Mathematics and Statistics Placement

Policy

Students seeking enrollment in Math 112: College Algebra, Math 201: Elements of Mathematics, or Stat 154 Elementary Statistics must demonstrate readiness to succeed in the course through one of the following means:

Course	ACT Mathematics Sub Score	SAT Mathematics Sub Score	MCA Mathematics Score	Next Gen Accuplacer AAF Test Score	Course Prerequisite
MATH 112	22 or higher	530 or higher	1158 or higher	250 or higher	Grade of P in Math 098
	20-21 and HS GPA 2.7 or higher	520-529 and HS GPA 2.7 or higher	1152-1157 and HS GPA 2.7 or higher	236-249 and HS GPA 2.7 or higher
MATH 201	22 or higher	530 or higher	1158 or higher	250 or higher	Grade of P in Math 098 or “C” (2.0) or better in Math 112 or Math 115
	20-21 and HS GPA 2.7 or higher	520-529 and HS GPA 2.7 or higher	1152-1157 and HS GPA 2.7 or higher	236-249 and HS GPA 2.7 or higher
STAT 154	19 or higher	500 or higher	1148 or higher	250 or higher	Grade of P in Math 098 or  “C” (2.0) or better in Math 112, Math 115, or Math 121
			1146-1147 and HS GPA 2.7 or higher

Students not meeting one of the test requirements will be placed in Math 098: Intermediate Algebra.
Students seeking enrollment in courses beyond those listed above must demonstrate readiness to succeed in the course through one of the following means: ACT score, SAT score, Next Gen ACCUPLACER score(s), or satisfactory completion (i.e. grade of C or better) of pre-requisite coursework, according to the chart below.

 

Course	Minimum ACT Math Sub Score	Minimum SAT Math Score	Minimum Next Gen Accuplacer Score	Course Prerequisites
Math 113	22	550	260	Math 112 with “C” or better
Math 115	23	560	260	Grade of P in Math 098
Math 121	24	580	275 and “classic” Accuplacer Calculus Readiness score of 21 or higher	Math 115 or both Math 112 and 113 with “C” or better
Math 130	23	560	260	Math 112 or Math 115 with a “C” or better
Math 180	23	560	260	Math 112 or Math 115 with a “C” or better
Math 181	23	560	260	Math 112 or Math 115 with a “C” or better
Math 290	29	680	na	Math 122 with a “C” or better

NOTE 1: Documented Next Gen ACCUPLACER scores from any Minnesota State College and Universities (MinnState) institution taken within two calendar years will be accepted.
NOTE 2: ACT and SAT scores and “classic” or Next Gen ACCUPLACER scores that are more than two years old or MCA scores more than five years old will not be accepted for mathematics placement.

 

Procedure

Students may substitute for the above requirements based on documentation of:

1. equivalent or higher scores on standardized college admissions tests, such as SAT quantitative scores, that report a separate mathematics sub-score within two calendar years;
2. successful completion of equivalent prior post-secondary education, such as course transfer evaluations or Cambridge International Examinations; or
3. enrollment exclusively in non-credit courses or programs.

Students requesting such substitutions should submit the documentation to the Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics for evaluation. The evaluation will be based on nationally accepted concordances between the testing instruments and/or courses. The Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics or designee should respond in writing to student requests within three weeks of receiving them.

Procedure for Waiver

1. Students not meeting the requirements for enrollment in Math 112, Math 201 or Stat 154 may request a waiver to this policy.
2. Written requests for waivers to the policy must be submitted to the Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and should include evidence of alternate means of demonstrating readiness for college algebra including but not limited to:

• • High school or recent post-secondary coursework which would indicate adequate preparation (transcripts or other records which include course titles, levels and grades are acceptable), or
  • Verification of extenuating circumstances which may have affected performance on previous exams.

3. Requests for waivers should be submitted by the following deadlines:

• • August 5th for fall semester enrollment,
  • December 1st for spring semester enrollment, and
  • May 1st for summer session enrollment.

4. The Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics or designee should respond in writing to student requests within three weeks of receiving them.
5. Students whose initial requests are denied may submit a written appeal to the Dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. The Dean should respond in writing, with a copy to the Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
6. The Dean’s decision is the final step in this appeal process.

Rationale

The purpose of this policy is to improve students’ success in college by assessing their readiness for mathematics courses and by providing them with further preparation when necessary. Data suggests students not meeting these guidelines have a higher likelihood of having to repeat a course. Minnesota State, Mankato’s policy is based on Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board Procedure 3.3.1, Assessment for Course Placement (http://www.minnstate.edu/board/procedure/303p1.html)