Mathematics Placement Test (MPT)
Notice of Changes to the Math Placement Test
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics has significantly revised the Math Placement Test (MPT). Effective Fall 2026, instructors will administer the MPT during the first lecture of each section of MATH 1000, MATH 1050, MATH 1051, MATH 1090, STAT 1500, and STAT 2500. More information can be found below.
General Information
The MPT (Math Placement Test) is a diagnostic of basic skills in mathematics. It measures competence in specific core areas of mathematics covered in grade school -- arithmetic of integers, rational numbers, and reals, algebraic expressions, trigonometry, basic geometry, and simple functions. The test is comprised of 40 questions, to be answered in 40 minutes. The test will be administered during the first lecture of the associated class, and at several times over the summer in St. John's and Corner Brook.
To maintain registration in a first MATH or STAT course, a Math Placement Test score is required if no alternate prerequisite requirement is met. Students who do not yet have an MPT score will be able to register, with the understanding that the MPT must be written by the end of the first class. The score required to meet prerequisite requirements is indicated in the Course Criteria Chart.
Calculators or other electronic devices are not permitted when taking the MPT.
Clarifications Regarding the Format of the MPT
- Students who wrote the MPT prior to June 1, 2026 will have written the old longer 2hr version of the MPT. Those students are permitted to do the new version if needed. The new version may be written only once.
- A student who passes MATH 1090 is not required to write the test again to proceed with MATH 1000.
- All students taking a first MATH or STAT course in Fall 2026 will require a new MPT score, regardless of whether you passed the old MPT. The old MPT score may be considered if an appeal is necessary to proceed with a course.
Early MPT Sessions (End of June to Early August)
Students in Newfoundland and Labrador may write the MPT prior to the start of the term to confirm their ability to remain in a particular course before classes start. This must be done at a MUN campus (St. John's or Grenfell). Registration for an Early MPT session will be open April 15 - July 15 each year, using the form linked below.
Activate your @mun.ca email before registering for the MPT. To access your memorial email, please login to my.mun.ca and click View and Manage Your MUN E-Mail. Note: You will need to create your MUN Login account before you can access your email.
New Sample MPT (No Answers Provided*)-New Shorter Version
Early MPT Dates
| DATE | SITE | TIME | ROOM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | St. John's | 11:00am | A 1046 |
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | St. John's | 2:00pm | A 1046 |
| Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | St. John's | 11:00am | A 1046 |
| Thursday, July 2, 2026 | St. John's | 2:00pm | A 1046 |
| Monday, July 6, 2026 | St. John's | 11:00am | A 1046 |
| Wednesday, July 8, 2026 | St. John's | 2:00pm | A 1046 |
| Monday, July 20, 2026 | St. John's | 11:00am | A 1046 |
| Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | St. John's | 2:00pm | A 1046 |
| Saturday, June 6, 2026 | Corner Brook | 1:00 pm | LC 301 |
| Saturday, July 18. 2026 | Corner Brook | 1:00 pm | AS2026 |
Alternate dates can be requested by contacting mpt@mun.ca.
The Math Placement Test is a diagnostic used to help place students in appropriate first year MATH or STAT courses based on demonstration of the skills and knowledge required for success. A particular score on the MPT is required to maintain registration in certain MATH and STAT courses.
The use of a calculator is neither required nor permitted on the MPT.
Bring a pencil, a back-up pencil, a good eraser, and either your MUN student ID card, or a piece of government issued photo ID. Calculators are not permitted. Scrap paper is provided.
Online students registered in MATH 1MPT-081 must present both a MUN student ID and a piece of government issued photo ID.
May 11, 2026 results will be emailed to your @mun.ca email address, from tstuckless@mun.ca.
Early MPT results may take up to two weeks to process and will be emailed to you from tstuckless@mun.ca.
Start-of-Term MPT results will appear in your course Brightspace.
The MPT score is relevant only to your MATH or STAT course registration (and courses that have a MATH or STAT course set as a co-requisite, such as PHYS or ENGI courses).
If you do not obtain the required mark for a Math & Stats course, make sure to read the information posted in your course Brightspace, and pay close attention to emails from your instructor. Depending on how close you were to the required score you may be permitted to continue. You may be advised to upgrade your high school math skills. Some suggestions are outlined here: https://www.mun.ca/math/undergraduates/first-year-courses/#upgrading.
The MPT is not a test of knowledge, but of proficiency. It's expected that you have seen all this material before, and understand how to do the exercises. The MPT evaluates the level of your fluency. We do not expect students to study a particular text to prepare for this test. Years of learning mathematics should have prepared you for this.
The Mathematics and Statistics Department does not endorse any particular resource for preparation. We provide a sample test (on this page) and from that you can identify if there are any particular weaknesses you want to work on before you take the test. The internet is a great source of practice problems.
Yes. Everyone will be permitted to register. Many students will write the MPT in the first class. The MPT must be written before the end of the first class in order to secure your seat in the class.
If you cannot add a MATH or STAT course then your record might be missing an indication of your level of high school math. You need either grade 12 academic math, or grade 12 advanced math to register for a MATH or STAT course. If you can't see your high school records on your Self-Service, and you know they have been submitted to the University, you should contact the Office of the Registrar for assistance.
An answer key is not provided. It is assumed that given enough time, any incoming student can answer all the questions on the MPT. The purpose of the MPT isn't to test knowledge, but proficiency. You need to be proficient in arithmetic, algebra, and trigonometry to keep pace with the mathematics demonstrated in your lectures.
Under usual circumstances, the MPT may be written only once. If you have upgraded your math skills by taking a course from another institution, you may contact the Program Officer to discuss the possibility of retaking the test.
We ask that you carefully select the date and time of your Early MPT as to avoid the need to change. That being said, if you need to cancel your Early MPT registration and book a different date/time, you can submit a new registration using the online form.
In 2026, the format of the MPT was shortened from 100 to 40 questions. The previous version (100 question test) is now referred to as the 'Long MPT'. The new version is now called the Math Placement Test, but may be referred to as the 'short' MPT.
Starting Fall 2026 anyone taking their first MATH or STAT course will need to do the new 40-question version of the MPT.*
*Nursing students who were accepted into their program prior to June 2026 and who achieved the required score on the old version of the MPT for entry to STAT 2500 will not be required to do the new test.