Placement Test Center
_____________________________________________________________
Thomas Rousseau, M.Ed. – Assistant Dean of Academic Support Services
trousseau@fitchburgstate.edu
ACCUPLACER College-Level Mathematics Test
A total of 20 questions are administered in the College-Level Mathematics Test (CLM). CLM
assesses proficiency in intermediate algebra through pre-calculus. At Fitchburg State University
students who score 95 or higher are eligible to enroll in Calculus I.
Questions administered in this test, representing six general categories, are as follows:
• A l g e b r a i c Operations, including simplifying rational algebraic expressions, factoring
and expanding polynomials, and manipulating roots and exponents.
• S o l u t i o n s of Equations and Inequalities, including the solution of linear and
quadratic equations and inequalities, systems of equations, and other algebraic equations.
• C o o r d i n a t e Geometry involving plane geometry, the coordinate plane, straight
lines, conics, sets of points in the plane, and graphs of algebraic functions.
• Applications and Other Algebra Topics, including complex numbers, series and
sequences, determinants, permutations and combinations, factorials, and word problems.
• F u n c t i o n s including questions involving polynomial, algebraic, exponential, and
logarithmic functions.
 Trigonometry including trigonometric functions.
College-Level Mathematics Proficiency Statements
Total Right Score of About 63
Students scoring at this level can demonstrate the following additional skills:
 identify common factors
• f a c t o r binomials and trinomials
• m a n i p u l a t e factors to simplify complex fractions
• w o r k with algebraic expressions involving real number exponents
• f a c t o r polynomial expressions
• s i m p l i f y and perform arithmetic operations with rational expressions, including
complex fractions
• s o l v e and graph linear equations and inequalities
• s o l v e absolute value equations
• s o l v e quadratic equations by factoring
• g r a p h simple parabolas
• u n d e r s t a n d function notation, such as determining the value of a function for a specific
number in the domain
• have a limited understanding of the concept of function on a more sophisticated level, such
as determining the value of the composition of two functions.
 have a rudimentary understanding of coordinate geometry and trigonometry
Total Right Score of About 86
Students scoring at this level can demonstrate the following additional skills:
• u n d e r s t a n d polynomial functions
• e v a l u a t e and simplify expressions involving functional notation, including
composition of functions solve simple equations involving:
• t r i g o n o m e t r i c functions
• l o g a r i t h m i c functions
• e x p o n e n t i a l functions
Total Right Score of About 103
Students scoring at this level can demonstrate the following additional skills:
• p e r f o r m algebraic operations and solve equations with complex numbers
• u n d e r s t a n d the relationship between exponents and logarithms and the rules that
govern the manipulation of logarithms and exponents
• u n d e r s t a n d trigonometric functions and their inverses
solve trigonometric equations manipulate trigonometric identities solve right triangle
problems
• r e c o g n i z e graphic properties of functions such as absolute value, quadratic, and
logarithmic
Reference Guide
for College Level Mathematics ACCUPLACER Placement Test
(A score of 95 or better meets the prerequisite required for enrolling MATH 2300 Calculus I)
You are allowed to use a non-graphing calculator and the trigonometric information provided below
during the exam. This is a difficult exam to pass at this level.
If you have questions or would like to request additional resources for preparing, please contact Mary
Ann Barbato – Mathematics Department Chairperson at msaadi@fitchburgstate.edu or (978)665-3211.