Place Up Pathway Exam (PUP-Exam)
Students earn their initial math placement by taking the MPE. The Place-Up Pathway (PUP) Exams are administered to students placed into preparatory math courses to see if they can "place-up" one level.
Currently there are two PUP-Exams:
- Math 2-to-3B (offered Fall Week 0, and Fall, Winter, Spring Week 10)
- Math 3B-to-3C (offered only Fall Week 0)
Who needs to take the PUP-Exam?
Students with Math 2 placement are required to take the Math 2-to-3B PUP-Exam to move forward in math. Once students pass this PUP-Exam, they are placed into Math 3B and move forward to the next course by passing each course (such as Math 3B, then 3C, then 10A). PUP-Exams are not required once students are able to enroll in Math 3B or higher.
Why take the PUP-Exam and not retake the MPE?
Math 2 covers focused preparatory math topics to develop mastery and knowledge needed for success in precalculus courses (3B and 3C). Since students taking Math 2 have different knowledge bases, and they can take Math 2 multiple times to master these foundational topics that are vital for success in future math courses. For this reason, Math 2 does not have mid-terms and finals. The Math 2-to-3B PUP-Exam is similiar to a final exam in that it assesses students' mastery on focused Math 2 topics needed to promote to Math 3B.
The MPE assigns an official math placement to students by assessing a large range of foundational topics learned in secondary mathematics courses. The function of the MPE is to determine which UCSD math course best matches a students' current math preparedness. The MPE is not designed to be used like a final exam to assess mastery of topics learned from one particular course.
Where are PUP-Exams taken?
PUP-Exams are taken in person and on campus at the Triton Testing Center (TTC) located in the basement of the Applied Physics and Mathematics (AP&M) building.
PUP-Exams are online exams from the Prairie Learning application.
- Eligible students must request access from mathtesting@ucsd.edu to take PUP-Exams.
- Students must accept the invitation from Prairie Test to join a currently available PUP-Exam "class".
- Students must schedule an appointment in advance to take the exam during the current PUP-Exam window.
- Students should register as soon as possible as seats for PUP-Exams are limited.
Are there Practice Tests?
The Math 2-to-3B Practice Test is offered Weeks 6-8 each quarter. The Practice Test is taken in person at the Triton Testing Center. Students must register in advance to take the Practice Test.
Students should take the Practice Test to:
- Learn about the modality of testing on Prairie Test before taking the PUP-Exam.
- Practice on the timing of the exam. The practice exam is 45 minutes.
- Practice testing without calculators (no calculators or virtual assistance are allowed on PUP-Exams).
Are PUP-Exams and Practice Exams free?
All PUP-Exam and Practice Tests are free.
Can students retake the PUP-Exam?
Students with Math 2 placement must pass the Math 2-to-3B PUP-Exam to move forward in math, and they need to retake the exam until they pass. PUP-Exams can be taken once per quarter (except Fall Week 0 and Fall Week 10).