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English & Math Course Placement

Undergraduate Assessment for Course Placement

To improve the accuracy of the course placement processes, MSUM is using multiple assessments to place students, rather than a single high-stakes test. Measurements include ACT, SAT, MCA, High school GPA and Accuplacer. This process will allow for accurate placement of students into courses that meet their level of academic abilities.

These course placements are not just based on your ACT/SAT score(s). These placements can range from developmental coursework to prepare you for classes required for your major, to placement directly into higher level courses. If you have more questions, please contact us.

English Placement

Printable version of the English Placement Chart

ACT/SAT English Sub-score or Accuplacer English Score

ACT/SAT/Accuplacer English placement scores are valid for five years.

English & Reading Placement Information

English Placement If these requirements are met:	The student qualifies to begin at the selected, ✔, or preceding ENGLISH course(s).
English Placement If these requirements are met:	ENGL 099	ENGL 101	ENGL 201
Any of the following: ACT ≤ 17 OR SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing < 480 OR SAT Writing < 430 OR NGA Reading ≤ 249 OR Classic Reading Comprehension ≤ 78	ENGL 099 ✔	ENGL 101	ENGL 201
Any of the following: ACT = 18-20 OR NGA Reading = 250-263 OR Classic Reading Comprehension ≥ 78 OR HS GPA of 2.5	ENGL 099	ENGL 101 ✔	ENGL 201
ACT English ≥ 26 OR SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing ≥ 600	ENGL 099	ENGL 101 ✔	ENGL 201 ✔
ESL Accuplacer Scoring: Combined Reading Skills, Language Usage, and Sentence Meaning ≥ 330	ENGL 099	ENGL 101 ✔	ENGL 201
ESL Accuplacer Scoring: Combined Reading Skills, Language Usage, and Sentence Meaning scores < 330	ENGL 099 ✔	ENGL 101	ENGL 201

*All scores are valid for 5 years.

*Two sets of Accuplacer placement scores are available: Classic Reading Comprehension and Next Generation Accuplacer (NGA) Reading.

Math Placement

Printable version of the Math Placement Table and Flowchart

The following table will help you determine which math course you are ready for based on your test scores and other placement information. Note that the table gives many options for placement for each score. It is important that you also speak with your advisor to make sure that you are taking the math course that is most appropriate for your major. After the table you will find a flow chart that contains the beginning courses in the math department and explains how one course leads to another, so that you can make a plan for completing the math requirements for your major.

ACT, MCA and SAT scores are valid for 5 years.
AccuPlacer scores are valid for 2 years.

Mathematics Placement If these requirements are met:	✔ indicates the math courses students may take based on the requirements in the left column. Select a course that best fits their major, individual needs and interests.
Mathematics Placement If these requirements are met:	090A	105	110	134	099	127	227	142	143	210	229	234
QAS < 250	090A ✔	105 ✔	110	134	099	127	227	142	143	210	229	234
AR ≥ 57 OR AR + EA ≥ 100 OR 250 ≤ QAS < 255	090A ✔	105 ✔	110 ✔ With Coreq MATH 110C	134 ✔ With Coreq MATH 134C	099	127	227	142	143	210	229	234
ACT Math ≥ 19 OR EA ≥ 76 OR QAS ≥ 255 OR 234 ≤ AAF ≤ 249	090A ✔	105 ✔	110 ✔	134 ✔	099 ✔	127 ✔ With Coreq MATH 127C	227	142	143	210	229	234
ACT Math ≥ 22 OR SAT ≥ 530 OR ACT Math 20 - 21 and HS GPA ≥ 2.7 OR IA ≥ 60 OR AAF ≥ 250	090A ✔	105 ✔	110 ✔	134 ✔	099 ✔	127 ✔	227	142	143	210	229	234
ACT Math ≥ 23 OR IA ≥ 60 OR AAF ≥ 255	090A ✔	105 ✔	110 ✔	134 ✔	099 ✔	127 ✔	227 ✔	142	143	210	229	234
ACT Math ≥ 24 OR CLM ≥ 50 OR AAF ≥ 255	090A ✔	105 ✔	110 ✔	134 ✔	099 ✔	127 ✔	227 ✔	142 ✔	143 ✔	210 ✔	229 ✔	234 ✔
*MCA ≥ 1146	090A ✔	105 ✔	110	134 ✔	099	127	227	142	143	210	229	234
MCA ≥ 1158 OR *HS GPA ≥ 2.8	090A ✔	105 ✔	110	134	099	127 ✔	227	142	143	210	229	234

Two sets of AccuPlacer placement scores are available:

Classic AccuPlacer: Arithmetic (AR), Elementary Algebra (EA), Intermediate Algebra (IA), College Mathematics (CLM)
Next Generation AccuPlacer (NGA): Arithmetic (NAR), Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, Statistics (QAS), Advanced Algebra and Functions (AAF)

ACT Math and SAT Math Scores Comparison: ACT 19= SAT 510; ACT 20=SAT 520; ACT 21=SAT 530; ACT 22=SAT 540; ACT 23=SAT 560; ACT 24=SAT 580.

*MCA, Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment, Mathematics score will be used for only MATH 134, and MATH 127 placement.

**HS GPA ≥ 2.8 is accepted for placement into MATH 127. It is strongly encouraged that an additional placement criterion be satisfied to ensure proper placement. This may include an ACT or AccuPlacer score, or successful completion of a high school Algebra II class (C or better). It is also encouraged that if only HS GPA ≥ 2.8 is used for placement into MATH 127 and the student’s HS GPA < 3.3, the student enroll in the corequisite MATH 127C course.

Math Placement Flowchart

This flowchart illustrates math paths through developmental and LASC IV mathematics courses.

*A corequisite is available to complete a support course which includes applicable developmental math topics and a college level course in one semester.
** A student may enroll concurrently in MATH 127 and MATH 143 if they completed MATH 099 with a grade of B- or better, or have ACT Math ≥ 22 or SAT ≥ 530 or IA ≥ 60 or AAF ≥ 250.

Printable version of the Math Placement Table and Flowchart

$Math Placement Flowchart Image Link$

Most courses have a minimum grade requirement to qualify as a prerequisite for the next course.