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Math Placement Exam

The Math Placement Exam (MPE) is used to determine a student's proper placement for enrollment to UC San Diego 's Math Pathways.

Students who do not meet a prerequisite for enrollment must take the MPE prior to course registration. See Do I Need The MPE? to determine if you need to take the MPE.

The Math Testing and Placement Office recommends for students to take the MPE as early as possible and to allow time to review the suggested topics:

MPE Topics

  • Exponents and Radicals
  • Functions and their Graphs
  • Geometry & Geometric Applications
  • Linear Equations and Inequalities, Absolute Values, and their Graphs
  • Logarithmic and Exponential Functions and their Graphs
  • Polynomials and Polynomial Equations and their Graphs
  • Rational Expressions and their Graphs
  • Trigonometry

Items Needed for Testing

The following items are needed or permitted for testing:

  • Your UCSD PID number.  Your results cannot be posted if you do not use your PID number.
  • A current photo ID.  Accepted IDs include: UC San Diego ID card, State ID or Passport, or High School ID (for first-year students)
  • Pencil or pen for calculations
  • Two sheets of blank scratch paper (for remote testing only)
  • Calculators are not allowed on the MPE. 

Recommended Review

The following are suggestions from the Mathematics Department for self-review prior to taking the MPE.

  1. Take the MDTP practice tests.
    1. Take the tests as if you were taking a proctored test: with a timer for 60 minutes and with no notes. 
    2. Review your results carefully and complete your recommended lessons from the topics found in the MDTP Learning Modules.
    3. Take the practice test(s) again (timed and with no notes) after completing recommended lessons to identify areas where additional study is required.
  2. Complete free math courses on Khan Academy. Depending on your areas for additional study, helpful courses include: Algebra 1, High School Geometry, Algebra 2, College Algebra, Precalculus, and Trigonometry.

MPE-Retake Policy

Through April 30, students may retake the MPE after 30 days have elapsed (which is strictly enforced). However, students should enroll in the course that they are placed into (or have advanced to) without delay and not engage in MPE retakes.

Starting May 1, 2026, MPE retakes will NOT be allowed as per the revised MPE-retake policy, and students must enroll in the course that they are placed into.  Advancement will occur by completing successive courses in the established Math Pathway determined by their major and/or college. 

MPE results are valid for one year.  Students who do not enroll in their placed course must retake the MPE if they have not yet enrolled in math and their results have expired to earn a new math placement. 

Students with Math 2 placement are on the Place-Up Pathway (PUP) and need take (and pass) the Math 2-to-3B Place-up Exam (PUP-E) to move forward in Math. Retaking the MPE is not allowed. See PUP-Exam for more information.

Testing with Accommodations

Students with a disability must submit a signed and current Authorization for Accommodation (AFA) to receive  accommodations when taking the MPE.  MPE tests with accommodations are proctored on campus by the Math Testing and Placement office.