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TUTORING AND EXAM PREPARATION
Hostos Academic Learning Center (HALC)
www.hostos.cuny.edu/asc
EXEMPTION CITERIA FROM CUNY MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT EXAM
You may be exempt from the CUNY Mathematics Test based on the following evidence:
  • SAT 1 Math score of 480 or greater
  • SAT Reasoning Test - Math score of 480 or greater
  • ACT Math score of 20 or greater
  • New York State Regents score in Math A or B, or Sequential II or III of 75 or greater
  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited domestic institution
  • 45 or more credits from an accredited domestic institution outside of CUNY
ABOUT THE COMPASS MATH EXAM

The COMPASS Math Exam is a multiple-choice, computer-based test designed to measure students' knowledge of a number of topics in mathematics. The test is organized into four sections: numerical skills/pre-algebra, algebra, college algebra, and trigonometry. Numerical skills/pre-algebra questions range from basic math concepts and skills (integers, fractions, and decimals) to the knowledge and skills that are required in an entry-level algebra course (absolute values, percentages, and exponents). The algebra items are questions from elementary and intermediate algebra (equations, polynomials, formula manipulations, and algebraic expressions). The college algebra section includes questions that measure skills required to perform operations with functions, exponents, matrices, and factorials. The trigonometry section addresses topics such as trigonometric functions and identities, right-triangle trigonometry, and graphs of trigonometric functions.

Placement into CUNY's required basic math courses is based on results of the numerical skills/pre-algebra and algebra sections. The test covers progressively advanced topics with placement into more advanced mathematics or mathematics-related courses based on results of the last two sections of the test.

Students must achieve scaled scores of 27 or more on the numerical skills/pre-algebra section and the algebra section to be CUNY certified. This criterion was chosen in consultation with the CUNY Council of Mathematics Chairs.

Students are not permitted to use calculators while taking the test.

PREPARE FOR THE COMPASS MATHEMATICS EXAM