You’re committed to your education. We are too. That’s why there are benchmarks in place to ensure you’re armed with the mathematics skills to realize this success. Regardless of your placement level, there is a pathway that will take you where you want to go. Here’s how it works.

Each new student is placed at a specific skill level by a committee of mathematics faculty. They determine this by considering your:

• Scores on mathematics and reading placement exams
• High school math courses completed and level of success achieved
• SAT/ACT scores, if available
• Time lapse since completing last math course
• Motivation and attitude, as determined by an affective survey
• High school rank

Mathematics Courses Flow Chart

There are seven placement levels, with one being the lowest and seven being the highest.

Placement One

Students in this category are not comfortable with basic arithmetic. Developmental courses are required before attempting any certificate or degree-level mathematics course. Typically, students assigned to this placement have experienced difficulty with mathematics throughout their education or have been away from mathematics for an extended period of time.

Placement Two

Students in this category have an adequate understanding of arithmetic but need to build elementary algebra skills. Developmental courses are required before attempting any certificate or degree-level mathematics course. Typically, students assigned to this placement have not taken an algebra course, have experienced difficulty with algebra, or have forgotten algebra concepts because they have not used algebra for a significant length of time.

Placement Three

Students in this category have algebra skills sufficient for success in some college math courses, but not for the college algebra I level and above. Typically, students who receive this placement have taken at least two high school algebra courses. However, they may have experienced difficulty or forgotten some concepts because they have not used algebra for a significant length of time.

Placement Four & Five

This broad category includes students with a working knowledge of algebra up to and including college algebra I, but not pre-calculus and above. Typically, students who are assigned to this placement have experienced success in high school algebra I and II, may have taken courses beyond the algebra II level, and have usually scored well on the math portion of the SAT/ACT.

Placement Six

Students in this category have a solid working knowledge of algebra sufficient for all beginning college math courses below calculus. Typically, students assigned to this placement have experienced success beyond the level of high school algebra II, may have taken a trigonometry course, and usually have scored very well on the math portion of the SAT/ACT.

Placement Seven

Students at this level have very good working knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. They are prepared for all beginning college math courses including calculus I. Typically, students assigned this placement have experienced success in high school algebra, trigonometry, and possibly high school calculus. Many have earned high grades in these courses and have a strong SAT/ACT score in mathematics.