Contact Information

Questions, concerns, or suggestions regarding the Mathematics Learning Centre can be confidentially addressed to:

Neil Marshall, Mathematics Development Programs Coordinator
Phone: (905) 688 – 5550 x 3138
Email: nmarshall@brocku.ca
Office: MC J 429
If you wish to submit feedback anonymously, please click here.

Additional Resources

Students who may be interested in hiring a private tutor can contact Alan Liu (mathstats@brocku.ca), in the Department of Mathematics main office (MC J 415), for a list of potential tutors.  It is highly recommended that students seeking a private tutor first speak to their course instructor, and/or the Department of Mathematics main office, before contacting outside sources.

A-Z Learning Services, through the Student Development Centre, also provides drop-in math help, which focusses on learning strategies and problem-solving techniques.  Students can visit their website for the drop-in help schedule, as well as a list of informative workshops.

Introduction to the Mathematics Skills Test

The Department of Mathematics & Statistics offers three first-year calculus courses: MATH 1P01 (Calculus Concepts I), MATH 1P05 (Applied Calculus I) and MATH 1P97 (Calculus with Applications).  A full description of each course is available in the Academic Calendar.  If you are required to take a calculus course, it is important that you check your program requirements to determine which courses you are eligible to take.  If you are eligible for more than one calculus course, please consult your academic advisor to determine which course is most appropriate for you.

The Mathematics Skills Test (MST) is mandatory for all students registered for MATH 1P01 or MATH 1P05.  In order to receive a credit for these courses, you must successfully complete the MST.

Please note that this page will be updated with further details on the August 2023 Mathematics Skills Test by mid-July of 2023.

For students in Math 1P01 and Math 1P05 Fall 2023, the Mathematics Skills Test Fall 2023 will take place on campus the week of August 14-18th. There will be two writing times each day: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Students will be contacted the week of Wednesday, July 12th 2023 with further details, including a link to register for a test writing time. Students who register for Math 1P05 Winter 2024 will be contacted during the December exam period regarding the testing period for January 2024.

Mathematics Skills Test Objectives

The purpose of the MST is to:

• allow both the Department of Mathematics & Statistics and the student to assess whether he/she has the required mathematical foundation to be successful in a first-year calculus course;
• assist both the Department of Mathematics & Statistics and the student in determining which sequence of mathematics courses will be the most beneficial to the student’s learning and success; and to
• provide students with insight into the level of mathematics proficiency expected for first-year calculus courses.

Content of the Mathematics Skills Test

The test consists of twenty questions, covering essential pre-calculus material from high school level mathematics.  The test areas and associated topics are:

• Algebra (equations of lines, factoring, simplifying expressions, solving equations and inequalities, absolute value and long division of polynomials)
• Functions and Modeling (domains, compositions, transformations, symmetry, inverses, roots, parabolas, and modeling)
• Transcendental Functions (exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions)

Preparing for the Mathematics Skills Test

The MST is conducted using an online testing environment called Möbius. Once you have registered for either MATH 1P01 or MATH 1P05, you must activate your Möbius account. Please note it may take over 24 hours after you have been added to the course for you to be able to access the course Sakai or Brightspace page which allows access to the system. To activate your Möbius account if you have not already done so, click on the following link. You will sign in to Sakai with your Brock login and password. Please note: Sakai should automatically log you into Möbius. If you are prompted to log into Möbius, please see the steps outlined in our Help with Technical Issues with Möbius document.

Math 1P01 and Math 1P05 Fall 2023: Activation Link (requires brock campus login and password)

Note: You may need to click on the Open Link button in Brightspace after clicking the activation link

After your account is activated, you must first complete a Readiness Test that will provide you with an orientation to the system. It is important to read the Mathematics Skills Test Instruction Booklet prior to taking this test. This booklet contains detailed information on how to use the Maple T.A. system and a Möbius Notation Guide and Examples of Complicated Möbius Syntax.  Students will receive this booklet by email. It is also available on this webpage.

The Readiness Test should take approximately 20 minutes.  Once it is complete, you will have access to a Practice Skills Test which is similar to the Mathematics Skills Test that you will take on campus. The practice test is randomly generated each time it is taken so you are strongly encouraged to carefully review each practice test attempt and then carefully go through the review materials to help prepare for the MST. Students are strongly encouraged to take the practice test under the same conditions as the in-person test: No calculators or other aids other than scrap paper.

Registering for a Mathematics Skills Test Writing Time

There are ten possible writing times for the Mathematics Skills Test.

• Monday, August 14th: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Monday, August 14th: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Tuesday, August 15th: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Tuesday, August 15th: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Wednesday, August 16th: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Wednesday, August 16th: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Thursday, August 17th, 2023: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Thursday, August 17th, 2023: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Friday, August 18th, 2023: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Friday, August 18th, 2023: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Instructions on how to book a testing time will be available by mid-July 2023

Taking the Mathematics Skills Test

Students registered in Math 1P05 Winter 2023 must activate their account, register for a test writing time and then successfully complete the Mathematics Skills Test with a grade of 14 or higher (70%). If a student does not successfully complete the test in their first attempt, they can write the skills test once more at an alternate writing time before January 20th.

Important Note: Students must verify that they can login to the system prior to making attempt at the test. Students should arrive 15 minutes before the test starts and bring their student ID as well as a pencil and an eraser. We will provide scrap paper and the syntax guide. No other aids, including calculators, are permitted. Refer to Preparing for the Mathematics Skills Test above.

Completing the Mathematics Skills Tests

You will have two hours to complete the Mathematics Skills Test.  You must achieve a grade of at least 70% on the Mathematics Skills Test in order to remain in Math 1P01 or 1P05. If you fail to achieve 70% on your first attempt, students will be able to register for a second attempt the week of August 28th-September 1st. There will also be three online and two in-person workshops the week of August 21st – 25th. Students will be emailed the week of August 14th-18th with further information on the workshops including instructions on how to register. Students will also be emailed the week of Augsut 21st – 25th with further information on the second attempt and registration information. This website will also be updated.  We strongly recommend in the event of a failed first attempt for students to carefully go through the test, and consult the review resources. Additional attempts will NOT be given except in special circumstances.

There are six possible writing times for the second attempt:

• Tuesday, August 29th: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Tuesday, August 29th: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Wednesday, August 30th: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Wednesday, August 30th: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Thursday, August 31st, 2023: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Thursday, August 31st, 2023: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Failing to Complete the Mathematics Skills Tests

Successful completion of the MST is required. Students who are unable to pass the Mathematics Skills Test will not be permitted to remain in Math 1P01 or Math 1P05 and will be strongly encouraged to take Math 1P20: Introduction to Mathematics instead. This is to help prepare students for Math 1P01/1P05, which traditionally are difficult courses for students. We intend to create a path for success: Math 1P05 will be offered in Winter 2023, and Math 1P06 in the Spring term, so a path forward will still be available. Students who fail the test who do not remove themselves from Math 1P01 or Math 1P05 will be deregistered from the course after Tuesday, September 19th 2023.

Exemptions for the Skills Test

Students who successfully completed the Mathematics Skills Test at a previous offering do not need to rewrite the test. However they must contact Neil Marshall to confirm their exemption status.  Students with a grade of 80% or higher in Math 1P20 must also contact Neil Marshall to confirm their exemption status. Absolutely no student is exempt from the MST unless he/she has received explicit permission from Neil Marshall.

Resources for the Mathematics Skills Tests

• Mathematics Skills Test Instruction Booklet
  
• Mathematics Skills Test Quick Start Guide 
• Help with Technical Issues with Möbius
• FAQ for the Mathematics Skills Test
• Links to Review Materials
• Reviewing your Practice Test(s)
• Entering Answers into Möbius and Previewing your Answers Guide
• Möbius Syntax Guide
• Examples of Complicated Möbius Syntax
• Möbius Units Guide

Contact

Neil Marshall
Mathematics Development Programs Coordinator
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
nmarshall@brocku.ca
905-688-5550, ext. 3138

MATH 1P01/1P02 and 1P05/1P06: Workshops

The Math Learning Centre organizes workshops for students registered in MATH 1P01/1P02 or MATH 1P05/1P06. The workshops are offered if possible and at the request of the course instructor near midterms and before final exams during the fall and winter terms. Workshops targeting specific topics either in prerequisite or course materials are also sometimes offered.

Questions can be directed to Neil Marshall (nmarshall@brocku.ca or 905 688 5550 x3138).

The policies and procedures are intended for both visiting students and Learning Centre Teaching Assistants. These guidelines aim to clarify the role and responsibility of every person who uses the Mathematics Learning Centre.

The role of the student:

Before you arrive at the Mathematics Learning Centre, there are a number of steps you can take to make your visit as successful as possible.

• Check the Learning Centre schedule to determine when your course TA will be available, or when general first-year course help is offered.
• Come to the Learning Centre with your books, lecture notes, and a list of questions. If you are working on an assignment, bring the question page with you.
• Attempt to solve your question first. Plan to show the TA your work, and explain what you did and why.
• Prepare a list of questions, or specific examples, with which you are struggling. Identify which steps (or topics) you understand, and which ones need further explanation.

During your time in the Learning Centre, it is your responsibility to ask questions of the TA, and to continue to put independent thought into your work.

The role of the Teaching Assistant:

Teaching assistants are in the Learning Centre to provide students with additional course support. While in the Learning Centre, students can expect that the TAs will:

• assist in understanding course concepts by working through examples, practice problems, and other course materials, to the best of their ability.
• provide additional guidance and clarification, but not solve or provide answers to questions, on course assignments.
• promote an open and welcoming learning environment.

It is the responsibility of all users of the Mathematics Learning Centre to adhere to Brock University’s Academic Integrity Policy, Student Code of Conduct, and Human Rights and Equity Policies.