Right off the top, this test is a big deal . At UW-Milwaukee, and many other UW-System Campuses, it is your results on this test that determine what mathematics courses you will take. Your high school grade and courses, except for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate credits, will not be used to determine your first college mathematics course. Your ACT and SAT scores won't be used either. Your placement will be determined by the results of UW System Mathematics Placement Test (hence the name). We are not telling you this to frighten you, but to enlighten you.

If you look over the test content you will see that if you have taken standard high school mathematics courses in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, there is nothing on this test you haven't seen before. The issue for you is, "Can I remember how to do all this stuff?!" Rather than waiting until the test to find the answer to this, we suggest that you review. Actually, 'suggest' is not strong enough. Perhaps we should say that it would be extremely foolish not to review, given the stakes.

This is where we come in, because we have some suggestions. Our main suggestion is that you review by doing problems, not by simply re-reading old class notes. Right now the best source we have found for this kind of review is from the ALEKS Corporation . They maintain a commercial website for tutoring in pre-algebra, algebra, trigonometry, and some very basic geometry. By arrangement with them, McGraw-Hill and the College of Letters and Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee you can purchase a license to access this software through McGraw-Hill or the website and try the software. They offer a 48 hour free trial. Do it! Then, if this seems to be something you would be comfortable using, contact us:
Professor Eric Key
Professor Richard O'Malley
so we can explain to you how to obtain a license and how we will help you manage your review. The only cost to you is your ALEKS license, which, depending on the length license you choose will be between $35.00 and $70.00. You pay no fees to UWM or us. We hope to hear from you soon!

One last bit of advice. When you take your placement exam be sure to ask how you can get your scores. Do not wait until your first meeting with an advisor to get these scores. We can give you some advice about what the scores mean, and whether or not it is advisable or neccessary for you to take the test a second time.

Last updated: February 5, 2002. This page maintained by Eric Key