What is an early mathematics placement test?
Many high school students that enter a NC community college, the UNC System, or private colleges and universities will be given a mathematics placement test. This test will determine the student’s entry level for enrollment in collegiate mathematics. The North Carolina Early Mathematics Placement Testing (NC EMPT) Program better prepares high school students for college mathematics placement and gives them early warning by having them experience a test that is similar in content to the actual placement test. We also provide excellent feedback for the student and the teacher!
Is it really free?
YES! There is no charge to participating schools! The State of North Carolina supports NC EMPT in its efforts to help reduce the amount of mathematics remediation needed by incoming freshmen. To minimize expenses, we would like to mail, at one time, all the tests that you request for the entire school year. However, if your enrollment for the second block semester is unknown, you may sign up a second time. We will send a reminder of your spring testing date.
How many questions and what type of questions are on the test?
The NC EMPT test includes 32 questions. Most of the questions are based on algebra skills. Also included are questions involving numeration, geometry, trigonometry, probability, and statistics.
CLICK HERE to see a sample of questions from released tests
The NC EMPT placement test is calculator optional. Should we use a calculator or not?
None of the test questions are designed to require the use of a calculator. However, the choice to allow a calculator is made by the teacher. Keep in mind that some of the fifteen UNC institutions across the state do not allow the use of a calculator on their math placement tests, and others allow various kinds of calculators. Here are the most up-to-date standings:
How long does it take to administer the test?
Allow 10-15 minutes to distribute materials, fill out information, and answer background questions. This can be completed on a day prior to testing. The recommended time to answer the test questions is 50-55 minutes. Students that have been identified by your counseling department as qualifying for additional time for testing should follow the same guidelines
when taking the NC EMPT test. The time of day that the test is given is also flexible. If class time cannot be spared, feel free to test before or after school. Also, teachers within one math department do not necessarily have to test on the same day.
Who and when should we test?
The target audience includes students from North Carolina public and non-public high schools that are currently enrolled in and close to completing Algebra II or NC Math 3. In addition, students who have yet to complete these courses or have already completed these courses are still eligible and are strongly encouraged to test (or retest) at any convenient time. It is very important that students maintain their mathematics skills and not get “rusty” as they move up the mathematics ladder, or to have expectations laid out at an early stage.
We are very flexible about testing dates and would like to accommodate your schedule. School calendars for high schools across the state vary greatly, so please choose testing dates that will allow two weeks from the date you mail completed Opscans to us to the date results are received back at your school.
Who receives the testing results and how are these results reported?
For paper-and-pencil testing, completed opscan forms (answer sheets) are mailed to the NC EMPT testing center at East Carolina University (ECU). Tests are graded quickly, with results mailed from ECU within 1-3 days of receipt. Paper results include summaries by class period for each teacher by class/period, as well as an individualized results letter for each student. The results are returned to the participating teachers and students ONLY, and are confidential. The NC EMPT Program exists to provide nonthreatening, helpful advice about future college mathematics expectations.
CLICK HERE to see an example of a student response letter
Ready to start testing?
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