FAQ

Students who wish to or are required to take calculus-track math (MATH 100, 117, 118, 131, 132, 161, 162) or higher level math classes should take the Math Placement Assessment.

You must take the assessment unless you are satisfied with being placed into a given math course based upon other standardized test scores as listed below. If you are not content with the following placements and wish to try and place into a higher level course, you have to take the Math Placement Assessment. 

Students who are required to take Core Quantitative Analysis courses do not need to take the Math Placement Assessment. 

ACT

If you scored at least a 26 in the math portion of the ACT test you may start with level 2 (MATH 117, College Algebra). Students who would like to take above level 2 will need to take the MPA.

SAT
If you scored at least a 560 in the math portion of the SAT test you may start with level 2 (MATH 117, College Algebra). Students who would like to take above level 2 will need to take the MPA.

SAT II, Math 1C (level 1)

• If you score > 635, you will be placed into MATH 118 (and of course may take the MPA to place into MATH 131/161).
• If you score between 535 and 635, you will be placed into MATH 117 (and of course may take the MPA to place into a higher level).
• If your score is lower than 535, then you must take MPA to begin a calculus-track math course.

SAT II, Math 2C (Level 2)

• If you score > 635, you will be placed into MATH 131/161.
• If you score between 535 and 635, you will be placed into MATH 118 (and of course may take the MPA to place into MATH 131/161).
• If your score is lower than 535, then the student must take MPA.

AP (Advanced Placement)
If you received a score of 4 or 5 on either the Math AB or BC Advanced Placement exam in Calculus you may start with Applied Calculus II (MATH 132) or Calculus II (MATH 162). For more information on credit given for AP courses see the AP Score credit guide.

IB (International Baccalaureate)
If you received a score of 5, 6, or 7 on the Higher Level Mathematics and Statistics test, you may start with Level 4 (MATH 131, Applied Calculus I or MATH 161, Calculus I). For more information on credit given for AP courses see the IB Score credit guide.

You do not need to take the Math Placement Assessment in order to take a Quantitative Analysis Core class. Core Curriculum Quantitative Analysis courses (CJC, 206, COMP 125, COMP 150, COMP 163, ISOM 241, MATH 108, and STAT 103) do not have prerequisites. However, you are required to take the MPA if you plan on majoring in a field that requires a math background such as math, science, or business related field and are strongly encouraged to take the MPA if you are thinking that you may potentially switch into one of those fields.

No, Loyola's MPA is specifically designed to place students into a Loyola University Chicago math course, or appropriate course requiring math pre-requisites.

Certainly. However, if you are attempting to take the test a year or more after you were admitted as a student to Loyola, your eligibility may have run out. Just contact the Placement Assessment team at the Hub at placementtest@luc.edu or (773) 508-7700 and we can update your eligibility.

Check out our overview page for login information.

If you experience a system failure or other technical problem while taking the MPA, e-mail placementtest@luc.edu, explaining the nature of the problem. If you are not able to use the internet for email, then contact the Placement Assessment Team at the Hub at (773) 508-7700 to report the problem. You should expect a response within 24–48 hours.

See our retake information Page.

If your AP scores will not be available by your New Student Orientation, we strongly recommend you take the Math Placement Assessment by your placement assessment deadline; otherwise, you will not be able to register for math courses or other courses requiring math placement during orientation.

There is no fee to take this test the first time. If you wish to repeat the test a second time, a fee of $10 will be charged. You will not be permitted to take the test a 3rd time unless they have extraordinary circumstances.

Possibly. Some courses require certain levels of math before you can take them. To find the prerequisites for a course, use the class search or course catalog features in LOCUS (if you don’t have a login you can sign in as a guest) and look at the course descriptions.

View our placement results interpretation page.

View our placement results interpretation page.

View our placement results interpretation page.

View our placement results interpretation page.

If you disagree with your placement and only took the test once, we recommend taking it a second time.

If you have already taken the test a second time and still disagree with your placement, please e-mail  the Placement Assessment Team at the Hub at placementtest@luc.edu with an explanation as to why you believe your placement is not accurate.

We recommend taking your test as soon as possible before orientation; otherwise you may not be able to enroll in certain courses.

If you haven’t taken it before you register at orientation, take it as soon as possible afterwards and contact your academic advisor with the results.