Pre-Algebra
Placement Test
How do I do the Placements?
We’ve provided these Placement Tests to help determine the best level for your
student to begin with in the Math-U-See course.
The Placement Tests are made up of two parts.
First part tests computation skills.
1.
2.
Second part (word problems) focuses on thinking skills, and tests the
student’s understanding of the concepts. Remember, we want to build
understanding and not just memorization; knowing when to use math
concepts is just as important as knowing how to do math.
While your student is taking the placement test, watch for things such as:
• are using finger counting, touch points, or tally marks;
• watch for patterns such as missing steps, careless errors, or incorrect
methods.
Careful observation of the test-taking can often reveal difficulties your student is
having with a particular concept much better than simply basing understanding on a
right or wrong answer. If you know your student can count to ten verbally, recognize
the numbers 0 to 10, and is ready for formalized instruction, then we recommend
starting with the Alpha Placement Test. If the student demonstrates mastery of the
Alpha level, move to the Beta level and work higher from there. If your student is
struggling with basic number recognition, we suggest starting with Primer.
For younger students or students who are struggling with math, we find that best
place to start when determining proper placement is with the Alpha Placement Test.
This starting point may seem unnecessary for every student, especially those in
upper elementary, but parents are often surprised to find that a misunderstood
arithmetic computation concept is what is actually hindering a student’s overall
progress in mathematics.
Pre-Algebra Placement Test
Pre-Algebra Competency Exam
To receive the full benefit of this test, watch the student to ensure he has mastered the concepts presented
in Pre-Algebra.
If he demonstrates proficiency, he is ready to move on to Algebra 1.
If he struggles with the material on this exam, he should begin in Pre-Algebra.
1) (-8) + (-25) =
2) (-7) x (-15) =
3) (11) - (-6) =
4) (-45) ÷ (9) =
6) -(5)2
7) (-8)2
8) (- 2 )2
Simplify.
5) -13
3
Write in exponential notation.
9) 95.214
Write in standard notation.
10) 1 x 103 + 8 x 102 + 2 x 101 + 5 x 100 + 6 x
1
101
Simplify each expression.
11)
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100 =
12)
Y2 =
Simplify and solve for the unknown. Use order of operations
as needed. Check your work.
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13) 8 · 2 + 52 - Y = 2(Y + 1) + 6
14) Check
15) 8M - 4M - 6 - 3 + 5M = 82 - 1
16) Check
17) (-3)2 ÷ 9 + 6 = D
18) Check
Solve for the unknown.
19)
1 = 7
8
Y
20)
11 = A
12
48
21) Allen has a debt of $500. He owes equal amounts to ten different people. Express his debt to
one person as a negative number.
22) If Silas added 5 years to his age, he would be 39. How old is Silas now? Write as an equation
and solve.
23) Three times a number, plus eight, equals two times the number, plus ten. Write an equation and find
the number.
24) A triangle has sides of 3 inches, 4 inches and 5 inches. Is it a right triangle?
25) One out of eight students has red hair. If there are twenty-four students, how many have red hair?
26) A room is 15 feet long, 13 feet wide, and 10 feet high. The walls, ceiling, and floor are all to be
painted the same color. How many square feet are to be painted?
Solutions
1) -33
16) 8(8) - 4(8) - 6 - 3 + 5(8) = 82 - 1
64 - 32 - 9 + 40 = 64 - 1
63 = 63
2) 105
3) 17
17) (-3)2 ÷ 9 + 6 = D
9÷9+6=D
1+6=D
7=D
4) -5
5) -1
6) -25
7) 64
8)
18) (-3)2 ÷ 9 + 6 = (7)
9 ÷ 9 + 6 = (7)
1 + 6 = (7)
7 = (7)
4
9
9) 9 x 101 + 5 x 100 + 2 x 1/101 +
1 x 1/102 + 4 x 1/103
10)
1,825.6
19) Y = 56
20) 12A = 528
A = 44
11)
±10
21)
12) ±Y
$-500 ÷ 10 = $-50
22) A + 5 = 39
A + 5 - 5 = 39 = 5
A = 34
13) 8 · 2 + 52 - Y = 2(Y + 1) + 6
16 + 25 - Y = 2Y + 2 + 6
41 - Y = 2Y + 8
33 = 3Y
11 = Y
23) 3X + 8 = 2X + 10
3X = 2X + 2
X=2
14) 8 · 2 + 52 - (11) = 2((11) + 1) + 6
16 + 25 - (11) = 2(11) + 2 + 6
41 - (11) = 22 + 8
30 = 30
24) 32 + 42 = 52
9 + 16 = 25
25 = 25; yes
25)
15) 8M - 4M - 6 - 3 + 5M = 82 - 1
9M - 9 = 64 - 1
9M = 63 + 9
9M = 72
M=8
1= X
8 24
8X = 24
X = 3 students
26) 2(15 x 13) + 2(15 x 10) + 2(13 x 10) =
2(195) + 2(150) + 2(130) =
390 + 300 + 260 = 950 sq. ft.
#7
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