Math Placement
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The goal of the mathematics placement procedure is to place each student into the most advanced level first mathematics or statistics class for which the student has a good chance of succeeding. In order to be as effective as possible in achieving this goal, we utilize multiple measures of mathematical preparedness to help students determine which mathematics or statistics class should be their first class. Each student is assigned an initial placement and has two opportunities to challenge that placement.
In the table below,
- MI, or Math Index, is computed as (17 x Math ACT Score) plus (250 x High School GPA).
- CI, or Challenge Index, is computed as (Accuplacer AAF Score) plus (290 x High School GPA) plus 20.
- ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning is a component of the SDSU Jacks LeaP program.
- Student may choose the column which best fits their course goals.
- The "Accuplacer only" column only applies if the student does not have an eligible High School Grade Point Average.
| Course | High School GPA | Math Index (MI) MI= 250 × HS GPA + 17 × Math ACT* | Accuplacer score (only if no High School GPA) | Smarter Balanced Score | Challenge Index CI = 290 × HS GPA + AAF** + 20 If student does not reach AAF domain, no challenge index | ALEKS PPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH 101 or MATH 103 w/093 | Basic Placement- anyone can take these courses- there is no placement or prerequisite requirement for these courses | |||||
| MATH 114 w/094 | 2.34 ≤ HSGPA< 3.03 | MI 950 or higher | QAS 224-254 | 2543-2627 | CI 950 or higher | 32 |
| MATH 103 or MATH 114 (no lab) | 3.03 ≤ HSGPA < 3.55 | MI 1150 or higher | QAS 255-300 or AAF 200-249 | 2628 or higher | CI 1150 or higher | 46 |
| MATH 115 or MATH 120 or MATH 121/121L or STAT 281 | HSGPA is 3.55 or higher | MI 1300 or higher | AAF 250-300 or Accuplacer SDCalculus 1-15 | NA | CI 1300 or higher | 61 |
| MATH 123 w/123L | HSGPA is 3.55 or higher AND Accuplacer Calculus 16 or higher | MI 1300 or higher and Accuplacer Calculus 16 or higher | AAF 250+ and Accuplacer SDCalculus 16 or higher | NA | CI 1300 or higher and Accuplacer Calculus 16 or higher | 76 |
| MATH 123 (no lab) or MATH 123 w/123L (Honors) | HSGPA is 3.55 or higher and Accuplacer SDCalculus 19 or higher | MI 1300 or higher and Accuplacer SDCalculus 19 or higher | AAF 250+ and Accuplacer SDCalculus 19 or higher | NA | CI 1300 or higher and Accuplacer SDCalculus 19 or higher | 89 |
*SAT is converted to equivalent ACT for MI calculation **AAF (Advanced Algebra and Functions) Accuplacer Math score
Accuplacer domains: QAS: Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics; AAF: Advanced Algebra and Functions
Test scores and high school GPA must be no more than five years old to be used for placement.
The mathematics placement procedure is not a guarantee of success. If you feel any measures used for your placement is an overestimate of your actual skill level, talk with your advisor or counselor to choose an appropriate course for which you have the best chance for success.
Challenging your placement (noncalculus)
If you believe you are capable of succeeding in a more advanced class than the one in which you are placed by the standard placement procedures described above, you may challenge your placement by taking the Next Generation Accuplacer. Incoming SDSU students are allowed up to two challenge opportunities for the Next Generation Accuplacer, which must be taken prior to their first college level mathematics course. High school dual-credit students are permitted one challenge per semester.
There is a $20 challenge fee that must be paid prior to testing. Though students are allowed two challenges, review of the subject should be done prior to testing. The Next Generation Accuplacer exam may be taken no more than two times.
If a student reaches the Advanced Algebra and Functions domain and has an eligible high school GPA, the Challenge index above is used to determine the correct class. If a student does not reach the Advanced Algebra and Functions domain and has a high school GPA, their initial placement applies.
If a student does not have an eligible high school GPA, the score on the Accuplacer Next Generation is used for placement as in the fourth column in the table above.
It is not always possible to change your placement using the Accuplacer. If you wish to challenge your placement, talk with your advisor to determine if it is possible to change your placement using the Accuplacer. If that is possible, please set up an appointment at the testing center. If it is not possible, consider participating in placement using ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (PPL). The cost for ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning is $25, paid directly to the publisher.
Calculus Placement
Students are placed into calculus based on the Accuplacer SDCalc exam. The SDCalc exam may only be taken by students whose initial or challenge placement is Math 115 (precalculus). There is no cost for the first time the exam is taken. There is a $20 fee to take the exam a second time (challenge placement). The Accuplacer SDCalc exam may only be taken twice.
Enrolling in a course lower than placed
Students who wish to enroll in a less advanced course than the one into which they are placed by the standard placement procedure should contact their advisor. Be sure to take a math class which will prepare you sufficiently for the courses in your current or possible major(s).
Consequences of ignoring the placement procedure
Students who are not enrolled in the appropriate course based on standard placement or challenge procedures will be notified by email from the math department placement coordinator to the student jacks.sdstate.edu email account. Failure to adjust courses or take the appropriate placement test prior to the add/drop date for the semester will result in the student being administratively dropped from math courses.
Some students should consider the CLEP College Algebra Exam
Students with an ACT Math score of 25 or higher should consider the CLEP College Algebra Exam if Math 114 (College Algebra) is the only course required for their major. Successful completion of the CLEP College Algebra examination allows qualification for Math 114 credits. The cost to take a CLEP exam is $100 plus a $20 registration fee. If a passing score is achieved, students will pay $8.50 per credit (three credits x $8.50 = $25.50) to have these credits recorded on the transcript. Find
If you already have college credit
If you already have college credit for Math 114 (previously 102), Math 115 or higher, you will not use the placement process. The following table describes the prerequisites for first-year courses at SDSU.
| You may register for this class | If you have SDSU credit for this class |
|---|---|
| Math 114 | Math 095, Math 101, Math 103 |
| Math 115, Math 120, Math 121 | Math 114 |
| Stat 281 | Math 114 or Math 103 |
| Math 123 with required Math 123L | Math 115 with a grade of C or D or Math 120 with a grade of C or D (not recommended) |
| Math 123 (no lab required) or Math 123 Honors with required Honors Math 123L | Math 115 with a grade of A or B or Math 120 with a grade of A or B (not recommended) |
Important note: Before deciding to take the Accuplacer exam, talk with your adviser to see if it is possible to change your placement using the Accuplacer.
MyMathTest is a product hosted by Pearson Publishing. The MyMathTest program ($14.99) will help you to review and refresh your math skills before taking the Placement exam. This program is not designed to teach new mathematics. Completion of this program is not a guarantee that you will raise your math placement when you take the exam. You should allow a few weeks of working with this program before scheduling your challenge exam. The program includes a diagnostic exam and some practice problems and videos. You should complete the diagnostic exam, work through the recommended material, take the diagnostic exam again, work again through the recommended material and continue this pattern until you feel you are ready for the placement exam.
To start go to and under “Register Now” choose “Student.” On the next page make sure you have the three items described, then click "OK! Register now." Unless you have previously purchased an access code, you will click the button beside “No, I need to buy access.” Following the instructions on the screens, you will purchase an Access code and then use that Access code to gain access to one of the following programs:
Program numbers
- Pre-college algebra through precalculus: XL4M-T1CS-701Z-50W2 (through 2-26-26).
- Prepare to place into calculus: XL4M-T1CZ-901Y-0EW2 (through 2-26-26).
Once you have signed up, you can login immediately and begin work. If you leave and return to this site, you’ll click on “Sign in”.
Once you have completed the MyMathTest program arrange to take the Placement exam to determine your new placement. Contact SDSU Testing Center at 605-688-6460 to schedule an exam at the SDSU Brookings main campus, or any BOR testing center, or to arrange a proctor (must be a high school counselor).
