Mathematics Placement Service
Assessment Purpose
The Mathematics Placement Service is for new freshmen and new transfer students who have been accepted to Michigan State University. Its purpose is to place these students into the mathematics courses that are most appropriate for them. The Mathematics Placement Service results will not affect the status of a student's admission to Michigan State University.
Assessment Process
To access the Mathematics Placement Service, you must first set up your MSUNet Id.
When you are ready to take the assessment, you will need:
- Your MSUNet ID and your MSUNet password.
- The most recent version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari web browser
You should complete your use of the service:
- Within one hour.
- Without using a calculator, books, or any other reference material.
- Without the help of another person.
Answer each question as carefully and as correctly as you can, but DO NOT GUESS!
Dishonesty of any kind while taking this assessment (including failure to follow the preceding instructions) can only result in your placement into a course in which you are extremely unlikely to succeed.
Once you submit your answers, your score will be displayed automatically on the final page of the assessment.
You may return to the assessment anytime to view your attempt history and resulting scores. After a day or two, once the score has been transmitted to the university's student system, you may also view your most recent score in the MSU Student Information System.
If you would like to improve your placement, it is possible to avail yourself of the Service after a 30 day waiting period, Please use the waiting period(s) to improve your mathematical skills. The details of each of your attempts are permanently recorded and all are available to your advisors.
Access to the MPS Assessment terminates with the occurrence of the earlier of the following two events (which usually coincide):
- Your first official enrollment at MSU.
- The start of your MSU New Student Orientation (NSO) session.
To guarantee that your assessment results are available to your advisors, you should complete your LAST use of the service at least three (3) days before the start of your NSO session.
Other Important Issues
For more details regarding issues mentioned above, and for answers to questions about other issues related to the MPS Assessment, please visit our list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Samples
A comprehensive sample of the topics addressed by the Math Placement Service, together with many practice problems, can be found in the MSU Math Diagnostic Exam. Anyone may view the MSU Math Diagnostic Exam; you need not be admitted to Michigan State University to do so.
Mathematics Placement Service Assessment
If you have your MSUNet login information and you are ready to have your placement in mathematics determined by the Mathematics Placement Service now, you may proceed to Take the MPS Assessment.