If you will be studying in UTP Stage I, you did not take math in year 12 (or equivalent), or scored less than 60% in year 12 math (or equivalent), you will need to take the UTP Stage I Math course (pre-university math) in your first term at ICM.

In order to place you in the most appropriate UTP Stage I Math course for your level, you will be asked to write the Math Placement Test online approximately one to two months before your intake begins.

Why is math important?

Every student must have a university-level math credit in order to graduate from the University of Manitoba. Math skills are also crucial for students who wish to study business, engineering, or science.

ICM provides students with the opportunity to proceed with their university studies while upgrading your math skills.

In addition, in order to enrol in a university-level math course, and be successful in it, year 12 math (or equivalent) or UTP Stage I math is required as a pre-requisite.

Year 12 math (or equivalent) or UTP Stage I math is also a pre-requisite for university-level science courses, including chemistry, biology, and physics. For more information about pre-requisites, please download ICM’s course descriptions from icmanitoba.ca/pre-arrival-and-registration-resources

Do I need to write the Math Placement Test?

Only the following students are required to write the Math Placement Test:

• Students starting at ICM in UTP Stage I
• Students who did not take math in year 12 (or equivalent)
• Students who scored less than 60% in year 12 math (or equivalent)

If you need to write the Math Placement Test, don’t worry! The test is not a pass or fail test. It will have no effect on your GPA or grades at ICM. It is only to place you in the most appropriate math course for your level.

If you are unsure if you are required to write the Math Placement Test, please contact us.

What is the Math Placement Test?

The Math Placement Test is used to determine your current math skill level. The test consists of multiple-choice questions and is completed online using the link that will be emailed to you approximately one month before course registration opens.

The Math Placement Test covers algebra and pre-calculus. The test will include questions from many of the following subject areas: algebra and pre-calculus, graphs and functions, polynomial functions, rational functions, roots of polynomial functions, inverse functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions and properties, exponential and log equations, log and exponential, trigonometric functions, inverse trigonometric functions, systems of equations, trigonometry and applications, sequences, linear functions, quadratic functions and max/min problems, rational and polynomial functions, composite and inverse functions, properties of trig functions, graphs and inverse trig functions, tri identities, and sum and difference formulas double angle formulas.

Once you receive the link, there are no set test times – you may write the test online as soon as you are prepared. The link will be available until course registration ends, but you are strongly encouraged to write your Math Placement Test prior to course registration so your registration is not delayed.

After writing the test, students will be placed in Introduction to Algebra (MTH 099) or grade 12 equivalent mathematics (MTH 103). Note that students starting their math studies at ICM in MTH 099 will also need to complete MTH 103.

In addition, all students must successfully complete year 12 math, or MTH 103 before being eligible to enrol in university-level math and certain university-level sciences.

You should not be nervous about the test! If you don’t score well on the test, that’s perfectly fine – we’ll place in you a math class that reviews more basic math topics to help prepare you for moving forward in your math studies.

Are there resources to help me prepare for the Math Placement Test?

Of course! There are many free resources available online to you to help you prepare.

The Math Placement Test includes a mandatory pre-test. This is a great way to assess your current math knowledge and identify areas for improvement. you can write the pre-test as many times as you'd like. We also recommend you join the free online math tutorial that will review many concepts taught in UTP Stage I math and will be on the Math Placement Test. Access this online resource today at www.icmanitoba.ca/math-placement-tutorial.

You can also get another sneak peek at what the test will look like by completing two sets of sample tests. You can download these from Pre-Arrival and Registration Resources, under Tutorials.

How do I write the Math Placement Test?

Students who are required to write the Math Placement Test will be emailed approximately one month before course registration starts with a link to write the test. Please be sure your email address on your Letter of Offer is current. If you need to update your email address, please contact us.

The link will be available for approximately one month and there are no set test times for students to write the test. You may click on the link and write the test online as soon as you are prepared. You should write the test before course registration opens.

Can I write the test if I haven’t received my visa yet?

Yes! You do not need your visa to write the Math Placement Test.

I wrote the test last term. Can I use those results?

If you wrote the test last semester and experienced visa delays, you have two options available to you:

• Use last term’s results.  If you’d like to do this, please contact us and we will update your file.
• Register for the free online tutorial and try to improve your results from last term.

I lost internet access. What do I do?

Students only have one attempt at the test so it is important to write the test somewhere where you have a good internet connection. We understand this is not always possible. If your internet disconnects while you are writing the test, please contact us and we will let you know your options. Please make sure to quote your student ID in your email.

How can I find out my results?

You will be able to view your Math Placement Test results as soon as you complete the test. You will also be emailed details about your placement after you complete the test.