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Mathematics Placement Test Information

students working in math class

All incoming first-year students will take two math placement tests. First, everyone will take the Bridgewater Elementary Algebra Readiness (BEAR) exam. The BEAR exam is broken up into two sections, Part I & II which consist of Elementary Algebra and Advanced Algebra respectively. All students will take Part I. To advance to Part II, students must score an 8 or higher. All students are required to take the BEAR Exam as part of their academic requirement. 

Each test is multiple choice and computer-based; questions are untimed so that you can give each question as much thought as you wish.

In order to help you to prepare for your math placement test, the Academic Achievement Center and Department of Mathematics recommends navigating to Math Placement Testing Study Materials  (BSU login credentials required) which will provide you with comprehensive study materials for the BEAR Exam. This review is not mandatory; our goal is to help every student be as prepared as possible to succeed not just in placement testing, but in their college-level mathematics coursework. We recommend that all students review these skills prior to testing, especially if you have not taken a math course within the past year.

The BEAR Exam consists of two parts. Part I consists of 12 Elementary Algebra questions. Students who score an 8 or higher on Part I will be prompted to move on to Part II of the exam which is composed of an additional 25 Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry questions. The BEAR Exam is available to be taken both in person and online.

Schedule your ONLINE Bear Exam Today

Schedule your IN PERSON Bear Exam Today

During your time as a BSU student, you may take the math placement test a total of three times. Should you want to schedule a retest, please give us a call at (508) 531-1780 or email us at testing@bridgew.edu.

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), students who wish to transfer their placement test results to another institution, or obtain a copy of their placement test score report(s), must fill out and submit an official placement test score transcript request form.

Click here for the placement test score transcript request form. +