The Queens College Math Placement Test is designed to place you in a course that matches your current skills. The goal is to find the right starting point for you in the algebra to calculus sequence. Students take the test through Brightspace, CUNY’s learning management system.

Access the placement test here.

You will need to login to Brightspace using your CUNYfirst login credentials (firstname.lastname##@login.cuny.edu, where ## is the last 2 digits of your CUNY EMPL ID.)  

Click the “Enroll in Course” button, then click “Ok” if prompted. Finally click the “Open Course” button and follow the instructions in the posted announcement.

Who is required to take the Math Placement Test and what is my placement?

You must take the Math Placement Test if:

• • Your intended major requires a course in the algebra to calculus sequence, and you have not received credit for MATH 115, 122, 131, 141, 142, 143, 151, or 152.

You should not take the Math Placement Test if:

• • You have credit for Math 115, 122, 141, 142, or 151. In this case, your placement is the next course in the sequence.
  • Your major/minor does not require a course in the algebra-to-calculus sequence.

What is the Algebra to Calculus sequence at Queens College?

The Department of Mathematics offers three sequences for students whose major/minor requires calculus (or in the case of Accounting, requires at the minimum the Precalculus course).

• • Standard sequence (16 credits in total). This is the most common and recommended sequence.
    1. MATH 115. College Algebra for Precalculus (3 credits)
    2. MATH 122. Precalculus (4 credits)
    3. MATH 141. Calculus/Differentiation (3 credits)
    4. MATH 142. Calculus/Integration (3 credits)
    5. MATH 143. Calculus/Infinite Series (3 credits)
  • Accelerated sequence (15 credits in total). This is the sequence for the strongest math students.
    1. MATH 115. College Algebra for Precalculus (3 credits)
    2. MATH 122. Precalculus (4 credits)
    3. MATH 151. Calculus/Differentiation & Integration (4 credits)
    4. MATH 152. Calculus/Integration & Infinite Series(4 credits)
  • Applied sequence (10 credits in total). This is the sequence for students whose major requires MATH 131 and prefer not to take MATH 141 or MATH 151 in the other sequence.
    1. MATH 115. College Algebra for Precalculus (3 credits)
    2. MATH 122. Precalculus (4 credits)
    3. MATH 131. Calculus with Applications to the Social Sciences I (3 credits)

What are the MATH course requirements for my major?

• • Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, and/or Health professions pathways such as Pre-Med/Pre-Dental, Physical Therapy, etc.: At least one semester of Calculus (MATH 141 or 151). Consult your department for full requirements and course preference.
  • Business and Economics: At least one semester of Calculus (MATH 131, 141, or 151). Consult your department for full requirements and course preference.
  • Accounting: A working knowledge of Precalculus (MATH 122). If you place into Calculus after taking the Math Placement Test, you meet this requirement.
  • Elementary Education: MATH 119 (Math for Elementary School Teachers). The Math Placement Test is not required

I took an AP class but have not yet received my score(s). Do I still have to take the Math Placement Test?

Yes, you still need to take the Math Placement Test even if you took an AP class and are waiting on your scores. We want to ensure you have a course placement now so that you can register on time.

Once your AP scores arrive, you can bring them to the Math Department. They’ll review your scores and, if appropriate, help you update your placement to reflect your AP credit. This could allow you to switch into a higher-level course if your scores qualify.

What if I have previous math credit awarded to me for a course in the Algebra to Calculus sequence?

You can send an email to math@qc.cuny.edu asking if the departmental credit evaluator can review your academic credits to determine if you may be awarded credit for a course in the Algebra to Calculus sequence. The evaluator can determine whether your prior coursework meets the requirements for course equivalency. If it is determined that there is no course equivalency, then you will need to take the Math Placement Test.

I took the Math Placement Test and have received my placement. What is the next step?

Your next step is course registration. How you register for math courses depends on your student status:

• • Incoming first-year students: Show your Math Placement Test scores in Brightspace, along with the confirmation email you received after completing the test (which includes your placement), to your Academic Advisor. They will assist you with course registration.
  • Macaulay Honors students: Show your Math Placement Test scores in Brightspace, along with the confirmation email (which includes your placement), to your Macaulay Advisor. They will assist you with registration.
  • SEEK students: Contact the SEEK department directly for assistance with registration.
  • TIME 2000 students: Contact the TIME 2000 program administrators directly for assistance with registration.
  • All other students: Forward the placement confirmation email your received after taking the test to mathregistration@qc.cuny.edu from your QC email account to request registration assistance. Mention that you were placed into Math 1XX by the Math Placement Exam. Be sure to include the class name, section, date, and time of the course you’d like to register for.

If you don’t want to take the course you were placed into after the Math Placement Test, here’s what you should do:

• • Consider your placement recommendation seriously: The placement is based on your current skill level and is meant to help you succeed. Skipping ahead might leave you underprepared, while dropping to a lower level might delay your progress unnecessarily.
  • Talk to the Math Department after meeting with an Advisor: We can explain why you were placed in that course and what your options are if you feel it’s not the right fit.

Ultimately, it’s possible to change your placement, but it should be done in consultation with the department.

What are some Math courses I can take if I don’t need Precalculus or Calculus?

Even if you don’t need to take calculus, you will need to earn the Math and Quantitative Reasoning (MQR) Pathways requirement.

For majors not requiring Calculus (e.g. English, History, Political Science, Drama, etc.) we recommend one of the following courses:

• • MATH 110 (Adventures in Mathematics / Math Literacy),
  • MATH 114/114W (Elementary Probability and Statistics),
  • MATH 119 (Math for Elementary School Teachers),
  • MATH 128 (Mathematical Design)

If you still have questions, you can reach out to us at mathplacement@qc.cuny.edu.