Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the program?

The purpose is to assess the mathematical preparation of high school sophomores and juniors early enough so they can take corrective action while still in high school and thereby improve their preparation for college-level mathematics courses and avoid placement into remedial mathematics courses.

How does the program benefit students?

Many students are shocked by how poorly they do on the test when they have always felt that they were doing well in mathematics. Thus the test serves as an effective reality check that hopefully convinces students that they must improve their mathematical preparation by working harder in their current mathematics course and by taking additional mathematics courses while still in high school, particularly during their senior year. The message sent to students is one their teachers often send them, but one that is more potent when it comes directly from the colleges.

How will the test be administered?

The 25-question multiple choice test takes about 50 minutes to complete. It can either be taken online at www.mathclass.org or in the traditional manner using bubble sheets.

When will the test be offered?

The test will be offered each fall and spring. The fall test can be taken at the convenience of teachers and students anytime from mid-August to mid-December, and the spring test can be taken anytime from January through May.

How will the schools be contacted?

The principal and the mathematics department chair of every high school in the state will be sent a packet at the beginning of each semester. The packet will contain information about the program and the testing process, and a letter inviting their school to participate. The packet sent to the chair will contain additional information to be distributed to each mathematics teacher at the school.

How will the test results be reported?

Students who take the test will each receive an online letter immediately after submitting their answers. The letter will give their score, a rough idea of their current level of mathematical preparation based on this score, a summary of the mathematical topic involved in each question and whether they answered this question correctly, and additional useful information. When a school is finished testing, a teacher at the school can contact one of the program directors, and they will mail all participating teachers at the school a summary of the test results for each of their participating classes.

How is this test different from other tests of college preparedness such as the ACT?

This test gives students immediate feedback about their current level of mathematical preparation for college and specific diagnostic information about those mathematical topics that they have mastered and those that require further work.

How will the results of the test be used?

The test results will be used only to advise students about the current level of their mathematical preparation for college. The law specifically states that test results cannot be placed on a students high school transcript and cannot be used by postsecondary institutions in the admissions process.

Will the test be used to evaluate or to compare high schools or teachers?

No, the test will not be used to evaluate or to compare high schools or teachers. Teachers will receive a summary of the test results for each of their participating classes, but this information will be for their private use only.

Sponsored by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, Bradford L. Cowgill Interim President Created by House Bill 178 of the 2000 Kentucky General Assembly