FAQ’s

Do I need to take the math placement survey?

Yes, all students need to take the math placement survey if they have not already done so.

Do I need to take the math placement test? 

No. The math placement test is an optional way to earn your math placement. Most students will take the math placement test only if they are dissatisfied with the score they received from the survey.

When do I need to take the survey? 

Generally, it's best to take the survey as soon as you are admitted to Eastern. That way, you have your placement score and can make better decisions about math courses or whether you would like to take the placement test.

Do I need to take math in order to graduate from Eastern? 

Yes. Eastern has a policy that, to earn a baccalaureate degree, all students must demonstrate competency and proficiency in Mathematics through the Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (QSR) requirement. While each student has a unique path to graduation, all students will need to meet this requirement. Some students may meet this through approved tests or  transfer courses, but the majority of students will need to take a math course at Eastern.  Read more in the catalog.

How long will the survey take to complete?

Most students can complete the survey within 5 minutes.

What will I need in order to take the survey?

To take the survey, you have to sign in to your Eastern account, so you will need your username and password for Single Sign On. You will also need your 8 digit student ID #.

You will likely be asked about your high school GPA, grades, and math courses, so you will want your high school transcript.

What if I don't have my high school transcripts? 

You may fall into a category on the survey where you might not need them. Otherwise, you can use an online version or your transcripts to answer the questions.

What if I think two of the options apply to me? 

Please choose the answer that *best* fits, or is higher up the list.

What if I don't know my student ID #? 

Please look it up in your admissions material. You will not be able to complete the survey without it.

What if I didn't receive an email notification with my placement score? 

Please check your spam or junk folder in your email. If you still don't find it, please contact culrich6@ewu.edu to see if you completed the survey correctly. Skipping questions can mean that we don't have enough information and can result in no email results.

What if I disagree with my score? 

Sometimes students are worried that their score is too high and sometimes they are frustrated that their score seems too low. If you feel your score is too high, make sure to tell your advisor that you'd like to start with a class that's lower to help review or be better prepared. If you feel your score is too low, then you can challenge it by taking the math placement test. We will use the highest score between the survey and the test for placement.

How do I know which course I should take based on this score? 

It's best to decide on your math classes with your academic advisor. They will be able to explain the options that fit best for the major(s) you're interested in pursuing.

Our "Pathways" diagram found on the "Scores and Courses" page is a general guide, but confirming your options with the department or your advisor is best.

What if my major is undecided? 

That's very common! In those cases, we recommend taking classes that have a broader scope. For example, MTHD 104 is a prerequisite for almost every pathway. Take that instead of MTHD 106, which has more limitations on classes that can follow it.

And, if you're taking science classes, you may need the STEM pathway math classes as prerequisites. MATH 114, MATH 141, etc. allow you to take other classes at Eastern that MATH 107, MATH 121, etc. do not.

What if I change major or think I might later? 

You will need to meet the requirements for the new major, which may sometimes mean taking another math class. If you don't have the correct prerequisites for that new class you may need to go back and take them.

When will my placement score be available for registration? 

It takes 1-2 business days for scores to be uploaded to our system. The busiest times are during registration, so please plan ahead and take your placement survey as soon as you can to avoid having to wait longer.

What is the Eastern Math Proficiency/QSR requirement? 

Eastern policy states that, to earn a baccalaureate degree, all students must demonstrate competency and proficiency in Mathematics through the Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (QSR) requirement. With very few exceptions, all students will need to take a math course to earn their degree.

Can I count classes in high school towards this proficiency requirement? 

No, unless you earned college credit for them through College in the High School,  Running Start, or through an AP or IB test.

Can I test out of this requirement? 

Yes. You can see which AP, IB, and CLEP tests we accept and what scores on which exams would meet this requirement on this site.

If you had a placement score of 76 from the math placement survey, you can also test out of the requirement by scoring 76 or higher on the math placement test.

Can I count a transfer mathematics course towards this proficiency requirement? 

It depends on the course. Your college transcripts need to be sent to Eastern and they will be evaluated. Check your Degree Works audit to see if your course had an EWU equivalent and if it satisfied the math proficiency requirement.

Does my first, unproctored test score count? 

No. Your first test is a practice test and is used to determine what your score might be and to identify topics that you can practice and study that may help you raise your score.

How many questions are there? 

No more than 30.

How long is it? 

The maximum time allowed on the test is 3 hours. If you take longer, your entire test will be voided and you will have to start over.

However, most students spend 45-90 minutes on the test.

Can I use a calculator on the test? 

Yes, you may use a scientific calculator. However, graphing calculators of any kind are NOT allowed. To make sure your calculator will be allowed on the test, email culrich6@ewu.edu.

Do I really need to spend 3 hours in the Prep and Learning module on practice? 

Yes. It is a good idea to use your time wisely, taking notes, and trying each topic on practice paper. This time is your opportunity to study and try to earn the highest score possible.

Most students also find that this 3 hours of practice is good review for the classes they will take.

How much time should I spend studying and practicing in the Prep and Learning module? 

We require 3 hours, but you can practice for longer. Generally speaking, it depends on what score you want how long you should study for.

Students usually need to master a minimum of 20 topics to increase their score by 5 points.

How many times can I take the test? 

Your test package includes two tries after the initial practice test. So if your first official score is disappointing, you can take it one more time.

Keep in mind that there is a 10 hour practice time requirement before the last attempt.

The highest score will be used for math placement.

What system requirements do I need to take the test at home? 

Due to online proctoring, we are not able to accommodate Chromebooks at this time. However, any other Windows or Mac laptop should be able to run the Respondus Monitor software.

Where do I pay for the placement test? 

Your student account will be billed within 1-2 weeks of you completing your initial practice test. There are no refunds once you have completed your initial test.

How long until my placement test window expires?

We host 2 testing windows each year:

1. Summer/Fall cohort begins at the end of Spring Quarter and goes to the beginning of Fall Quarter
2. Winter/Spring cohort begins with Fall quarter and ends at the end of Spring Quarter.

Can I get a refund? 

No, once you have started your practice test refunds are not allowed.