Math placement test difficulty?

<p>Hello again, I struggled a bit in math my senior year. I was wondering if the questions on the actual Math placement test are on par with the questions on the practice test or if they are harder/easier. Thanks again.</p>

<p>The math placement test only determines if you're capable enough to attempt a calculus class, or if you need to take a remedial algebra/prealgebra class. The test is pretty basic and straightforward.</p>

<p>oh I see... but still, I scored like a 38% on the Diagnostic practice exam so I'm kinda panicking.</p>

<p>There was a diagnostic practice exam? I thought the pratice exam only had a question or two related to math. If you've taken at least pre-calc in HS, you should do fine on the placement test. After all, if you have AP credits coming in, you'll be placed in Calc II any way.</p>

<p>what if i took calculus AB 2 years ago, and I almost forgot everything</p>

<p>but i got a 5 on it! </p>

<p>do i still go on to Calculus 2 regardless of what i get on math palcement?</p>

<p>They account both your scores into your math placement because they want to make sure you're still up to date with your math skills. But if you score decently, then I'm sure you'll still get placed in Calc2. However, if you really think you've forgotten everything from CalcAB, you may want to reconsider that b/c calc2 is supposed to be one of the hardest math classes at michigan.</p>

<p>Calc 2 is hard for some people because it's a direct continuation of Calc 1. Calc 3 is NOT a direct continuation of Calc 2, so it's a better transition. It's actually like going back a step, to add more to Calc 1 by introducing multiple variables. That's what I heard.</p>

<p>Oh man, I'm going into PoliSci/Philosophy. I must be like the only Asian on the planet that struggles with math. I just want to get the requirement over with.</p>

<p>lol...just so you know..you don't HAVE to take calculus to take care of your QR/1 requirement. If you are a polsci major, you'll have to take Stats 350 which will take care of it...also there are a number of non-calc/stats classes that will take care of it.</p>

<p>All right... But isn't Statistics even harder than Calc?</p>

<p>I took stats 350 last fall, and it wasn't too hard. You can handle it.</p>

<p>It's actually quite easy. Not at all like calculus. You just need to know how to use formulas. You don't even have to memorize them. It's arithmetic/algebra.</p>

<p>is there a practice diagnostic math placement exam available?</p>

<p>umm whats to stop you from using a calculator??</p>

<p>most of the questions dont need a calculator, and I found the test really really easy, finished with like 10 minutes to spare, but I did IB math HL so was kind of used to working without calculators</p>

<p>Nothing stops you from using a calculator.
However, I did have my calculator by my side as I took it and concluded it’s faster just to do the test without the calc.</p>

<p>Nothing. Nothings stopping you from using a calculator, a math textbook, Google, your older brother…</p>

<p>I don’t think anything stops you from taking calc even if you fail either.</p>

<p>True, which is why there’s no benefit to “use aid” on the test. It’s supposed to be a tool to you that places you in the correct class difficulty level-wise. Shouldn’t be taking a class for which you’re not ready.</p>

<p>You don’t even need a calculator.</p>