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New Mexico State University
College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Mathematical Sciences

Arithmetic Skills Exam

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In order to ensure that students enrolled in Math 111 have the appropriate arithmetic computation skills, they will all be given an assessment at the beginning of each semester in which they are enrolled for the course. If your instructor has required you to take the Arithmetic Skills Exam (ASE), you will find information on this test below. It assesses your ability to complete problems in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, common fractions, decimals, and integers. It also assesses your ability to work with percents in terms of converting between representations of fractional quantities and solving basic percent problems.

A pass rate of 80% is required. This is a twenty-question test so this would mean you must show mastery of the appropriate procedures by correctly solving sixteen questions. You will need to complete this test at the required mastery level by the last day to make course additions for the semester in which you are enrolled, or have an extension approved by your instructor.

Taking the ASE

  1. The ASE is taken in the Mathematics Testing Center located in Walden Hall 102.
  2. A maximum of three attempts on the ASE are allowed in order for you to earn a passing score of 80%. The ASE may be taken only once per day!
  3. No partial credit is given on any ASE question. You must correctly complete 16 out of 20 questions to achieve an 80%.
  4. To take an ASE exam, you must have a signed test ticket. You will also be required to show a picture I.D. every time you go to the Testing Center.
  5. You may NOT use a calculator on the ASE exam.
  6. Show all your work and write your final answer clearly and completely. The use of a pencil, rather than a pen, is recommended.
  7. All exams are collected at the scheduled closing time.  No exams will be given out during the last hour before closing.  Exams are not timed, so you may take as much time as you need. Time spent checking your work will be time well spent.
  8. Exams will be available for review from your instructor at class time or in the Mathematics Success Center through Test Review. Grades will be posted on WebCT by the end of each day.
  9. You must review your graded exam before you may receive another test ticket to retake the exam.  Please ask the Instructor on Duty in the Mathematics Tutoring Center or at the Test Review window in Walden Hall 101 for your exam in order to review it outside of class.  You may obtain a retake ticket from your instructor or from Test Review.  The ASE may NOT be taken more than once per day.
  10. If you have questions about the grading of the ASE, you will need to speak to your instructor.
  11. ASE exams remain the property of the mathematics department.

Testing Center Information
Testing Center Hours Spring/Fall
Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

  • Seating is on a “first come, first served” basis. Immediate seating cannot be guaranteed, and some waiting in line may be necessary.
  • Left-handed desks are available in the two outside rows in the Testing Center.
  • Handicapped students who require special facilities should see the Instructor on Duty in the Mathematics Success Center in WH 101.
  • Remember – no exams will be given out during the last hour before closing and all exams will be picked up at closing time.
  • Cell phones and pagers must be turned off before entering the Testing Center.  If you answer a cell phone or pager during your test, your test will be considered completed.

Lockers

  1. Books, notebooks, backpacks, personal stereos, etc., are not permitted inside the Testing Center.  Metal lockers are available outside the Testing Center door.
  2. You must provide your own lock for these lockers.
  3. The Math Success Center is NOT responsible for lost or stolen items.
  4. Locks left on a locker after the Testing Center has closed for the day will be cut off the locker. The contents of the locker will be turned in to the Supervisor in WH 101. If not claimed within a few days, items will be sent to the Corbett Center Lost and Found.

 

If you have questions about Testing Center procedures,please see the Instructor on Duty in the Math Success Center in WH 101.