Basic Mathematical Skills Competency

(Effective Jan. 1, 2005)

 

Click here to see a list of dates when the exam will be given.

 

A Basic Mathematical Skills Competency requirement is one of the requirements for an undergraduate degree from East Stroudsburg University.  This requirement applies to all students, first-year or transfer, who have been admitted to ESU, beginning with those students admitted during Summer 1999.  There are a number of different ways that a student can satisfy this requirement.  Please consult the current Undergraduate Catalog for a full description of this requirement.

 

1.     Have a Mathematics SAT score of 500 or higher. 

2.     Have a rating of Proficient or Advanced on the Grade 11 PSSA test.

3.     Have passed, with a grade of C or higher, a college mathematics course that transfers to East.  This mathematics course must be completed within five years of your entrance to East Stroudsburg University

4.     Achieving a score of 3 or higher on an AP Mathematics course or a passing score (50th percentile) on a General Education Mathematics CLEP exam.

5.     Achieve a passing score on the Basic Mathematical Skills test that will be administered as part of Summer Orientation and which will be offered again at least twice each semester. 

6.     Take and pass MATH 090 Intermediate Algebra. 

 

 

It is expected that a student will satisfy this requirement at an early stage their studies at ESU.  For most students, if this requirement is not satisfied by the beginning of the third semester at ESU restrictions on future registrations may apply.  For transfer students with 60 or more transfer credits, these restrictions will be applied in the second semester. 

 

Please note - MATH 090 or its equivalent (passing the Skills Test) is a pre-requisite for all mathematics courses that are offered at ESU.  If you have not satisfied this requirement you will be removed from any mathematics course that you have scheduled.  So please attempt to satisfy this requirement as soon as possible.

 

There are versions of the test that require the use of a calculator and others that do not.  Each student may choose which version he/she will attempt.  However, if the student wishes to take the version that requires a calculator, then the student MUST SUPPLY HIS/HER OWN CALCULATOR.

 

The tests consists of 32 questions that assess the students basic computational skills, ability to interpret simple graphs, determine elementary geometric facts such as the area, volume and perimeter of basic shapes, and use concepts and techniques from elementary algebra.  A score of 19 or higher is required to satisfy the competency.

 

For more information and some sample questions click here.

 

To return to the Math Department HomePage click here.