There are two different Math Readiness Tests: the MRT A and the more advanced MRT B. Your choice of test and your test performance will affect your placement code. (Our placement process will also take other factors into consideration.)
This depends on the strength of your math skills (see the list of MRT topics) as well as which mathematics course you wish to take. (Our list of courses indicates the necessary placement code, while our placement code table tells you which MRT can lead to that particular placement code.) You may take both tests. For example, if you take the MRT A and achieve the highest placement level available for that test, you can then take the MRT B to see whether you can place even higher. On the other hand, if you take the MRT B and place into a certain level, you can always sign up for classes at a lower level, or if you do not place at all using the MRT B, you can then take the MRT A to obtain placement. (Note that the UA charges a fee each time you take the MRT, and you may not repeat the same MRT within any 3-month period.)
If you prefer to take only one of the tests, or if you might take both but aren't sure which one to take first, you may find it helpful to consider the following questions. You may also wish to discuss the matter with your academic advisor, or you may contact the Placement Coordinator.
A solid foundation of Trigonometry and College Algebra (or Pre-Calculus) is needed for the MRT B. If you have not gone beyond Algebra II or Intermediate Algebra, you should take the MRT A. (Compare your background to the list of MRT topics.)
If you believe you should take the MRT B, but it has been a year or more since your last math course, you might want to first take the MRT A. Although students often believe, “it'll all come back to me when I'm in the test (or in a class)”, our experience shows that doesn't always happen. The longer it has been, the harder it is to review prerequisite material while learning new material. If you do well on the MRT A (which is itself a warmup to get you back into gear), you may wish to then see how you perform on the MRT B. In general, if your math transfer credit is over 18 months old, you will need to take the MRT before taking a UA math course.
If your major requires only general education mathematics courses, you may take the MRT A. However, if you have a strong mathematical background, you might consider the MRT B, so that you have the option of enrolling in a math course appropriate to your background. You can always take a class at a level below the one for which you become eligible. If your major requires a more technical course, such as Calculus or Math for Business Decisions, and you have the proper background, then you should take the MRT B. (Consider your major's requirements to determine which placement level you seek.)
We do not provide sample tests or sample questions. One of the principal purposes of the MRT is to help you place into a course for which you are truly prepared. Any type of prepping or cramming for the MRT usually does not give an accurate assessment of a student's success in a particular course because of the temporary nature of such studying techniques. Some students use our list of topics (see below) to gauge the level of the material they have previously studied. Others use it as a guide for brushing up on some topics.
Most text books with titles containing words such as college algebra, algebra and trigonometry, or precalculus will include chapters covering the material on the MRT. If you already have such a book or find one in a library, you will notice that many of the MRT topics appear in the table of contents. Some students find the algebra editions of the Schaum's Outline series to be useful. These have a workbook format with many examples and can be found in reference sections of bookstores. We have also included some practice problems below for your convenience. These problems are provided as an additional source of practice and do not represent a sample of the questions that will actually appear on the MRT.