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Place Up Pathway Exam (PUP-Exam)

Students with Math 2 placement are on the Place-Up-Pathway (PUP) and must pass the Math 2-to-3B PUP-Exam to move forward to Math 3B. Retaking the MPE is no longer permitted.

Each quarter, the Math 2-to-3B PUP-Exam is offered Week 10, and the Practice Test is offered Weeks 6-8 (see PUP-Exam Sessions).  Students may take the PUP-Exam once per quarter (except the fall quarter in which students may take the PUP-E Week 0 and Week 10).

  • The next PUP-Exam is offered only four days during Week 10 (Dec 1-4).  Registration opens November 23, 2026. 
  • The next Practice Test is offered for two weeks during Weeks 6-8 (Nov 2-17).  Registration is now open.

To Take the PUP-Exam

  • Students currently enrolled in Math 2 are automatically loaded to the PUP-Exam platform called PrairieTest.  You can log in to PrairieTest now (see Students Enrolled in Fall Math 2)
  • All other students with Math 2 placement who are not enrolled in Math 2 this fall must REQUEST ACCESS to PrairieTest.
  • Contact mathtesting@ucsd.edu if you have questions or need help to gain access.

What to Expect:

  • PUP-Exams and the Practice Test are 45 minutes long.  They are free of charge. NO calculators are allowed.
  • The exams are administered in the Triton Testing Center located in the basement of the AP&M building.  
  • Students must reserve PUP-Exam Sessions in advance.  
  • Go to PUP-Exam Access for instructions to login to the platform and reserve testing sessions for the Practice Test and the PUP-Exam.

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).  Retaking the MPE is no longer allowed. 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).  Math 2 does not have mid-terms and finals, and students can take Math 2 as many times as needed to to master the foundational topics that are vital for success in future math courses. The Math 2-to-3B PUP-Exam is similiar to a final exam to assess such mastery on those focused Math 2 topics.  

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 at the Triton Testing Center (TTC) located in the basement of the Applied Physics and Mathematics (AP&M) building.  

PUP-Exams are proctored by TTC staff and are online exams from the Prairie Learning application.

  • Eligible students must REQUEST ACCESS 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 at the Triton Testing Center (TTC) where it is proctored by TTC staff and accessed online.  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). 
  • See PUP-EXAM Resources for released Math 2-to-3B practice tests.

Is there a cost for PUP-Exams?

PUP-Exams and Practice Tests are free.

Can students retake the PUP-Exam?

Yes! Students with Math 2 placement must pass the Math 2-to-3B PUP-Exam to move forward in math. They must retake the exam until they pass.  PUP-Exams can be taken once per quarter (see PUP-Exam Sessions).  

Performance data show pass rates on the PUP-Exam are higher for students who have taken it before.  

What if I missed my reservation?

Email tritontesting@ucsd.edu for assistance.

Rescheduling missed tests is not always guaranteed, and opportunities to do so may be unavailable due to seat availability and the testing window. We recommend that you select a test time that works for you and plan on attending, as you would with any in-class exam.