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Math Placement

Students will be permitted to enroll in mathematics classes based on either a prerequisite course, their Math-ACT scores or the Mathematics Placement test as follows:

Course Placement
USA Math Course	Prereq/ACT/Placement	Grade/Score
DS 082	Math-ACT or Math Placement Test*	Below 19 50-59
MTH 100	Math-ACT or Math Placement Test*	19-21 60-69
MA 112	MTH 100 or Math-ACT or Math Placement Test*	C or above 22 or above 70-79
MA 113	MA 112 or Math-ACT or Math Placement Test*	C or above 24 or above 80-89
MA 115	Math-ACT or Math Placement Test*	25 or above 80-89
MA 120	MA 112 or MA 113 or MA 115 or Math-ACT or Math Placement Test*	C or above C or above C or above 23 or above 80-89
MA 125	MA 113 or MA 115 or Math-ACT or Math Placement Test*	C or above C or above 27 or above 90-100

Please read:

1. This is a new Math Placement test, effective Fall 2011. It replaces the old Math Placement test. Please note the revised scoring system.
2. MA 110 does not require the placement test or any minimum Math-ACT score or any previous math class. But MA 110 also does not serve as a prerequisite for any other math or stat course. MA 110 only fulfills the mathematics requirements in selected academic programs. Check the University Bulletin.
3. Students admitted to the University as conditional freshmen must take the math placement exam proctored in the Department of Developmental Studies (251-460-7155) during new student orientation. Conditional freshmen students should not take the Math Placement Test in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics. These students are required to successfully complete courses through MTH100, regardless of where they start in the DS math sequence, before beginning college-level math.

Who does not have to take the mathematics placement test ?

• Students who have an ACT score.
• Students who receive transfer credit for mathematics courses at or above the level of MA 112. Please refer to the student transfer credit evaluation.

Who has to take the mathematics placement test ?

• Students who do not have an ACT score.
• Students who need courses which have math pre-requisite of MA112 or above but no transfer credit for those courses.

Who might wish to take the mathematics placement test ?

• Students who have course credit may take the exam to check their mastery of the material.
• Students who disagree with the course placement as determined by ACT score.

Mathematics placement test schedule

The placement test is a computer-based test. It will be given in Instructional Laboratory Building during the times listed below. The test will be proctored and no calculators, computers, tablets, cell-phones or outside resources will be allowed.

• Friday November 16, 2012, at 4pm in room ILB 405
• Monday January 7, 2013, at 3pm, in ILB 405
• Wednesday January 9, 2013, at 3pm, in ILB 405
• Friday January 11, 2013, at 3pm, in ILB 405
• Monday January 14, 2013, at 3pm, in ILB 245
• Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at 3pm, in 3pm ILB 245
• Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at 3pm in ILB 245
• Thursday, May 23, 2013, at 3pm in ILB 245
• Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 3pm yn ILB 245
• Monday, June 3, 2013 at 3pm in ILB 245
• Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 3pm in ILB 245
• Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 3pm in ILB 245
• Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 3pm in ILB 245
• Monday, July 8, 2013 at 3pm in ILB 245
• Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 3pm in ILB 245
• Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at 3pm in ILB 245
• Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at 3pm in ILB 245
• Friday, August 16, 2013 at 3pm in ILB 245
• Monday, August 19, 2013 at 3pm in ILB 245

Instructions: Students must complete the placement test within one uninterrupted attempt. Logging off and logging back on to complete the test is not allowed. Students will need their JAG number and their Jagmail email address (provided by the USA Office of Admissions) to take the test. The result of a test will be emailed to the student's Jagmail email address. The mathematics placement test score will not be included on any transcript. Student should keep a copy of his/her Mathematics Placement Test results to take to his/her academic advisor. Direct questions about the test to or contact the Mathematics and Statistics Department (251-460-6264). The PAWS registration system will enforce the placement and course prerequisites as indicated in the Course Placement table above.

Notes:

• 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 PAWS.
• Students should anticipate a 48 hour lag between the time they take the Math Placement Test and the time they can register for a math class.
• 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.
• Retaking the Math Placement Test is allowed only under special circumstances. To do so, students must bring a signed letter stating this need to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics (ILB 325). 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.

Last modified on Friday, 06-Jun-03 11:15:35

Department of Mathematics and Statistics
ILB 325
University of South Alabama
411 University Blvd North
Mobile, AL 36688-0002
phone: (251) 460-6264 (voice), (251) 460-7969 (fax)
dept e-mail:
current page:
http://www.southalabama.edu/mathstat/non-css-placement.shtml