The Office of Undergraduate Education has developed a remote math placement process called the Math Directed Self Placement (DSP).

The Math DSP is an online questionnaire designed to help students determine which math course is the best starting point for their success at the University of Washington Tacoma.

The process takes about 30 minutes and can be completed online from home. Students will be asked:

  • A series of questions to reflect on their previous math experience, and

  • A set of math problems to solve.

Based on their responses and performance, students will receive an initial course recommendation that aligns with their current skill level and readiness.

The main goal of the Math DSP is to ensure each student begins in a math course where they can build confidence, succeed academically, and progress effectively toward their degree requirements.

 

UW Tacoma Math Pathways
Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Math Directed Self-Placement free?
Yes, the Math DSP is free.

How long does the process take?
The placement typically takes 30–60 minutes to complete.

Is the Math Directed Self-Placement the only method used at this point?
Yes, the Math DSP is currently the only placement method we use. However, we do accept Accuplacer score reports from other colleges or universities if you have them.

What do I do after I submit my Math DSP?
Please allow 1–2 business days for our office to review your submission and enter your scores into the system.

When is the Math Placement Test is Needed

**All incoming students are highly encouraged to take the Math Placement Test, even if you do not currently plan on a major with math related prerequisites. Research shows it is quite common for students to change their major at least once in their college career. College is an exciting time of academic and personal exploration and it can be hard to tell how our interests may change over the next couple years of study. Having a Math Placement Test on file will prepare you for that possibility and by doing so early, you ensure that your math skills are at their freshest. Being successful involves being prepared.  Be ready for the possibility of change and don’t let a missing Math Placement Test score hold you back from declaring the major that’s best for you. 


You will need to take the math placement test if you have not yet completed the prerequisites for these courses at the college level:
• Intermediate Algebra (eg. TMATH 098).
• Statistics course (eg. TMATH 110 or THLTH 320).
• Precalculus (eg. TMATH 115, TMATH 116 & TMATH 120) or any further courses in the Calculus series.
Other college courses with college level math prerequisites.

You are exempt from taking the math placement exam if you:
• Have already earned college credit (2.0 GPA or higher) in Intermediate Algebra, Precalculus or Calculus.
• Received a Calculus AP score of 2 or higher in either Calculus AB or BC (must have a subscore of 3, 4, or 5 on BC test).
• Earned a IB Mathematics score of 4 or higher.

If you are uncertain about whether you need to take a placement test, please contact your Academic Advisor at the University Academic Advising for more information. For prerequisites and registration restrictions, consult the UW Tacoma Mathematics course description page

Math courses