This was also a very labor intensive process, taking away precious time which could otherwise be spent orienting students to their new environment. The resources required to administer the placement exams were immense - professors were needed to create and facilitate the exam; resources were required to organize thousands of Scantron cards, feed them into the computer and grade them; additional staff was needed to set up and clean up after the exams.

 

Wendiann Sethi, Director of the Department of Developmental Math knew there had to be a better way. She needed a reliable system that is easy for students to access off-campus, and flexible enough to accommodate different courses across various student levels. When she heard about the Maplesoft-MAA Placement Test Suite, she knew instantly that this was an excellent solution.

 

The Maplesoft-MAA Placement Test Suite helps institutions place their students in the right courses quickly, easily, and at a fraction of the cost normally associated with traditional placement methods. This test suite automates the entire process, including assessment through to diagnostics, enabling the placement test to be taken anytime and anywhere. This online solution provides easy administration, instant results, and flexible scheduling.

 

The content, developed by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), is extensive, rich, and accurate. Maplesoft, a leading provider of high-performance software tools for engineering, science, and mathematics, provides the ideal technology required to deliver this content online. This combination resulted in a powerful product used by various universities and academic institutions across North America. The placement tests give a reliable assessment of student knowledge based on the results of a short test. They assess simple computation skills in unexpected contexts and balance manipulation skills with others that measure a broader spectrum of mathematical concepts, providing a more accurate assessment than the current system of single measurement.

 

“Reliability and accuracy were our key concerns when considering an effective solution. We found both these attributes in the Maplesoft-MAA Placement Test Solution,” said Sethi. “An automated online system means that our students can take their tests anywhere and we have the results ready when they come in for orientation. This saves us valuable time that the staff can put into individual orientation for students. Suffice to say, it made us more efficient and the students are ready to start, right from the first day of class.”

 

The vast variety of question types and the scalability potential of the system make it an extremely attractive solution for Sethi and her team. Compatibility with other programs is also a critical factor. The ability of the Placement Test Suite to fit into course management programs such as Blackboard makes it easier to integrate into the university’s system.

 

With the built-in gradebook, results are quick and easy to generate. The staff is able to set test policies to determine how the students see their results. The question bank editor in the Placement Test Suite helps the staff to customize questions or create entirely new questions using formats such as Maple graded and Open ended. This flexibility enables the university to provide tests that are suited to their exclusive requirements.

 

The students also stand to gain from using this system. Because of the system’s online nature, students can take the tests in the convenience of their homes. Since the tests are taken before school begins, they can receive feedback during orientation, which prepares them in advance for the courses they are placed in.

 

By implementing the Math Placement Tests using Maple T. A., Sethi and her team are able to serve the incoming students better. Orientation now is about preparing students for classes and becoming part of the Seton Hall University campus life, instead of grueling placement tests.

 

“I must say that our placement process has been completely transformed,” said Sethi. “Now administering the placement tests is totally stress-free and hardly involves any staff time. Better orientation means the subsequent teaching becomes more effective. We are able to better manage our orientation activities and spend more quality time with students at this critical time of the academic year.”