Course Placement

Course Placement

Math Placement

Virtually all students need to take this exam. Exceptions: if you, the student, receives transfer credit for mathematics courses at or above the level of MA 110; please refer to your student transfer credit evaluation. Everyone else: complete the online Math Placement Test prior to advising and registration. The test determines the most appropriate math course for which the student is qualified. Students can take the test from any web-based computer. Students gain no advantage in trying to place in a course for which they are not ready, so we ask that students do not use a calculator or other outside resources. If you place in a lower-level course than expected, take it, considering it as preparation for the higher-level course. If you place in a higher-level course, and it fulfills their major requirement, take it, realizing you otherwise will be bored. Note: even if you have course credit, you certainly may take the exam to check your mastery of the material. Your placement test score stands as part of our record about you, but it does not display on any transcript.

Students must complete the placement test within an uninterrupted 90 minutes; do not log off and expect to log back on to complete the test. If a window pops up and asks if the user wants to display secure and nonsecure items, click “YES.” Also note that the test may be taken as soon as you receive your JAG number from the Office of Admissions. You, the student, should keep a copy of your Mathematics Placement Test results to take to your academic advisor. The test URL: www.southalabama.edu/mathplacement. Questions about the test should be directed to mathplacement@jaguar1.usouthal.edu or contact the Mathematics and Statistics Department. The registration system will enforce the placement and course prerequisites as indicated in the below table.

For Placement In

USA Math Course	Required Course/Test	Minimum Grade/Score
DS 082	Math Placement Test	35-45
MTH 100	Math Placement Test	50-65
MA 110	Math Placement Test or MTH 100	35
MA 112	Math Placement Test or MTH 100	66 C
MA 113	MA 112 or Math Placement Test	C 75
MA 115	Math Placement Test	75
MA 120	MA 112 or MA 113 or MA 115 or Math Placement Test	C C C 75
MA 125	MA 113 or MA 115 or Math Placement Test	C C 85

Academic advisors and students: also be aware of the following:

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To place into MA 110, a student must have either a math placement test score of 35, or have completed MTH 100 with a grade of C or better. Note: MA 110 is not a prerequisite course for any other mathematics course. MA 110 only fulfills the mathematics requirements in selected academic programs. Check the University Bulletin.

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Prerequisite overrides can be granted by the chair of Mathematics and Statistics, but these will only be given in exceptional cases such as those in which college credit from another institution, AP credit, or IB credit has not been recorded in the system.

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Students should anticipate a 48 hour lag between the time they take the Math Placement Test and the time they register.

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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.

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Retaking the Math Placement Test is allowed only under special circumstances. To do so, students must bring to the Mathematics and Statistics Department secretary a signed letter stating this need. The letter must be written by either the student’s present mathematics instructor, or the student’s academic advisor. Students will then be placed on a contact list; retakes occur once each semester, just prior to registration for the next term, in a proctored, class-room environment.

Note: Students admitted to the University through the Developmental Studies Program must take the paper and pencil version of the math placement exam proctored in the Department of Developmental Studies during new student orientation. DSP-admitted students should not take the online Math Placement Test. These students are required to complete through MTH100 successfully, regardless of where they start in the DS math sequence, before beginning college-level math.