ACCUPLACER Math Placement Test
The exam will be conducted with a proctor. Be sure to review our General Testing Rules page.
The ACCUPLACER Advanced Algebra and Functions (AAF) Placement Test and Math Milestones. The AAF is an untimed, multiple choice, computer-based test. The exam does not affect acceptance to the college. The AAF can be used to determine a student’s Math Milestone. Math Milestones are used by Hunter College to establish a student’s past level of math achievement. Math Milestones enable students to register in mathematics and statistics coursework at Hunter College for which they show competent preparation. Students, who score 276 on the ACCUPLACER Advanced Algebra and Functions Placement Test and wish to register for a Level 2 Math Milestone course at Hunter College are required to take the Calculus Readiness Test (CRT). If you do not wish to enroll in a Level 2 Math Milestone course, you do not need to take the CRT.
First time freshmen will be assigned a Math Milestone based solely on their high school math coursework and math GPA. After that, students should take the placement test only if they have reason to believe their assigned Math Milestone does not reflect their background and history of achievement in mathematics.
Transfer students must take the placement test before they can take a mathematics or statistics course, unless they have college-level transfer credit that is equivalent to Hunter prerequisites needed to take a mathematics or statistics course. The placement test must be taken before they register for any mathematics, statistics, science or liberal arts course at Hunter College that has a mathematics or statistics course pre- or co-requisite, unless they satisfy one of the few exemptions listed below.
After you have taken the placement test, if you have reason to believe that your Math Milestone does not reflect your background and history of achievement in mathematics, you can initiate an appeal process. Click here to access the appeal form.
Visit the Office of Advising's website for help with selecting the correct introductory math course, which may depend on your anticipated major.
Exemptions
- There are two math courses with no prerequisites that can be used to satisfy the Hunter College Core Requirement in Math and Quantitative Reasoning (MQR Core) without a Math Milestone or taking the placement test:
Math 10000 Basic Structures of Mathematics, 3 credits, 3 hours
Math 10200 Mathematics and Everyday Life, 3 credits, 3 hours
All other mathematics and statistics courses have prerequisites that can be satisfied by competent scores on the AAF and the CRT.
- For entering freshmen, exemption is only given for a score of 4 or higher on an AP Calculus AB or Calculus BC Test. Students who score a 4 or higher will earn credit for calculus. Students, who have taken an AP Calculus AB or Calculus BC Test but do not yet know their score, need to take the AAF and plan for alternative coursework. (AP Calculus AB and Calculus BC test scores of at least 4 supersede the AAF placement test score.)
- Although CLEP exams are not given credit, they can be used to establish equivalency with prerequisites (see a math advisor for details if you have taken a CLEP math exam).
When Do I Take the Placement Test?
The AAF and CRT should be taken well in advance of your course registration date to avoid unanticipated registration problems that can happen when a course has a math prerequisite that is not met. If you are not sure if you will be taking a course that has a mathematics or statistics prerequisite, you should take the placement test to establish your choices and avoid potential delays in your progress toward a degree. Be sure to visit our Prepare and Register for the Math Placement Test webpage.
Taking the AAF Placement Test and the Calculus Readiness Test (CRT)
The AAF placement test and CRT are conducted by the Hunter College Testing Center.
On the day of an in person exam, students must present valid physical photo (non-electronic) identification to test. Note: Only the calculator built into the AAF is permitted. No other computerized or personal calculator is allowed to be used while taking the exam. Calculators are not allowed for the CRT.
There is no fee associated with Hunter College students taking the placement test at Hunter College . Students must know their 8 digit CUNYfirst Student ID number to test. In addition, access to CUNY Blackboard is required to take the CRT. There are 20 questions to the AAF. There are 30 questions to the CRT.
Placement Test Results
The scores you achieve on the exam(s) are used in determining your math course placement. At the conclusion of the exam, you will be given your score(s). Kindly note that it can take a few days for the Math Department to update your CUNYfirst record with a Math Milestone. You can use the following chart to determine which course you need to take:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS COURSE PLACEMENT
For most students, the math course placement will be on target. However, if you have reason to believe the results do not reflect your background and history of achievements in mathematics, you can initiate an appeal process. Click here to access the appeal form.
Click here to view some frequently asked questions and answers
All inquiries pertaining to testing at Hunter College may be addressed by sending an email to the Testing Center.