molecularbio

Hi all,

My cousin will be entering UCSD as a freshman and she needs to take the MPE. She will be a Comp Sci major and she needs to be placed into math 20a.

I've been helping her in every aspect that I could, since I am a transfer. But the problem is I have no experience taking the MPE.

I've tried asking my friends about the difficulty of the exam. Most of them have said that it was a "piece of cake" or "nothing to worry about." But their advice aren't as applicable since they were placed into math 10a. She has looked at the calc readiness test on the testing website. My friends have said that the readiness test is harder than the actual test. They have also studied off that test numerous times. But again my cousin is still wondering how she can be placed into math 20a.

I just don't know what to say or how she can prepare to be placed into math 20a. Are there any problems or really any advice that can give her the edge in getting into math 20a?

Oh and I believe she did calculus in high school but didn't take AP.

Thanks for reading! Any help or advice is appreciated!

DistressStudent

If I recall correctly, there were no calculus concepts on the test so just review her trig if her math is a bit dull. Just take the practice test on they offer on their website; if she understands all the concept then it should be a breeze. But still, if you took calculus in high school and did good enough to get into ucsd then she shouldn't have any problem with placement test. My advice though is that if she did manage to do poorly on it and wasn't place in math20A, then it is probably better to not take math20A yet because the exams could prove to be quite difficult.


Personally speaking, the MPE was by far the easiest math test I have taken since 6th grade.

astrina

Taking the 20 series instead of the 10 series is determined by your major, not by the outcome of your math placement score. If your cousin scores well enough for 10A, she can go ahead and enroll in 20A without any problem if that's the one required for her major.

molecularbio

Thanks for the replies. They both were great advice. Also I had no idea that even though she places into the 10A series she can still qualify for the 20A series! That removed so much stress away. Shes currently reviewing her old exams and I'll definitely mention to go over trig a bit more. Thanks again!!

DistressStudent

Is it really not determined by the outcome of your score? Cause the website makes it sound like it matters. And also, you need a higher score on the SATII to be exempt from taking the MPE for math20A than math10a; so I am thinking they would make the distinction for the MPE too?
"If you would like to enroll in Math 10A or Math 20A, we strongly encourage you to take the online MDTP Calculus Readiness (CR) test to determine your readiness for either course. The CR online test is NOT a placement test, but rather an advisory test that informs you if you are prepared for a calculus course or if you need to review specific math topics before taking such a course. If you achieve a sufficiently high score on the CR online test (24 for Math 10A, 30 for Math 20A), then you should be able to achieve a qualifying score for Math 10A or Math 20A when you take the MPE. You are strongly encouraged to take an early administration of the MPE to secure your placement into Math 10A or Math 20A. Click the Test Dates link on the left for a list of scheduled dates and sites. "


edit: actually after a little digging I think astrina might be right. haven't seen a person who was accepted into math10a but not 20a. the only cases are not being accepted into 10 or 20 but just 3 and 4