Fundamental Concepts Exam

Your success in core mathematics curriculum begins here!

Cadets enter the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) with different math backgrounds. To successfully begin work in their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses, incoming cadets must arrive with the knowledge of certain mathematical skills and concepts. The Fundamental Concepts Exam (FCE) is designed to test those skills. All cadets are required to pass the test and demonstrate mastery of its topics before moving on to higher math courses.

• Required Math Skills for Entering Cadets: This is a detailed list of all skills incoming cadets are required to know before entering the academy. These are the concepts tested on the FCE.

• Useful Formulas: These are formulas that will help with your fundamental skills.

   

Sample Fundamental Concepts Exams

Review Sheets

• Trig Review
  • Trig Review Solutions
• Function Review
  • Function Review Solutions
• Radicals and Exponents Review
  • Radicals and Exponents Review Solutions

Web Resources

• Critical Math Skills: Document listing eight critical skills with a description and links to several corresponding videos for each skill.
• Khan Academy: This site has many "how-to" videos. Search for topics in algebra, trigonometry, and pre-calculus.
• Purplemath: This is an excellent site. See the links for algebra topics.
• Hyper-Ad Technical Tutoring: This site has links for help with trigonometry, but you can also find links for help with algebra and chemistry.

Love Exploring Math? Already Taken Calculus? Already Taken Statistics?

For each of the core mathematics courses – Modeling, Calculus, and Statistics – the Department of Mathematical Sciences has advanced options and will place you in the appropriate course.