Science Pre-Professional (HHP) |
| Forestry | Geosciences | Mathematics | Medical Laboratory Sciences |
| Microbiology | Neuroscience | Pharmacy | Physics |
| Pre-Athletic Training (HHP) | Pre-Engineering | Pre-Medical Sciences |
Pre-Pharmacy |
| Pre-Education | Parks, Tourism, and Recreation Management | Resource Conservation | Wildlife Biology |
| Missoula College Majors | |||
| Building Maintenance | Computer Aided Design | Carpentry | Diesel Technology |
| Electronics Technology | Electrician Helper | Energy Auditor | Energy Technology |
| Facility Management | General AA | Heavy Equipment Operation | Nondegree |
| Pre-Diesel Technology | Pre-Heavy Equipment Operator | Pre-Pharmacy Technology | Precision Machine Technology |
| Pre-Welding Technology | Recreational Power Equipment | Sustainable Construction Tech | Sustainable Construction |
| Welding Technology | |||
Click here for more information regarding the majors above
Students in the above majors will need to take the appropriate Maplesoft math placement exam unless one of the following conditions is met:
- By earning a score of 3 or above on the AP Calculus AB or BC exam
- By earning a score of 4 or above on the IB Mathematics HL exam
- By earning a score of 50 or above on the CLEP subject examinations in College Algebra, College Algebra-Trigonometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus or Calculus
- By successfully completing a college-level math course while enrolled in either a high school dual enrollment program, a high school pilot program, or while enrolled at another college or university prior to a student’s transfer to UM.
*Check with an academic advisor in your major department to confirm the appropriate math course(s) for you. The Maplesoft math placement exam may be required in some situations even if one or more of the above conditions are met.
I'm ready to take my Math Placement Exam.
EdReady Montana is a personalized, self-paced, FREE online program that helps students master the mathematics skills they need to succeed in college-level math courses. EdReady modules were designed by selecting skills necessary for success in each math course.
By completing EdReady, students are placed directly into the appropriate college-level math class of their major. This saves students from having to take a semester or more of developmental coursework that does not count toward degree requirements. In addition, this prevents students from needing to take a math placement exam and allows students to focus on the precise skills they will need to succeed in their math courses at UM.
To learn more about EdReady Montana and to sign up, visit www.umt.edu/edready.