College Math Placement Resources

Introduction

Colleges and universities use math placement exams to determine what math courses students should take as incoming freshmen or transfer students. Despite standardized tests not always showing a students true skill, it is a reality that students have to face entering higher education.

Math placement exams can place students into higher level math courses but also remedial math classes. Remedial math courses typically provide no college credit, do not count towards degree requirements, and many scholarships will not cover the cost. This is why it is important for students, teachers, parents, etc. to be aware of the math placement requirements so that students can prepare the best they can and avoid remedial math placement.

Types of Testing

Colleges and universities typically fall into one of 4 categories when it comes to math placement. Some use their own math placement test, some use an ACCUPLACER exam, some do not have any math placement tests at all and look solely at transcripts and ACT/SAT scores, and the largest category is schools who use the ALEKS PPL exam.

What is ACCUPLACER? Placement exams provided through college board. Has a lot of practice test and study resources. Most community and technical colleges across the country use ACCUPLACER as their method of testing.

What is ALEKS PPL? An adaptive, computer based exam. Typically allows multiple retakes and provides study resources based on what you missed in prior attempts.

Below you will find colleges and universities, mostly from around the Midwest, categorized into their respective category, many with links to the school's website.

Schools that use their own placement test

Wisconsin

• UW-Madison

• Wisconsin Lutheran College (only if degree requires calculus)

• Alverno College

Illinois

• University of Chicago

• Loyola University

• Southern Illinois University - Carbondale

• Roosevelt University

• DePaul University

Indiana

• Notre Dame (only if degree requires calculus)

• Indiana State University

Michigan

• Michigan State University

• University of Michigan

Other

• University of Minnesota

• Georgetown (only if degree required calculus)

• The Ohio State University

Schools that do not use a placement test

Schools that use ACCUPLACER

Schools that use ALEKS PPL

So How Do I prepare?

1. Start by determining the type of test your university has. Need help finding it? At the top of my page, click contact, let me know which college or university you are looking for and I will find it for you!

2. If your school is using accuplacer or aleks ppl, test right away! Don't worry about studying yet and don't delay. You can retake these tests multiple times. See where you are at and where you need to study for the retake.

3. Advocate for yourself! Are you really close to the next level? Only a few points away? Reach out to a guidance counselor. They have the power to make manual changes (this happened to me!). Not sure how to read your results? I can help! Click contact at the top of the page.