•HOW DO I TAKE THE ASSESSMENT?
Assessment is conducted on a walk-in basis, first
come, first served. Please note that during heavy
testing periods there will be an extensive wait.
Plan accordingly! You may contact the
Assessment Center at (310) 434-8040 for
testing hours.
• HOW LONG WILL THE ASSESSMENT TAKE?
Because the tests are adaptive to your skills, the
Math test may take up to one hour to complete.
• COMPUTERIZED TESTING
We currently offer computerized English,
ESL, and Math tests. However, under some
circumstances you may be asked to take a paper-
and-pencil test instead. For computer delivered
tests, you will use either the keyboard or the
mouse to enter your answers and supply other
information. A Test Proctor will always be
present should you have any questions or
problems.
• ADAPTIVE TESTING
Each test is adaptive. This means that the
computer automatically determines which
questions are presented to you based on your
responses to prior questions. This technique
selects just the right questions to ask without
being too easy or too difficult. Each test is
untimed so that you can give each question as
much thought as you wish. However, once you
have selected and confirmed your answer, you
cannot return to that question.
•ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS
Each test consists of 12 to 15 questions.
The questions appear one at a time on the
computer screen. Most questions are multiple
choice, and all you will need to do is use the
“Enter” key or mouse to select an answer.
For latest testing hours
please go to:
www.smc.edu/assessment
or call
310-434-8040
Dates and times subject to change.
We are closed on all major holidays.
Santa Monica College
Assessment Center
Information: 310-434-8040
www.smc.edu/assessment
When you have completed the question and
confirmed your answer, a new screen will
appear with your next question.
• WHEN AND WHERE CAN I GET MY
RESULTS?
Assessment results are usually available as soon
as you complete your test. You may also be
directed to return at a later time if technical
difficulties are experienced, in which case you
may pick them up at the Assessment Center
(LA-109). Please note that your scores may not
be input into our computer system for up to 48
hours. Be sure to have your copy when you
meet with a counselor.
• ABOUT THE MATH TEST
The Math test consists of five sub-tests:
Numerical Skills/Pre-Algebra, Algebra, College
Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Every
student starts with the Algebra subtest and
depending on the accuracy of their answers
they may proceed to a higher level or branched
down to a lower level. Once you have answered
a sufficient number of questions successfully,
you will obtain a placement recommenda-tion.
(Note that under some circumstances you may
be given a paper-and-pencil test instead of the
computerized test). Access to calculators will be
granted, however, you may not bring your own.
General Assessment Information
Assessment Center
Santa Monica College
1900 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: 310-434-8040
Fax: 310-434-8019
http://www.smc.edu/assessment
Testing Requirements
Testing Hours
“Taking each day one test at a time…”
Math Assessment
Test Samples
The following items are required to take the
Math Assessment test:
•A valid photo identification card, such as a driver’s
license, SMC student ID card, high school ID
card, passport, resident alien ID card, or a
military ID card.
•Your Santa Monica College six-digit student ID
number
*Ifyou are not a current SMC student,
a testing fee will be issued ($20 per test).
Numerical Skills/Pre-Algebra Test
Averages: Means, Medians, and Modes
1. What is the average (arithmetic mean) of 8, 7, 7, 5, 3, 2,
and 2?
A. 3
4
⁄
7
B. 4
5
⁄
6
C. 4
6
⁄
7
D. 5
E. 6
4
⁄
5
Basic Operations with Decimals
2. Ben is making wooden toys for the next arts and crafts
sale. Each toy costs Ben $1.80 to make. If he sells the
toys for $3.00 each, how many will he have to sell to
make a profit of exactly $36.00?
A. 12
B. 20
C. 30
D. 60
E. 108
Basic Operations with Fractions
3. How many yards of material from a 24-yard
length of cloth remain after 3 pieces, each 3
1
⁄2 yards long,
and 5 pieces, each 2
1
⁄4 yards long, are removed?
A. 2
1
⁄
4
B. 4
1
⁄
4
C. 4
5
⁄
6
D. 10
1
⁄
4
E. 10
5
⁄
6
Percentages
4. Phillip charged $400 worth of goods on his credit card.
On his first bill, he was not charged any interest, and he
made a payment of $20. He then charged another $18
worth of goods. On his second bill a month later, he was
charged 2% interest on his entire unpaid balance. How
much interest was Phillip charged on his second bill?
A. $8.76
B. $7.96
C. $7.60
D. $7.24
E. $6.63
Algebra Test
Linear Equations in One Variable
1. A student has earned scores of 87, 81, and 88 on the first
3 of 4 tests. If the student wants an average (arithmetic
mean) of exactly 87, what score must she earn on the
fourth test?
A. 85
B. 86
C. 87
D. 92
E. 93
Basic Operations with Polynomials
2. Which of the following expressions represents the
product of 3 less than twice x and 2 more than the
quantity 3 times x ?
A. -6x
2
+25x +6
B. 6x
2
+5x +6
C. 6x
2
– 5x + 6
D. 6x
2
–5x –6
E. 6x
2
–13x –6
Substituting Values into Algebraic Expression
3. If x =-1 and y =2,what is the value of the expression
2x
3
–3xy ?
A. 8
B. 4
C. -1
D. -4
E. -8
Rational Expressions
4. For all r 2, = ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
r3
r2
r3
r2
r2
r3
r2
r2
r3
r2
r
2
5r6
r
2
4
Linear Expressions in Two Variables
5. What is the equation of the line that contains the points
with (x,y) coordinates (–3,7) and (5,–1) ?
A. y =3x –2
B. y = x +10
C. y =
–
1
⁄
3
x +8
D. y =
3
⁄
2
x +
11
⁄
4
E. y =–x +4
College Algebra Test
Complex Numbers
1. For, i =
1
if 3i (2 + 5i) = x +6i, then x = ?
A. –15
B. 5
C. 5i
D. 15i
E. 27i
Functions
2. If f(4) = 0 and f(6) = 6, which of the following could
represent f(x) ?
A.
2
⁄
3
x – 4
B. x + 2
C. x – 4
D.
3
⁄
2
x + 6
E. 3x – 12
Geometry Test
Angles
1. In the figure below
AB,
CD, and
EF are parallel, and
PQ
intersects all 3 lines at points R, S, and T,respectively. If the
measure of QTF is 33°, what is the measure of PRB?
A. 33°
B. 57°
C. 66°
D. 123°
E. 147°
Triangles
2. In MPB below,
LA II
MB.If =
5
⁄
3
, then = ?
A.
5
⁄
8
B.
2
⁄
3
C.
8
⁄
5
D.
5
⁄
3
E.
8
⁄
3
PB
PA
PL
LM
Tr igonom e try Test
Trigonometric Function and Identities
1. Which of the following is equivalent to ?
A. sec
2
B. (csc
2
) – 1
C. tan
2
D. sin
2
E. –
Right-Triangle Trigonometry
2. From a point on the ground the angle of elevation to a
ledge on a building is 27°, and the distance to the base of
the building is 45 meters. How many meters high is the
ledge?
A.
B.
C. 45 sin 27°
D. 45 cos 27°
E. 45 tan 27°
45
tan 27°
45
sin 27°
1
sin
2
1 cos
2
cos
2
P
A
C
E
B
D
F
Q
R
S
T
33°
P
L
M
A
B
Math Test Samples
27°
45 meters
?
ledge
•Numerical Skills/Pre-Algebra Test
Answers: 1. C 2. C 3. A 4. B
•Algebra Test
Answers: 1. D 2. D 3. B 4. A 5. E
•College Algebra Test
Answers: 1. A 2. E
•Geometry Test
Answers: 1. E 2. C
•Trigonometry Test
Answers: 1. C 2. E
A
nswers to Test Samples
