Math Placement

Math Placement | ALEKS PPL (Preparation, Placement, and Learning)

Current mathematics ACT/SAT scores, Math Placement Exam scores, and Advanced Placement (AP) calculus and statistics scores are used for placement in 1000-level and 2000-level mathematics and statistics courses. A current score is defined as a score from an exam taken within the Math Prerequisite Acceptability Time Limit (MPATL).

Students may satisfy the Math Acceptability Prerequisite Time Limit in several ways:

• A valid math ACT exam score taken within the past 12 months.
• A valid math SAT exam score taken within the past 12 months.
• Pass a concurrent enrollment course in Math 1050 or Math 1060 within the past 12 months. This only applies to those courses that use Math 1050 and/or Math 1060 as a prerequisite.
• A valid Math Placement Exam (MPE) score taken within the past 12 months for incoming students or a valid Math Placement Exam (MPE) score taken within the past three successive semesters (including summer semester) for students already enrolled at USU.
• A passing grade in the appropriate prerequisite course or courses within the past three semesters including summer semester.

Prerequisites for the math classes listed below must be completed on or after (not before) the following dates, in order to fall within the MPATL for the listed semester: fall semester—August 15 of the previous year; spring semester—January 1 of the previous year; summer semester—June 1 of the previous year.

Students who are registering for a math class at USU for the first time who have a math ACT score of less than 23 or a math SAT score of less than 540 (whether current or not) are required to take the Math Placement Exam (MPE) administered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. A student’s score on the Math Placement Exam will be used to determine his or her placement in appropriate mathematics or statistics course.

Students who are registering for a math class for the first time who have a current math ACT score of at least 23 or a current math SAT score of at least 540 do not need to take the Math Placement Exam (MPE). However, for each of the courses listed below, one of the following prerequisites, achieved within the MPATL, is required for enrollment.

For students needing a satisfactory score on the Math Placement Exam (MPE) to meet an enrollment requirement for any course listed below, the deadline for meeting this requirement is the end of the first week of classes. A maximum of three attempts to achieve a satisfactory score on the MPE is allowed each semester.

Math Placement Exam

Regardless of any previous record, students with an ACT mathematics score of less than 23 are required to take the Math Placement Test administered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. In addition, students who do not meet the prerequisite acceptability time limit requirement must take the Math Placement Test.

The Math Placement Test is administered online using an Internet browser. Students will be advised based on the results obtained on the Math Placement Test. Students may choose to enroll in a one-week math refresher course offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The fee for this course is $80.00. Refresher courses will be offered at the beginning of fall and spring semesters, either during the week before the semester begins or during the first week of classes (based on when the semester begins).

Placement into Math Classes

MATH 0950 - Pre-algebra (4 credits)       

No prerequisites.

MATH 0995 - College Mathematics Preparation (4 credits)   

Must meet one of the following prerequisites:

• Math ACT score of 16 or higher
• Math SAT score of 400 or higher 
• Grade of C- or better in MATH 0990  
• Satisfactory score on the Math Placement Exam (MPE)

* There is a $125.00 course fee required for classroom instruction and administrative costs.

Must meet one of the following prerequisites:

• Math ACT score of 23 or higher
• Math SAT score of at least 540 or higher
• Grade of C- or better in MATH 0995  
• AP Calculus AB exam score of 3 or higher
• Satisfactory score on the Math Placement Exam (MPE)

MATH 1051 - Classical Algebra for Teachers (QL) (4 credits)      

Must meet one of the following prerequisites:

• Math ACT score of 23 or higher
• Math SAT score of at least 540 or higher
• Grade of C- or better in MATH 0995  
• AP Calculus AB exam score of 3 or higher
• Satisfactory score on the Math Placement Exam (MPE)

Must meet one of the following prerequisites:

• Math ACT score of 23 or higher
• Math SAT score 540 or higher 
• Grade of C- or better in MATH 0995  (or MATH 1050 )
• AP Calculus AB exam score of 3 or higher 
• Satisfactory score on the Math Placement Exam

Must meet one of the following prerequisites:

• Math ACT score of 25 or higher
• Math SAT score of 580 or higher
• Grade of C- or better in MATH 1050   
• Satisfactory score on Math Placement Exam

Must meet one of the following prerequisites:

• Math ACT score of 27 or higher 
• Math SAT score of 620 or higher 
• Grade of C- or better in MATH 1050  and
  MATH 1060
    
• AP Calculus AB exam score of 3 or higher
• Satisfactory score on the Math Placement Exam

MATH 2010 - Algebraic Thinking & Number Sense for Elementary Education School Teachers (QI) (3 credits)   

Must meet one of the following prerequisites:

• MATH 1050  with a grade of C- or better
• MATH 1051  with a grade of C- or better
• ACT Math score of at least 25 or equivalent SAT Math score  
• AP Calculus AB score of at least 3
• Satisfactory score on the Math Placement Exam

Must meet one of the following prerequisites:  

• Math ACT score of 25 or higher
• Math SAT score of 580 or higher 
• Grade of C- or better in MATH 1050  
• Satisfactory score on the Math Placement Exam

Must meet one of the following prerequisites:

• Math ACT score of 23 or higher 
• Math SAT score of 540 or higher 
• Grade of C- or better in MATH 0995   
• Satisfactory score on the Math Placement Exam

STAT 1045 - Introduction to Statistics with Elements of Algebra (QL)  

Must meet one of the following prerequisites:

• ACT Math score of 16 or higher or equivalent SAT Math score  
• MATH 0950  with a grade of C- or better (a passing grade of P is acceptable)
• Satisfactory score on the Math Placement Exam 

Credits Awarded for AP Calculus Exams

Entering students with current passing scores on AP calculus or statistics exams will be awarded credits as shown below:

Even if not required, students may opt to take the Math Placement Test through the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, strictly for advising purposes.

The calculus courses MATH 1210 , MATH 1220 , and MATH 2210  are designed for students majoring in mathematics, the sciences, and engineering. MATH 1100  (Calculus Techniques) is designed primarily for students majoring in business. All students in calculus classes need strong backgrounds in the material covered in MATH 0995  and MATH 1050 .   In addition, the MATH 1210 , MATH 1220 , and MATH 2210  sequence requires a sound understanding of trigonometry (MATH 1060 ).

Students with outstanding mathematics records in high school and transfer students with some experience in calculus may wish to consult with a departmental advisor prior to registration.