Mathematics Level 1 Subject Test

• The Mathematics Level 1 Subject Test assesses the knowledge you’ve gained from three years of college-preparatory mathematics, including two years of algebra and one year of geometry.
• If you’ve excelled in these courses, taking the test can support your high school grades, indicate an interest in pursuing math-based programs of study (science, technology, engineering, economics, etc.), and help you differentiate yourself in the admission process.

Test Basics

Scoring, Timing, Number of Questions

• Points - 200-800
• Minutes - 60
• Questions - 50 (Multiple Choice)

Important Notes

• Offered in August, October, November, December, May, and June.
• Calculator use permitted. See calculator policy, including what calculators are acceptable.

Format

• The test has 50 multiple choice questions that are to be answered in one hour.
• All questions have five answer choices. Students receive 1 point for every correct answer, lose ¼ of a point for each incorrect answer, and receive 0 points for questions left blank.
• The questions cover a broad range of topics. Approximately 10-14% of questions focus on Numbers and Operations, 38-42% focus on Algebra and functions, 38-42% focus on Geometry (including Euclidean, coordinate, three-dimensional, and trigonometry), and 6-10% focus on Data analysis, Statistics, and probability.

Calculators

• Be sure to bring a calculator to use on the Mathematics tests. If you take these tests without a calculator, you will be at a disadvantage. In fact, some questions can’t be solved without a scientific or a graphing calculator.
• Verify that your calculator is in good working condition before you take the test.
• If possible, bring batteries and a backup calculator to the test center. No substitute calculators or batteries will be available. Students may not share calculators.
• If your calculator malfunctions during the test and you don’t have a backup calculator, you can cancel scores on just the Mathematics Test. You must tell the proctor when the malfunction occurs in order to cancel scores on these tests only.

Using the Calculator

• You don’t need to use a calculator to solve every question, and it’s important to know when and how to use one. First decide how you will solve a problem; then determine whether the calculator is needed.
• You’ll need a calculator for 40 to 50 percent of the questions on Level 1 and for 55 to 65 percent of the questions on Level 2. For the rest of the questions, there’s no advantage, perhaps even a disadvantage, to using a calculator.
• Don’t round any intermediate calculations. When you get a result from the calculator for the first step of a solution, keep the result in the calculator and use it for the second step. If you round the result from the first step, your answer may not be one of the choices

Geometric Figures

• Figures shown with problems provide information useful in solving the problems. They are drawn as accurately as possible EXCEPT if you see the text “Note: Figure not drawn to scale.”
• This means that degree measures may not be accurately shown and specific lengths may not be drawn in the correct proportions.
• In such cases, the relative positions of points and angles will still be in the correct order. You can also assume that line segments that extend through points and appear to lie on the same line are on the same line.