Simpson College requires all students to demostrate a certain level of quantitative literacy.  Some students will do this by having a Math ACT of 22 or higher.  Other students will need to take a placement exam or a quantitative reasoning or mathematics course to satisfy this requirement.  Details of the QLC from the catalog (scroll to the bottom of the page at this link to see the QLC information).

            To satisfy the QLC without taking a class:  Since you probably took your ACTs during your junior year and have learned some quantitative reasoning skills since then, by taking an exam and passing it, you can pass the QLC without having to take a class.

            To satisfy prerequisites without taking a class:  If you need to take Calculus for your major and your Math ACT is 23 or below, then you need College Algebra as the prerequisite to Calculus.  However, if you took a pre-calculus or other algebra course as a senior after you took the ACTs, you might be able to pass the College Algebra Exam and go right into Calculus.

            If a student has a Math ACT of 21 or below, there are 2 different exams that students can take to satisfy the QLC.  Each exam has 30 multiple choice questions.

Math 105T Quantitative Reasoning equivalency exam

• Covers logic, problem solving, means, medians, modes, standard deviation, lines, exponential growth, percentage rates, etc.
• If you pass Math 105T, you will have satisfied the QLC.
• If you pass Math 105T, you will be prepared to take Statistics and Math for Elementary School Teachers.
• Passing Math 105T will not prepare you for Calculus or Discrete Mathematics.

Math 130T College Algebra equivalency exam

• Covers lines, parabolas, solving equations, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, factoring, quadratic equations, systems of equations, etc.
• If you pass Math 130T, you will have satisfied the QLC.
• If you pass Math 130T, you will be prepared to take Statistics, Math for Elementary School Teachers, Discrete Mathematics and Calculus.

            That depends on what mathematics courses you took as a senior in high school, how you feel about mathematics and what mathematics courses you will need to take in your major.

·        I didn’t take math my senior year.  Then we suggest you take Math 105T.  A lot of the problems are what you might consider “common sense” questions, and so you have a good chance of passing it even if you didn’t take a math class last year.

·        My Math ACT is pretty low.  Then we suggest you take Math 105T.  Chances are you would know the material on the Math 105T test better than the specific algebraic things that are on the Math130T exam.

·        I took a pre-calculus course or an algebra course my senior year.  Then you should consider taking the Math 130T, but you could always take both of the tests to get you a good idea of what math you know now.

·        I have to take a Calculus course as part of my major.  Then you should consider taking the Math 130T, but you could always take both of the tests to get you a good idea of what math you know now.  If you don’t pass the Math 130T test, and your math ACT is 23 or below, you will have to pass College Algebra before you take Calculus.

Which majors require statistics or calculus?

Statistics is required for a degree in ...

• Computer Science
• Computer Information Systems
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Economics
• Management
• International Management
• Marketing
• Accounting
• Elementary Education with an endorsement in Mathematics

and Statistics is recommended for Biology if you plan to go to professional or graduate school and an option for Environmental Science.

Calculus is required for a degree in ...

• Computer Science
• Computer Information Systems
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Physics
• Economics
• Biochemistry
• Forensic Science
• Elementary Education with an endorsement in Mathematics
• Mathematics

QLC Practice Exams

• Math 105T Quantitative Reasoning Practice Exam
• Math 105T Quantitative Reasoning Answer Key
• Math 130T College Algebra Practice Exam 1
• Math 130T College Algebra Practice Exam 2
• Math 130T College Algebra Practice Answer Keys