Mathematics Placement Assessment

The results will enable us to determine the appropriate mathematics course for you based on demonstrated ability and choice of major. 

Your performance on this assessment will not adversely affect your admission status, eligibility for financial aid or grade in any course. We simply don’t want you to waste your time or money taking a mathematics course that is too easy or too hard for you.

The Assessment

• The complete assessment is three online sections. It is not timed and shouldn’t take longer than an hour to complete.
• You may use pencil and paper for your calculations but no books, notes, calculators or assistance from anyone.
• You are not expected to know how to solve all of the problems. Every question has an “I don’t think I’ve learned this yet” choice you can use for questions about topics you have not studied.

Take the Placement Assessment

Incoming First Year Students

The assessment is available online in Canvas. Please refer to the welcome email sent to your personal email account for your log-in information. If you did not receive one, or for any questions, please contact the Office of Admission at [email protected] or 978-837-5100.

1. Go to canvas.merrimack.edu and sign in with your Merrimack email address and password.
2. Select the “Courses” and Math Placement Assessment. You can find the courses on your Dashboard or by clicking on Courses in the sidebar.
3. Click on START HERE: Instructions for Taking the Mathematics Placement Assessment to access instructions. Read the instructions.
4. Complete the assessment.
5. We can then review your results in order for you to take an appropriate course. Not all students take math in their first semester. Your scores will be stored in MyMack so that you and your advisor can view them at any time.

Transfer Students

• Transfer students who do not have credit for a Calculus I or higher-level college mathematics course should take the assessment.
• Please refer to the Transfer Credit Evaluation Sheet sent to you by the Admission Office. This document lists those courses that we have already accepted in transfer as well as any that may still be under review.

Current Merrimack College Students 

You must take the assessment before registering for your first math course unless you have transfer credit for MTH 1115 or MTH 1217. The assessment is administered online in Canvas.

If you have not taken the assessment but are enrolled in the “course” in Canvas:

1. Go to canvas.merrimack.edu and sign in with your Merrimack email address and password.
2. Select “Courses” and Math Placement Assessment. You can find the course on your Dashboard or by clicking on Courses in the sidebar
3. Click on START HERE: Instructions for Taking the Mathematics Placement Assessment to access the instructions. Read the instructions.
4. Complete the assessment.

If you have additional questions about the assessment or scores, please call 978-837-5278, email the Academic Success Center ([email protected]) or the Office of the Registrar ([email protected]).

If you have not taken the assessment and it is not listed in Canvas, please contact the Academic Success Center at [email protected] or 978-837-5278.

Questioning Your Score

If you have taken the assessment but do not feel that your score accurately reflects your level of mathematical ability, you may retake it in a proctored environment. Please contact Arts and Sciences Advising at [email protected] to discuss your score.

Troubleshooting the Assessment

The placement assessment is administered through Canvas. The tips below will help ensure you have a smooth experience.

• If you do not see the assessment on your dashboard when you log into Canvas, click on “Courses” in the left-hand sidebar, then click “All Courses” at the top of the menu that appears. You will be taken to a list of all of your Canvas courses. The assessment will appear in the list of Canvas courses.
• If the assessment is not on this list, email [email protected] to request to be enrolled in the assessment.
• If you are unable to load the assessment from within the Canvas course, be sure to:
  • Switch to “light” mode if your device is set to “dark” mode
  • Use a computer rather than mobile device or tablet
  • Open the assessment in Google Chrome rather than Safari or another browser

Note: You will not be able to access the assessments until you’ve completed your initial Merrimack.edu account creation. Visit the MackApps page  and click “New User Login” at the top to get started.