Recommended action items for students with Math Placement Exam 4 (MPE4) scores below 22:
After taking your MPE4, it is possible to use the remaining months of the summer to become calculus-ready for the fall semester. Options range from taking a pre-calculus course at your local community college to signing up for Texas A&M University’sPersonalized Pre-calculus Program (PPP)or studying on your own and retaking the MPE4 in July or August. More information about pursuing these and other options will be provided to impacted students following their exam date.
Post-MPE4 Recommendations
The following are recommendations to help you use your remaining time this summer to become calculus-ready for the fall semester. Because your success in math is critical to your success as an engineering student, we recommend one of the following pathways to help you prepare for enrollment in MATH 151 this fall.
Option 1 - Take a pre-calculus class this summer (This option is most feasible between June and July).
- Successful completion of pre-calculus (Texas A&M MATH 150 equivalent) this summer with a grade of A or B puts you on a direct path to take MATH 151 this fall! You can find MATH 150 equivalent classes at most community colleges. Equivalent classes for most institutions can be found in theTransfer Course Equivalency guide. Be sure to send your transcript to Texas A&M once you’ve completed the class. If you are enrolled in Texas A&M Engineering at Blinn, be sure to send your transcript to Blinn College.
Option 2 - Enroll in the PPP and take one online-proctored MPE4 after successful completion of the PPP.
- Enroll in the PPP at Texas A&M — a three-week, fully online program designed to improve the success rates of students who will be taking a calculus class at Texas A&M. The PPP fee is $225. The short summer sessions are designed to reinforce or reteach the prerequisite concepts and skills that are needed for students to be successful in calculus. More information is available online atTexas A&M's PPP website. Once you complete your PPP, retake information will be provided in June 2023. Be sure to contact your assigned academic advisor after you complete your MPE4 retake.
Option 3 - Study independently and retake the MPE4 in late July or early August.
- If you need a more economical option, you can study independently and then retake the MPE4 in late July or early August. The math department provides several resources for your use.
- Online practice problemsare provided by the Math Learning Center.
- The math department also provides a “pencil and paper” practice test for your use (e.g.,MPE Practice Test,MPE Practice Test Solutions). The “pencil and paper” practice test is very much like the web-based practice exam except there are no multiple choice answers. Reminder: Calculators are not allowed during the exam.
- Registration for retake exam dates will be available in June 2023.
Option 4 – Maximize Credit by Examination for MATH 150.
- College Level Exam Program (CLEP) exams are offered for students who want to earn college credit and can be taken at Texas A&M or at your local testing center.
- You can take the CLEP exam at Texas A&M after you have registered for classes; the fee is $120. A minimum score of 50 is needed to receive credit for MATH 150 at Texas A&M. For more information about the CLEP exam at Texas A&M, please visit theCLEP information pageon Texas A&M's Testing Services website.
- Study guides and more information regarding the CLEP examcan be found at theCollege Board website.
- International Baccalaureate (IB) credit cannot be used in place of the math placement exam, but the appropriate minimum score allows you the opportunity to enroll in MATH 151 in the fall semester. Please consult your academic advisor to discuss your pathway.
Exam |
Score |
Course Credit Earned |
Recommended First Course |
Further Mathematics SL |
5 |
MATH 150 |
Take MATH 151 |
Mathematics SL |
4 |
MATH 150 |
Take MATH 151 |
Mathematics HL |
4 |
MATH 150 |
Take MATH 151 |
Mathematics HL |
5 |
MATH 150 and MATH 151 |
Take MATH 151 |
Mathematics Methods SL |
5 |
MATH 150 |
Take MATH 151 |
Mathematics Studies SL |
5 |
MATH 150 |
Take MATH 151 |