Your math placement code is determined by various factors—some are described below, but please be aware of the full list of factors. In particular, note that we prefer placing you via the Math Readiness Test (MRT), since the MRT gives us the most up-to-date sense of your current math ability.
Placement via the SAT Exam Math Score or the ACT Exam Math Score is considered for entering freshman students. For SAT and ACT math placement prior to Fall 2007, see SAT and ACT math placement rules from 1998 through 2006.
Note that the overall goal of our placement process is to determine which math courses will challenge you yet allow you to succeed, and it is nearly impossible to do this accurately based solely on your raw SAT/ACT score. Although we will place you into courses based on that score if it is high enough, you might place higher by taking the MRT. (Taking the MRT can only increase your placement code. There is never a placement penalty for taking the MRT.)
When you take the SAT (see registration calendar) or the ACT (see registration calendar), be sure to have your scores sent to the UA. (To have scores from a previously-taken exam sent to the UA, contact the SAT Scores Service or the ACT Scores Service.) Note that it takes approximately three weeks from the exam date (or score mailing request) for scores to be sent to the UA.
You can view your Student Academic Progress Report (SAPR) in Student Link. (Be sure to generate a new SAPR if you believe information to be out of date.)
For students participating in New Student Orientation, your math placement code is determined automatically prior to orientation if your scores are high enough. To obtain placement in other circumstances, or if you believe a math placement error has occurred, please request a math placement review.
| *Placement via SAT/ACT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Test Score | Expiration (for placement) | Placement | |
| SAT Math | ACT Math | ||
| 0–490 | 0–20 | No placement | |
| 500–560 | 21–24 | 1 year | MATH1 Code 100 |
| 570–640 | 26–28 | 1 year | MATH1 Code 200 |
| 650–660 | 29 | 1 year | MATH1 Code 250 |
| 670–710 | 30 | 1 year | MATH1 Code 350 |
| 720–800 | 31–36 | 1 year | MATH1 Code 450 |
*This table is for Fall 2007 Freshman only.
Our Transfer and Testing Credits pages explain how to obtain UA MATH credits via AP tests, CLEP tests, IB tests, dual-credit high school math courses, and non-UA college math courses. Because the credit transfer process may not complete in time for you to register for classes, you may need to obtain (see below) a preliminary math placement code.
You can view your Student Academic Progress Report (SAPR) in Student Link. (Be sure to generate a new SAPR if you believe information to be out of date.)
First you must obtain and transfer the credit to the UA. Once the credit shows up on your SAPR, you can request a math placement review to obtain updated placement. But if you need math placement prior to that, submit an unofficial copy of your transcript to the Math Placement Office, and if the transfer credits are from an institution that is outside Arizona (or even outside the United States), then you furthermore need to request an evaluation. Placement from transfer credit is considered only for a certain amount of time (see following table).
| Placement via Transfer Credit | ||
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Credit Type | Expiration (for placement) | Placement |
| Elementary Algebra | none | MATH1 Code 100 |
| Intermediate Algebra | 18 months | MATH1 Code 200 |
| Trigonometry | 18 months | MATH1 Code 230 |
| College Algebra with Data Analysis | 18 months | MATH1 Code 245 |
| College Algebra | 18 months | MATH1 Code 250 |
| Precalculus | 18 months | MATH1 Code 350 |
| College Algebra & Trigonometry | 18 months | MATH1 Code 350 |
| Calculus I or higher | 5 years | MATH1 Code 350 |
You can view your Student Academic Progress Report (SAPR) in Student Link. (Be sure to generate a new SAPR if you believe information to be out of date.)
First you must take the AP test and have scores sent to the UA. Once credit shows up on your SAPR, you can request a math placement review to obtain updated placement. But if you need math placement prior to that, submit an unofficial copy of your score report to the Math Placement Office. You may also be able to obtain a preliminary math placement code by meeting with the Math Placement Coordinator to discuss how you think you did on your AP exams. Placement from AP scores is considered only for exams taken within the last year. Note that if you obtain a 3 or higher on AP Calculus AB or on AP Calculus BC, you might end up registering for MATH 129 or beyond—such registration does not require a placement code (the code assigned according to the following table is used only if you subsequently drop to a lower math course). Furthermore, your AP score might make you eligible for certain honors sections of our courses. Please contact the Math Placement Coordinator to discuss your options and complete your registration.
| Placement via AP | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| AP Test | Score | Expiration (for placement) | Placement |
| AP Math Statistics | 3 | 18 months | MATH1 Code 250 |
| AP Math Statistics | 4 or 5 | 18 months | MATH1 Code 250 |
| AP Calculus AB | 3 | 18 months | MATH1 Code 450 (but see text above) |
| AP Calculus AB | 4 or 5 | 18 months | MATH1 Code 450 (but see text above) |
| AP Calculus BC | 3 | 18 months | MATH1 Code 450 (but see text above) |
| AP Calculus AB subscore on BC Exam | 3 | 18 months | MATH1 Code 450 (but see text above) |
| AP Calculus BC | 4 or 5 | 18 months | MATH1 Code 450 (but see text above) |
You can view your Student Academic Progress Report (SAPR) in Student Link. (Be sure to generate a new SAPR if you believe information to be out of date.)
First you must take the CLEP test and have scores sent to the UA. Once credit shows up on your SAPR, you can request a math placement review to obtain updated placement. But if you need math placement prior to that, submit an unofficial copy of your score report to the Math Placement Office. Placement from CLEP scores is considered only for exams taken within the last year.
| Placement via CLEP | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CLEP Test | Score | Expiration (for placement) | Placement |
| College Algebra | at least 50 | 18 months | MATH1 Code 250 |
| Trigonometry | at least 50 | 18 months | MATH1 Code 230 |
| College Algebra & Trigonometry | at least 50 | 18 months | MATH1 Code 350 |
| Calculus with Elementary Functions | at least 50 | 18 months | MATH1 Code 350 |
You can view your Student Academic Progress Report (SAPR) in Student Link. (Be sure to generate a new SAPR if you believe information to be out of date.)
First you must take the IB test and have scores sent to the UA. Once credit shows up on your SAPR, you can request a math placement review to obtain updated placement. But if you need math placement prior to that, submit an unofficial copy of your score report to the Math Placement Office. Placement from IB scores is considered only for tests taken within the last year.
| Placement via IB | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IB Test | Score | Expiration (for placement) | Placement |
| Mathematics | at least 5 | 18 months | MATH1 Code 350 |