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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Math Skills Center

Mathematics Placement Testing

The MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT TEST

Mathematics placement at SCSU is designed to assist you in starting your mathematics study at the appropriate level.    Because research shows that students who enter courses at the proper level are more successful in college, a satisfactory ACT math score is required for enrollment in entry-level mathematics or statistics courses (MATH 072, 112, 113, 115, 171, 193, 196 and STAT 193, 219, 229).   Students that have not taken the ACT exam will need to either (i) earn a sufficient score on the SCSU mathematics placement test or (ii) provide documented evidence of successful completion of prerequisite course work before they may enroll in one of these courses.  In addition, note these important points:

1. Any student may enroll in MATH 070, Basic Math Concepts.

2. To enroll directly in a calculus course, MATH 211 or MATH 221, or in MATH 113 or in STAT 229, you must take and earn a satisfactory score on the calculus readiness test.

3. Students that do not believe their ACT math score accurately reflects their mathematical preparedness may also take the mathematics placement test before enrolling in their first math course at SCSU.

4. Though there is no fee, a student must have an appointment to take a placement exam. 

 

COURSES REQUIRING PLACEMENT TESTING or EXEMPTION

STAT 193, 219, 229

MATH 072, 112, 113, 115, 171, 193, 196, 211, 221

 

CHECK this CHART to see if you are qualified for the course you wish to take.

 

MATH 072

MATH 193

STAT 193

MATH 112

MATH 171

MATH 196

MATH 115

STAT 219

ACT math score minimum
21
23
24

For course descriptions in the undergraduate bulletin for Math courses go to http://bulletin.stcloudstate.edu/courses.asp?deptCode=math

For course descriptions in the undergraduate bulletin for Stat courses go to  http://bulletin.stcloudstate.edu/courses.asp?deptCode=stat

 

 

VIEW PLACEMENT TESTING SCHEDULE AND TO MAKE APPOINTMENT

  • Summer 2008   Remember:  Appointments are necessary, and space is limited. 
  • NOTE: These appointments are NOT for students attending Advising Days.

 

EXEMPTIONS FROM SCSU TESTING

The Department of Mathematics will exempt transfer students who provide evidence showing completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better. You should deliver to ECC 139, fax to (320) 308-4269 or email to mathplacement@stcloudstate.edu  any one of the following:

  • a copy of your SCSU transfer evaluation worksheet
  • your transcripts from another college

Please include your SCSU ID number on your documentation.

CAUTION: Materials sent to the office of Records and Registration will not provide exemption.

 

PLACEMENT POLICY

- A student may take a math placement test no more than twice in a 12 month period. 

- A student who is currently taking or has taken a math course may not retake a placement exam for a higher course placement. Once you are enrolled or have taken a math course a placement score will not allow you to change to a higher course.

Students who have tested at SCSU within the past year or successfully completed (with a grade of C- or better) prerequisite courses need not retake the test.  Transfer documentation is valid for one year.

TO VIEW YOUR PLACEMENT SCORE

  • Access SCSU online registration system.
  • Click on "Grades and Transcripts" tab on the left hand side of the page. (Under Student e-Services).
  • Click on "Degree Audit Report" tab also on the left hand side of the page.  (Under Grades and Transcripts).
  • Scroll down on this page to the section labled "Legend".
  • Underneath the "Legend" section are all test scores including your placement score.
  • Refer to placements documents below to determine which course you should take.

PLACEMENT ADVISING  

     - Major program advice on Math or Stat requirements (PDF format)

     - ACT placement advice

     - Placement testing in Mathematics and Statistics, Policy beginning Summer 2008 (PDF format)

     - Placement testing in Mathematics and Statistics, Policy Prior to Summer 2008 (PDF format)

        Note:   Scores are currently valid for two years.

 

REVIEW RESOURCES

If you need to brush up your skills before enrolling in college, Mindquest Academy offers online classes to Minnesota adults who may not be college-ready.

Practice placement tests from other universities:

Some helpful practice tests are available at:

Resources at the Miller Center on campus

Bittinger/Ellenbogen Intermediate Algebra Resource Intermdeiate Algebra is a series of video tapes that accompany the Bittinger book.  They are on reserve at the circulation desk at the Learning Resource Center on campus (LR&TS).

 

 

This document was last updated on June 17, 2008
This page is maintained by Wayne Braith, Mathematics Department.