Math Placement Test

NAU’s Math Placement Test assesses math content from beginning algebra through precalculus. It is not required for all students to take, but gives you a chance to check and/or demonstrate your knowledge of this range of math content.

The decision whether or not to take the Math Placement Test should be made in light of a range of details about your current Math Placement, the target first MAT or STA course for your intended major, etc. Feel free to reach out to your academic advisor or to Math Placement staff to discuss these details.

The Math Placement Test is administered through your NAU Canvas account – details for enrolling in the required “course” within Canvas are provided below under “Ready to test”. Once you are enrolled in the Math Placement course in Canvas, a wide range of resources are provided to help you prepare for the Math Placement Test. When you feel ready to attempt the Math Placement Test, detailed step-by-step instructions are provided in Canvas.

Students on NAU’s Mountain Campus in Flagstaff can choose to attempt the Math Placement Test in person in the Testing Room of the Lumberjack Mathematics Center. Students who qualify for ability-specific testing accommodations can contact NAU’s Office of Disability Resources, who will work with Math Placement staff to assure necessary accommodations are provided.

If you choose to take the Math Placement Test remotely, it will be proctored through an online tool called Honorlock. Specific technical requirements for completing the Math Placement Test while utilizing Honorlock are given below.

Once you have completed the Math Placement Test, your score will be uploaded to LOUIE (NAU’s academic record system) and your Math Placement level will be updated accordingly. (This process typically takes about 48 hours; if you encounter a longer processing time, feel free to reach out to Math Placement staff.) You are encouraged to speak with your academic advisor about your Math Placement Test results and discuss changes to course enrollment you may be considering.

Math Placement staff are always happy to answer questions you may have about the Math Placement Test or to work through any issues you may encounter. Don’t hesitate to email mathplacement@nau.edu with any questions.

The Math Placement Test is administered through your NAU Canvas account, so you first must have your NAU username and password to be able to access this account.

While attempting the Math Placement Test, you must have a stable internet connection. In addition, the computer you are working on must have a functioning camera and microphone. During the test, the Honorlock proctoring tool will access your computer’s camera to record video of you and your testing environment.

Honorlock is implemented as an extension for your web browser. It works most efficiently with Google Chrome, so you are encouraged to use Chrome when accessing and completing the Math Placement Test.

You are allotted two hours to complete the Math Placement Test. Please make sure you have sufficient time set aside to carefully work through the entire test.

When you are ready to begin the Math Placement Test, you should ensure that all of the following details are in place:

• You will take the test on your own – you should not get help from other people, websites, apps, books, notes, or formula pages
• You should try to ensure you are in a room alone when testing
• Photo ID is required to begin the test
• Cell phones cannot be present within your testing environment
• Calculators cannot be present within your testing environment
• No face masks can be worn during testing
• You can use one piece of blank paper and a pencil
• Detach extra monitors before attempting the Math Placement Test — the Honorlock proctoring system does not permit additional monitors

Honorlock Details

Honorlock is an online proctoring tool used to support academic integrity. As part of the proctoring process, students will have to provide proof of identity and will be monitored during the test.

What will happen at the start of my proctored exam?

Verify Chrome extension: Honorlock will first check to make sure you are using the Chrome browser and that you have the Honorlock extension installed. A link will be provided to install Chrome and the extension if necessary.

Single display: If you have more than one display connected to your computer, you will be asked to disconnect your other displays before you may continue.

Webcam photos: You will be asked to snap a photo of your face with your webcam, to snap a photo of your photo ID with your webcam, and to scan the room you are in with your webcam to make sure you are in a private location with no prohibited materials.

How does the proctoring work?

During your exam, your face will be recorded to make sure you are not looking at other materials or interacting with other people. Your screen will be recorded to make sure you are not accessing prohibited materials on your computer. If Honorlock’s AI detects a potential issue, a live proctor may “pop in” to discuss the situation with you. Math Placement staff will have access to the recorded proctored session after your test and may invalidate your test results if academic dishonesty occurred.

What if I have problems during the exam?

Honorlock offers support 24/7/365. The best way to contact Honorlock Support during a test is to use the Live Chat feature which is always visible when Honorlock is running. You may also call their toll-free support number, 844-243-2500.

Once you are enrolled in the Math Placement course in Canvas, a range of resources are provided to help you prepare for the Math Placement Test. Look for the blue “Ready to practice?” section within the Canvas course – here you will find a Practice Test that you can attempt as many times as you like as well as a Study Plan that is catered to your particular strengths and weaknesses.

These resources not only review specific math content that will be assessed on the Math Placement Test, but they also help you gain familiarity with the online interface used by the test.

The Peak Performance program is a flexible online summer program designed to help incoming first-year students who are looking to refresh their math skills during the summer before their first fall semester. A peer Math Coach supports each participant through a review of math content while also giving general guidance for an effective transition to university life.

Click here to find out more about the Peak Performance program.

1. Click here to enroll in the Math Placement course in Canvas.
2. Wait approximately 10 minutes for the enrollment process to complete.
3. Log in to your NAU Canvas account.
4. Click on the course titled Math Placement Course 03.
5. Follow details provided there to access preparatory resources, attempt the Math Placement Test, and find information about your results after your test is complete.

Once you have completed the Math Placement Test, your score will be uploaded to LOUIE (NAU’s academic record system) and your Math Placement level will be updated accordingly. (This process typically takes about 48 hours; if you encounter a longer processing time, feel free to reach out to Math Placement staff.)

You are encouraged to speak with your academic advisor about your Math Placement Test results and discuss changes to course enrollment you may be considering.