Mathematics Placement Test

Not Available
2018-09-03

Purpose of the Test

The Mathematics Placement Test is a pass-fail test!

The placement test gives a measure of a student's mathematical skills and knowledge of specific concepts at the time, and the results are used to determine eligibility for enrollment in MATH1510 (Calculus for Engineers) in order to complete one of the graduation requirements for an Engineering programme.

A student will take the placement test only once on 3rd September 2018. Any student who fails the test must take both MATH1020 (General Mathematics) and MATH1510 (Calculus for Engineers) in Term 1, 2018-19. Any student who passes the test will only have to take MATH1510.

There are no exemptions made for the placement test!

Placement Test Schedule

The placement test is now scheduled for 5:30p.m. - 6:30p.m. on Monday, 3rd September 2018. Alternate seating will be arranged.

Please arrive at 5:00p.m. at Lecture Theatre 1, Lady Shaw Building to complete the test registration before the start of the test. 

 

Important Notes

All students attended the placement test will be pre-assigned to MATH1020 as an interim arrangement. Once you pass the placement test, the Faculty of Engineering shall drop the MATH1020 for you so that you can add any other courses at your discretion.

 

General Characteristics of the Test

  1. The paper and pencil test consists entirely of multiple choice questions, each with six choices.
  2. There are 30 multiple-choice questions worth 4 points each for a total of 120 points. Each item has only one acceptable answer. There is no penalty for any question if you pick the choice “I don’t know” for your answer. But there is a penalty for incorrectly guessing the answer. 
  3. Calculators are NOT permitted during the test.
  4. Bring a valid, physical photo ID such as HKID or passport (not expired) with a #2 pencil.
  5. You are NOT allowed to use the followings during the test:
  • Cell phones, smart phones, and other electronic devices.
  • Any clocks, timers, or watches that beep or have audible alarms.

 

Test Description

The Mathematics Placement Test consists of 30 multiple-choice questions covering three main areas: arithmetic & algebra, trigonometry, calculus (differentiation and integration). 

Below is a list of topics covered in the Mathematics Placement Test, which can be used as a study guide.

  1. Arithmetic & Algebra
  • Inequalities
  1. Inequalities involving absolute value
  2. Table of signs for polynomial and rational inequalities
  • Functions
  1. Domain
  2. Operations including compositions
  3. Inverses
  4. Graphs
  5. Symmetry
  6. Transformations: shifts, reflections, stretching and shrinking`
  7. Systems of Linear Equations
  • Quadratic functions and equations
  1. Applications involving quadratic equations
  2. Parabolas
  3. Finding local/global extrema
  4. Solving quadratic equations involving radicals
  • Polynomials
  1. Long division
  2. Factorization
  3. Multiplicities of roots
  4. Shape of graph
  5. Writing polynomial functions with given properties
  • Rational functions
  1. Finding intercepts and asymptotes
  2. Graphs sketching without calculator
  • Exponential and Logarithmic functions
  1. Definition
  2. Graphs
  3. Exponent rules
  4. Laws of logarithms
  5. Exponential and logarithmic equations
  6. Exponential growth and decay

 

  1. Trigonometry
  • Basic Trigonometry
  1. Converting between radian and degree
  2. Arc length, sector area and angular speed
  • Trigonometric functions
  1. Definition using right-triangle
  2. Definition using unit circle
  3. Graphs of standard trigonometric functions
  4. Sinusoidal graphs
  5. Definitions of secant, cosecant and cotangent
  • Solving triangles
  1. Right triangles
  2. Law of cosines
  3. Law of sines
  • Trigonometric identities
  1. Reciprocal identities
  2. Pythagorean identities
  3. Negative-angle identities
  4. Periodicity identities
  5. Angle sum and difference identities
  6. Double-angle identities
  7. Half-angle identities
  • Trigonometric equations
  1. Finding general solutions

 

  1. Calculus (differentiation and integration)
  • Limits and Continuity
  1. Limit of a function
  2. Limit laws
  3. Limits at infinity, horizontal asymptotes
  4. Determining continuity
  • Derivatives
  1. Definition of the derivative
  2. The product rule and quotient rule
  3. The chain rule
  4. Derivatives of power functions, polynomials, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions
  • Applications of the Derivative
  1. Tangent lines and velocity
  2. Increasing and decreasing functions
  3. Local extrema
  4. The second derivative, concavity and points of inflection
  5. Curve sketching  
  6. Indeterminate forms and L’Hôpital’s rule
  7. Global extrema
  8. Implicit differentiation
  9. Related rates
  • Integration
  1. Definite and indefinite integrals
  2. Estimating area with finite sums 
  3. Finding exact area
  4. Sigma notation and infinite sums
  5. Fundamental theorem of calculus
  6. Integration by substitution
  7. Integration by parts
  8. Integrals of power, polynomials, trigonometric, exponential and natural logarithmic functions
Mathematics Placement Test
Date
3 September 2018
Time
5:30pm to 6:30pm
Venue
Lecture Theatre 1, Lady Shaw Building