About the Placement Exam

Click here for Placement Exam schedule (and how to sign up)

Students will be permitted to enroll in mathematics classes based on either a prerequisite course, their Math-ACT score, their Math-SAT score, or the Mathematics Placement test as follows. (Note- the Mathematics Placement test is the version given starting in Fall 2019 and later)

USA Math Course	Prereq/ACT/Placement	Grade/Score
MTH 100, MA 110, or MA 111	Math-ACT or Math-SAT (taken before 5/2016) or Math-SAT (taken 5/2016 or later) or Math Placement Test	Below 18 Below 460 Below 500 Below 60
MA 112 with co-requisite MTH 101	Math-ACT or Math-SAT (taken before 5/2016) or Math-SAT (taken 5/2016 or later) or Math Placement Test	18 or above 460 or above 500 or above 60-69
MA 112	MTH 100 or Math-ACT or Math-SAT (taken before 5/2016) or Math-SAT (taken 5/2016 or later) or Math Placement Test	C or above 22 or above 510 or above 540 or above 70-79
MA 113	MA 112 or Math-ACT or Math-SAT (taken before 5/2016) or Math-SAT (taken 5/2016 or later) or Math Placement Test	C or above 24 or above 560 or above 580 or above 80-89
MA 115	Math-ACT or Math-SAT (taken before 5/2016) or Math-SAT (taken 5/2016 or later) or Math Placement Test	25 or above 570 or above 590 or above 80-89
MA 120	MA 112 or Math-ACT or Math-SAT (taken before 5/2016) or Math-SAT (taken 5/2016 or later) or Math Placement Test	C or above 24 or above 530 or above 560 or above 80-89
MA 125	MA 113 or MA 115 or Math-ACT or Math-SAT (taken before 5/2016) or Math-SAT (taken 5/2016 or later) or Math Placement Test	C or above C or above 27 or above 620 or above 640 or above 90-100

Please read:

The Mathematics Placement test referred to in the table above is the version given starting in Fall 2019 and later.
MA 110 does not require the placement test or any minimum Math-ACT or Math-SAT score or any previous math class. But MA 110 does not serve as a substitute for the prerequisites for any core course, such as any precalculus or any calculus course. MA 110 only fulfills the mathematics requirements in selected academic programs. Check the University Bulletin for further details.

Who cannot take the mathematics placement test ?

Students who receive transfer credit for mathematics courses at or above the level of MA 110. Please refer to the student transfer credit evaluation.
Students who have taken a mathematics course.

Who does not have to take the mathematics placement test ?

Students who have either a SAT score or an ACT score.
Students who receive transfer credit for mathematics courses at or above the level of MA 112. Please refer to the student transfer credit evaluation.

Who has to take the mathematics placement test ?

Students who have neither a SAT score nor an ACT score.
Students who need courses which have math pre-requisite of MA112 or above but no transfer credit for those courses.

Who might wish to take the mathematics placement test ?

Students who have course credit may take the exam to check their mastery of the material.
Students who disagree with the course placement as determined by their ACT or SAT score. A student who disagrees with his/her placement based on ACT or SAT score must take the math placement exam before enrolling in any mathematics course.

The PAWS registration system will enforce the placement and course prerequisites as indicated in the Course Placement table above.

Notes:

Prerequisite overrides can be granted by the chair of Mathematics and Statistics, but these will only be given in exceptional cases.
Students should anticipate a 24 hour lag between the time they take the Math Placement Test and the time they can register for a math class.
Students should be encouraged to take the Math Placement Test early in their college career. Furthermore, they should be encouraged to fulfill their math requirements early. Mathematics knowledge and ability are necessary in quantitative courses, scientific courses, and a variety of applied business courses.
Retaking the Math Placement Test is allowed only under special circumstances. To do so, students must have a signed letter from his/her advisor sent to the Math Placement Test Coordinator in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics (MSPB 325). The letter should state this need and the reason for the request. Each request will be reviewed by the Math Placement Test Coordinator and the Department Chair. If a retake is granted, the student will be allowed to register for the last placement exam date prior to the start of the next term.