When you come to New Mexico State University, you may be asked to take the Mathematics Placement Examination (MPE). Your initial placement level is based on your Math ACT (or SAT) score and your high school grade point average. The MPE will help to determine in which mathematics course you will be placed. If you are dissatisfied with your initial placement, you may choose to take the MPE and achieve a qualifying score. If you wish to enroll in Math 1511G (Calculus I), you must take the MPE and achieve a qualifying score.
The problems on this practice exam will help you review your mathematical skills and give you an idea of what is on the test. The actual test is multiple-choice and has 40 problems broken down as follows:
Part I (1-10) Algebra I
Part II (11–20) Algebra II
Part III (21-30) Precalculus Algebra
Part IV (31-40) Trigonometry
| Placement Exam Score | Placement Level | Math Course Placement |
| 0, 1, 2, or 3 on Part I | 0 | CCDM 103N |
| 4 or 5 on Part II | 1 | CCDM 114N |
| at least 6 on Part I | 2 | MATH 1215, 1130G |
| a total of at least 12 on Parts 1 and 2 | 3 | MATH 1134, 1220G, 1350G, 2350G |
| a total of at least 19 on Parts 1, 2 and 3 | 4 | MATH 1430G, 1250G |
| at least 6 on each of the 4 parts | 5 | MATH 1511G, 1435, 1535 |
Note: A calculator is neither required nor necessary. However, you will be allowed to use a non graphing scientific calculator like the TI-30.
