Physics and Astronomy Department
San Francisco State University
Physics Readiness Exam
Math Qualification Test for Introductory Physics – Physics 111 or Physics 220
In addition to meeting course prerequisites, students wishing to enroll in Physics 111 or Physics 220
must demonstrate adequate competence in mathematics by achieving a satisfactory score on the
Physics Readiness Exam. This exam will be given during the first week of classes, either at a lecture
meeting or a lab meeting. The passing score is set by the faculty teaching each course; typically it is
about 50% for Physics 111 and 65% for Physics 220. It is our experience that students who cannot
pass this test will not be able to successfully complete introductory physics, and we therefore will
drop from Physics 111 or 220 any such students. Students who fail the readiness test should sign up
for Physics 140, Preparation for Physics, which is offered each semester.
The test covers the following topics:
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Exponents, roots, and scientific notation - ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and take
powers and roots of variables and numbers expressed in scientific notation.
Algebra – Ability to solve linear and quadratic algebraic equations, including use of the
quadratic formula. Ability to solve for one variable in terms of other variables. Ability to solve a
set of two simultaneous equations.
Geometry – Basic knowledge of angles, triangles, perimeters and areas of figures.
Trigonometry – Ability to use sin, cos, and tan functions and the Pythagorean theorem.
Graphing – Knowledge and ability to work with graphs of linear and quadratic functions,
including understanding slopes and intercepts and ability to write the equation for a straight line
based on knowledge of the coordinates of two points on the line.
Brief lists of relevant formulas and relationships may be found in the back of the introductory
physics textbooks:
 For Physics 111, Appendices A, C, D, and E of Physics, by Cutnell and Johnson
 For Physics 220, Appendix I, Sections A and B of Physics, The Nature of Things, by Lea and
Burke.
There are several math review books that might be helpful in preparing for this test, such as:
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Maths, by Jenny Olive
Just-in-Time Algebra and Trigonometry, by Mueller and Brent
Precalculus – A Self-Teaching Guide, by Slavin, Crisonino, and Slavin