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Mathematics & Computer Science

Math for Elementary Education 1 Pretest Objectives and Review

Math for Elementary Education Pretest Objectives

Bethel's MAT201M pretest targets just a handful of essential non-calculator skills that students are assumed to have mastered prior to enrollment in college-level course work. You may be a little rusty at a few of the skills, so you are encouraged to spend some time preparing for this pretest. Helpful information relative to these topics can be found in the MAT201M textbook (A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary Teachers - 9th Edition, by Billstein, Libeskind, and Lott), or in books reserved at the Bethel Library (Basic Mathematics, by Lawrence Trivieri; Pre-Algebra, by Alan and Carol Wise; and Essential Mathematics, by Linda Pulsinelli and Patricia Hooper). Also, teaching assistants are available in the Math Lab to assist you with your specific pretest needs.

The Pretest Objectives

Without the aid of a calculator, the student should be able to:
  1. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide reasonably simple rational numbers (integers, fractions, decimals).
  2. Identify place values and interpret meanings of digits in base-ten numerals.
  3. Round decimal numerals to requested place values.
  4. Compare and/or order decimal numerals and/or fractions.
  5. Convert fractions to decimals and terminating decimals to fractions (or mixed numbers).
  6. Simplify fractions and convert improper fractions to mixed numerals (and vice-versa).
  7. Find a percent of a number.
  8. Read a customary ruler (to nearest 1/16 inch) and a metric ruler (to nearest 0.1 cm).
  9. Simplify numerical expressions using order of operations. These may involve addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponents, roots, and parentheses.
  10. Evaluate simple functions in one variable using order of operations. These may involve addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponents, and parentheses.
  11. Solve simple equations in one variable (using axioms of arithmetic and equality).
  12. Compute areas and perimeters of common geometric shapes (triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles).

Sample Test

Practice exam for Math El Ed (save the file, then open)
Solution to practice exam for Math El Ed (save the file, then open)

Online Review

The following link contains a list of the topics that will be tested and online resources for review for each topic.


ALEKS® Course Review

If you would like to approach your review for Math for El. Ed. 1 more thoroughly, or if you know you have significant deficiencies in your background that you would like to correct, you may choose to use Bethel's ALEKS "Prep. for Math for El. Ed. 1" course. This course is online and self-paced. A 6-week access code for the course can be purchased for under $40. The course begins with a diagnostic test, and then creates a personalized plan for working through various topics that need attention. To enroll in this course please see the ALEKS enrollment instructions.

ALEKS is a registered trademark of ALEKS Corporation.


*Back to Math Pretest and Placement Exams