Information for Incoming Freshmen
At Texas A&M University, ALL incoming freshman are required to take a Math Placement Exam (MPE) prior to attending their NSC. The version of the MPE each student takes, and whether they need to sign up for a proctored or unproctored MPE, is dependent upon their major. Information regarding which MPE students should take, and whether is it proctored or unproctored, is provided in the sections below.
To access the Math Placement Exam (MPE), log in to the Howdy portal using your NetID, click on the Applicant tab, select Admissions, and then choose Math Placement Exam from the drop-down menu.
Incoming Freshmen who are Required to Take the Proctored MPE
All students admitted to the College of Engineering and those students admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences with majors in the Departments of Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, and Statistics must register to take a proctored MPE.
The proctored MPE is done online (through Zoom) by TAMU personnel. Students must register to take the proctored MPE before May 15. When they register, they must select a testing date that is BEFORE their new student conference (NSC) date. Advisers need the score on the MPE to help students register for classes, so students must make sure they take the exam before attending their NSC.
Registering for the Proctored MPE (Complete registration before May 15, 2024)
To complete the registration for the proctored MPE students must follow these steps:
STEP 1: Register for their NSC.
STEP 2: Register to take the proctored MPE on a date that is given BEFORE their scheduled NSC.
Once the proctored MPE registration is complete, students will receive emails with more details about taking the proctored MPE. Students need to check their university email address (i.e., @tamu email) regularly to stay informed about the specifics of how the MPE is proctored online.
Retaking the Proctored MPE
Students taking the proctored MPE for MATH 151/147/171 have ONE opportunity to retake the MPE if they are dissatisfied with their score. The highest MPE score will be used for math course placement purposes. To read more about the next steps for retaking the proctored MPE for MATH 151/147/171 visit the website hosted by the TAMU College of Engineering. Though the information is on the College of Engineering website, it applies to all students who are required to take the proctored MPE.
Incoming freshmen who take the unproctored MPE
All students who are NOT listed above take an unproctored MPE. These students need to take their MPE before their New Student Conference (NSC) and they can take the MPE online, no registration is required. The specific MPE each student takes (i.e., the MPE for MATH 151/147/171 or the MPE for MATH 142) depends on their declared major. When students log into the MPE testing platform, they will be automatically directed to the MPE that aligns with their major.
Taking the Unproctored MPE
To complete the MPE students taking the unproctored MPE must:
Log into the Howdy Portal.
Navigate to the Applicant tab and click on Admissions.
Click on the link for the Math Placement Exam and follow the instructions for the Math Placement Exam. Students will be automatically directed to the appropriate MPE based on their major.
If your MPE doesn't show up on the platform, please contact math-placement@tamu.edu to update your account.
Retaking the unproctored MPE
Students can retake an MPE that is not proctored a total of three times with a two-week waiting period between attempts. The highest MPE score will be used for placement purposes.