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placement test
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F O R S T U D E N T S N E W T O T H E S A X O N P R O G R A M

Saxon’s Upper Grades Placement Test To get a full picture of the student’s knowledge and
This placement guide is designed to place students in the ability, a student taking this test should complete as many
appropriate level of the Saxon secondary mathematics of the parts as possible and stop when he or she cannot
series. This placement guide should not be used as the answer any more problems. For example, even if the
sole basis for deciding what textbook a student should student believes he or she belongs in the Saxon’s
use. Ideally, the exam will be used in conjunction with Calculus textbook, he or she should begin working the
other information, including the student’s record of test from Part I. This way, the student will be able to
achievement in prior mathematics courses. pinpoint difficult areas.
Students who have not taken an algebra course will likely
To complete this test, a student will require only scratch
be able to solve only through Part I. Students who have
paper and a pencil. Calculator use is strongly
completed a first year algebra course will likely be able to
discouraged. Graph paper may be used but is not
complete through Part II. Students who have completed
required. This is a four-part test.
two years of algebra should be able to complete through
Part I determines students’ readiness for Saxon’s
Part III. Finally, students who have completed geometry
Algebra 1 textbook.
and trigonometry in addition to two years of algebra
Part II determines students’ readiness for Saxon’s should be able to complete through Part IV.
Algebra 2 textbook. Please note that in the Saxon secondary series, what is
Part III determines students’ readiness for Saxon’s traditionally covered in four years of high school
Advanced Mathematics textbook. mathematics (that is, two years of algebra, one year of
geometry, and one year of trigonometry and pre-calculus)
Part IV determines students’ readiness for Saxon’s
is covered in just three textbooks, Algebra 1, Algebra 2,
Calculus textbook.
and Advanced Mathematics. There is no separate Saxon
For Parts I–III, solving 8, 9, or 10 problems correctly textbook on geometry. The study of geometry is fully
indicates readiness for the specified textbook. Students integrated into the three books. This is a more efficient
who solve 5, 6, or 7 problems correctly may also be ready and effective way of teaching mathematics, which is why
for the specified textbook, but further assessment of the we cover the same amount of material in fewer textbooks
student’s knowledge and skills is needed. Performance in and in less time. It should be noted that the Saxon
prior mathematics courses would be a most helpful Advanced Mathematics textbook usually is completed in
indicator in this situation. Solving fewer than five three semesters; however, accelerated students can
questions correctly indicates the student is not ready for complete Advanced Mathematics in two semesters, and
the specified textbook. If a student answers fewer than students with weaker preparation may take up to four
five questions correctly in Part I, consider using Saxon’s semesters to cover the textbook.
Algebra A or Math 87.
For Part IV, solving 10, 11, or 12 problems correctly Call us at (800) 284-7019 to request copies of the
indicates readiness for Saxon’s Calculus. A student who middle grades placement tests. We can also be contacted
solves 7, 8, or 9 problems correctly may also be ready for at 2600 John Saxon Blvd., Norman, OK 73071; or by
Calculus, but only if that student has performed well in e-mail at [email protected]. If you have
Saxon’s Advanced Mathematics or some other Internet access please visit our web site at
pre-calculus course. http://www.saxonhomeschool.com.
 Part I: Readiness Test for Saxon’s Algebra 1

The purpose of this section is to determine readiness for Saxon’s Algebra 1 textbook. Answering 8 or
more problems correctly indicates readiness for Saxon’s Algebra 1 textbook.

1. Express d + S as a fraction reduced to lowest terms.

2. Find the area of a circle of radius 2. (Area = πr 2) Express your answer in terms of π.

3. Draw a number line that shows at least the integers from -3 to 3. Graph the numbers 2, 3,
and 5A.

4. Multiply. Express the product as a fraction reduced to its lowest terms.

3 4
¥
8 5

5. Express mathematically “five added to twice a number.” Use N to represent the unknown
number.

6. The ratio of boys to girls in the class was 4 to 6. If there were 8 boys in the class, how many
girls were in the class?

7. The original price of the pants was $40.00; during the Presidents’ Day Sale, the price of the
pants was reduced by 20%. What was the sale price of the pants?

8. Compute: 3 2 − 2 3 + 16

Saxon Math Homeschool 2

 9. Complete the table by converting the fraction to a decimal and a percent. An example is shown
on the left:

fraction decimal percent fraction decimal percent

A 0.50 50% d

10. Use the information in the graph below to calculate the average monthly new car sales for the
five months shown on the graph.

New Car Sales

400
Number of cars

300

200

100

0
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May
Month

Saxon Math Homeschool 3

 Part II: Readiness Test for Saxon’s Algebra 2

The purpose of this section is to determine readiness for Saxon’s Algebra 2 textbook. Answering 8 or
more problems correctly indicates readiness for Saxon’s Algebra 2 textbook.

1. Evaluate x 2y - y3 + x1/2 if x = 3 and y = 4.

2. Simplify:
−2 − 2 (1 − 5 )
−2 − 3

3. Simplify and write the answer with all variables in the numerator.

( xm −1 ) −3 x 2 m 2
( x 0 y 2 ) −2 x y

4. Solve for x:
5 5 1
3 − x  = −  − + x 
6 3   2 

5. The total value of the pennies and nickels was $14.50. Hala counted the coins and found there
were 450 coins in all. How many of each type of coin did she have?

6. Graph y = 3x + 5. Determine the slope of the line and its y-intercept.

7. (a) Find the perimeter of the figure shown on the left below. Dimensions are in meters.
(b) Find the area of the figure. (c) The figure shown is the base of a geometric solid whose
sides are perpendicular to the base and whose height is 12 meters. A depiction of the solid is
shown on the right. Find its volume. Leave π as π.

4
12

Saxon Math Homeschool 4

 8. The scores that Frank achieved on his five tests were 90, 70, 70, 85, and 95. Find the range,
mean, median, and mode of the five test scores.

9. Twice a number is decreased by 7, and this quantity is multiplied by 3. The result is 9 less than
10 times the number. What is the number?

10. Solve by factoring: x 2 - 15 = 2x

Saxon Math Homeschool 5

 Part III: Readiness Test for Saxon’s Advanced Mathematics

The purpose of this section is to determine readiness for Saxon’s Advanced Mathematics textbook.
Answering 8 or more problems correctly indicates readiness for Saxon’s Advanced Mathematics
textbook.

1. Use the quadratic formula to solve this equation: 3x 2 - 2x + 1 = 0.

2. (a) Graph the equation y = x 2 - 2x + 1. (b) Find the coordinates of the points of intersection
between y = x 2 - 2x + 1 and y = 4. (c) Shade the region determined by y > x 2 - 2x + 1
and y < 4.

3. Find all pairs (x, y) that satisfy both of the following equations simultaneously:

2x + 3y = 5
x - 2y = 8

4. Simplify:
3 2
+ 4 + 24
2 3

5. Solve for x:

x 2/3 = 4

6. Solve for x:
5 3 2
+ =
6 x + 2 3

7. Simplify:
x 3 − 16 x − 6 x 2 −50 − 5 x + x 2
¥
x 2 − 8 x − 20 x 3 − 5 x 2 − 24 x

Saxon Math Homeschool 6

 8. Find three consecutive integers such that the product of the first and the second is equal to the
product of -6 and the third.

9. How many different ways can all four of the letters A, B, C, and D be ordered if no repetition is
allowed?

10. Find the equation of the line that passes through (2, 1) and is perpendicular to 2x - 3y = 6.

Saxon Math Homeschool 7

 Part IV: Readiness Test for Saxon’s Calculus

The purpose of this section is to determine readiness for Saxon’s Calculus textbook. Answering 10 or
more problems correctly indicates readiness for Saxon’s Calculus textbook. Answering 7 to 10
questions correctly indicates possible readiness for Calculus.

1. Given f(x) = x 2, find f(x + h).

π π
2. What are the exact values of (a) sin 6
and (b) cos 6
?

3. Simplify:
1 1
x + h
− x
h

4. Graph the function

π
y = sin  x − 
 4

5. Graph the set {x Î ® : Åx - 3Å < 4} on a number line. Note that ® denotes the set of real
numbers.

6. Graph the circle whose equation is given by x 2 + y2 + 6x - 6y + 2 = 0. Indicate the

coordinates of the center of the circle and the length of the radius of the circle.

7. Solve for x: log(1 + x) + log(2 + x) = 2

8. Triangle ABC is an equilateral triangle and segment ED is parallel to segment AB as shown in

the figure below. Express x in terms of h.
10
A B

x
E D
h

Saxon Math Homeschool 8

 9. Find all pairs (x, y) that simultaneously satisfy the following two equations:

x 2 + y2 = 9

y - x = 1

Graph the two equations, and show the points of intersection of the graphs.

10. Prove the following trigonometric identity:

cos 3 ( x ) + sin 3 ( x )
= 1 − sin ( x ) cos( x )
cos( x ) + sin ( x )

11. Write an algebraic equation that expresses the following statement: the sum of the distance
between point (x, y) and point (1, 2) and the distance between point (x, y) and point (3, 4) is
equal to 10.

12. Given: XáZá @ YáZá, XáVá ë YáZá, YáUá ë XáZá. Write a two-column proof to show that XáVá @ YáUá.
Z

U V

X Y

Saxon Math Homeschool 9

 Homeschool Placement Test Answers
PART I 7. (a) Perimeter = (16 + 4π) meters;
5 (b) Area = (24 + 8π) meters2 ;
1. 1 24 (c) Volume = (288 + 96π) meters3
2. Area = 4π units2
8. range = 25; mean = 82; median = 85;
3. 5A mode = 70
–3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
9. N = -3
3
4.
10 10. x = -3, 5

5. 2N + 5
PART III
6. 12 girls 1 2
1. ± i
3 3
7. $32.00

8. 5 2. y

9. [from left to right] 0.375, 37.5% 3

2
1
10. 150 new cars per month x; (-1, 4), (3, 4)
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
–1
–2
–3
PART II –4
–5

1. -28 + Õ£
34 −11 
2. −
6 3.  ,
 7 7 
5

3. m5 x- 2 y3 23 6
4.
6
1
4. x =
2 5. x = 8

5. 200 pennies, 250 nickels 6. x = -20

6. y
x + 5
7.
x + 3
6
5

3
y = 3x + 5
8. - 4, - 3, - 2 or - 3, - 2, - 1
2
1
x;
–5 –4 –3 –1 1 2 3 4 5
–1
–2
–3 9. 24 ways
–4
–5
–6
−3
10. y = x + 4
slope = 3; y-intercept = 5 2

Saxon Math Homeschool 10

PART IV cos 3 x + sin 3 x
10.
1. x 2 + 2xh + h2 cos x + sin x

( cos x + sin x )( cos 2 x − cos x sin x + sin 2 x )

1 3 =
2. ; cos x + sin x
2 2
= cos 2 x − cos x sin x + sin 2 x
−1
3. = 1 - sin x cos x
x( x + h)

4. y 11. ( x − 1) 2 + ( y − 2 ) 2
+ x

1 + ( x − 3) 2 + ( y − 4 ) 2 = 10
–3π π 5π 9π
4 –1 4 4 4
12.
STATEMENTS REASONS
5. –1 3 7
1. XáZá @ YáàZá 1. Given

2. ∆XYZ is isosceles 2. Definition of isosceles

6. radius = 4; center = (-3, 3); triangle

y 3. ¿ZXY @ ¿ZYX 3. Base angles of an isosceles

triangle are congruent.
7
4. ¿XUY is a right angle; 4. Given
5 ¿YVX is a right angle
4 4

(-3, 3)
3
5. ¿XUY @ ¿YVX 5. Right angles are congruent.
2
1
x 6. ¿UYX @ ¿VXY 6. AA Ì AAA
–7 –3 –1 1 2 3
–2 7. XáYá @ XáYá 7. Reflexive axiom
–3
8. ∆XUY @ ∆YVX 8. AAAS congruency postulate

9. XáVá @ YáàUá 9. CPCTC

−3 401
7. x = +
2 2

2 3
8. x = h
3

9. y

2
1
x;
–1 1 2
–2

 −1 17 1 17 
 + , + ,
 2 2 2 2 

 −1 17 −1 17 
 − , − 
 2 2 2 2 
Placement Test Answers

Saxon Math Homeschool 11

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