Facebook pixel Math Placement

Math Placement

St. Louis Community College uses multiple measures for placing students into their initial courses including previous course work, high school GPA and standardized test scores. Placement testing may be required prior to advisement and registration.

STLCC determines math placement based on 6 levels.

  1. Level 1 is recommended (not required) for students who demonstrate need to enroll in additional math support.
  2. All students have the option to start at Level 2.
  3. Students who meet specific criteria may opt for the math classes available at Level 3.
  4. Level 4 is reserved for students who place into Precalculus Algebra.
  5. Level 5 is reserved for students who place into Pre-Calculus, Survey of Calculus, or Trigonometry.
  6. Level 6 is reserved for students who place into Analytic Geometry & Calculus I.
When reviewing the levels below, you will see the question “Are you a STEM student?” A STEM student is a student pursuing a major or career in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math field.
Be sure to learn about the courses required for your major in our Catalog before reviewing placement. Your student success advisor, program coordinator, or admissions representative  should be able to assist you with this, if needed.

Check out the criteria for each level below!

Level 1

MTH 020: Pre-Algebra / or / Longbow Program (Free)

 

Are you a STEM Student?

YES: You qualify to take MTH 140S (Intermediate Algebra with Support); however, it is recommended that you either take MTH 020: Pre-Algebra or enroll in the Longbow program to ensure you are adequately prepared for college-level coursework. 

NO: You qualify to take MTH 161S, MTH 180S, or MTH 140S; however, it is recommended that you either take MTH 020: Pre-Algebra or enroll in the Longbow program to ensure you are adequately prepared for college-level coursework. 


Although there are no pre-requisites for Level 1, it is recommended that students who enroll in MTH 020 or Longbow meet one of the criteria below:


High School GPA Below 2.60
ACT Math Sub-Score Below 17

Math Placement Test Score
**Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics Score

 Below 244

Math Placement Test Score
**Arithmetic Score

 200 - 250
SAT Math Score Below 460

 

Level 2

MTH 180S: Intro to Statistics with Support / or / MTH 161S: Quantitative Reasoning With Support / or / MTH 140S: Intermediate Algebra With Support / or / MTH 108: Elementary Applied Math

 

Are you a STEM Student?

YES: Your first math class should probably be MTH 140S: Intermediate Algebra with Support. If it has been a while since you passed a math class, consider taking MTH 020: Pre-Algebra or enrolling in the Longbow program.

NO: Your first math class should probably be either MTH 180S : Introductory Statistics with Support or MTH 161S: Quantitative Reasoning with Support.  You may also take MTH 140S:  Intermediate Algebra with Support.  If it has been a while since you passed a math class, consider taking MTH 020: Pre-Algebra or enrolling in the Longbow program.

Although there are no pre-requisites for Level 2, it is recommended that students who enroll in MTH 180S, MTH 161S, MTH 140S, or MTH 108 meet one of the criteria below:

 

High School GPA Below 3.0
ACT Math Sub-Score Below 19

Math Placement Test Score
**Must be in Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics

 244 - 263
SAT Math Score Below 500
HiSet Score Below 12
High School Math Class Algebra II or below with grade of C or higher in the last 2 years

 

Level 3

MTH 180: Intro to Statistics / or / MTH 161: Quantitative Reasoning / or / MTH 160S: Precalculus Algebra With Support / or / MTH 140: Intermediate Algebra



Are you a STEM Student? 

YES: Your first math class should probably be MTH 160S: Precalculus Algebra With Support. If it has been a while since you passed a math class, consider taking MTH 140S: Intermediate Algebra With Support.

NO: Your first math class should probably be either MTH 180: Introductory Statistics or MTH 161: Quantitative Reasoning.  You may also take MTH 160S: Precalculus Algebra with Support.  If it has been a while since you passed a math class, consider taking the 5 credit version (MTH 161S or MTH 180S) with extra support built in.


Please consider enrolling for MTH 140, MTH 160S, MTH 161, or MTH 180 if you meet one of the criteria below. 

High School GPA 3.0 or Higher
ACT Math Sub-Score 19 - 21

Math Placement Test Score
**Must be in Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics

 264 - 272
SAT Math Score 500 - 530
HiSet Score 12 - 14
High School Math Class Algebra II with grade of B or higher in the last 3 years

 

Level 4

MTH 160: Precalculus Algebra

 

Are you a STEM Student?

YES: Your first math class should probably be MTH 160: Precalculus Algebra. If it has been a while since you passed a math class, consider taking the 5 credit version (MTH 160S) with extra support built in.

NO: Your first math class should probably be either MTH 180: Introductory Statistics or MTH 161: Quantitative Reasoning.  You may also take MTH 160: Precalculus Algebra.  If it has been a while since you passed a math class, you may consider taking the 5 credit version (MTH 161S, MTH 180S, or MTH 160S) with extra support built in.


Please consider enrolling for MTH 160 if you meet one of the criteria below.

ACT Math Sub-Score 22 - 25

Math Placement Test Score
**Must be in Advanced Algebra and Functions

 231 - 245
SAT Math Score 540 - 600
HiSet Score 15 - 20
High School Math Class Algebra II with grade of B or higher in the last 12 months

 

Level 5

MTH 186: Survey of Calculus / or / MTH 185: Precalculus / or / MTH 170: Trigonometry

You may take any math course in levels 1-5 if you meet one of the criteria below:

ACT Math Sub-Score 26 - 29

Math Placement Test Score
**Must be in Advanced Algebra and Functions

 246 - 275
SAT Math Score 610 - 680
High School Math Class Precalculus with grade of B or higher in the last 12 months

 

Level 6


MTH 210: Analytic Geometry & Calculus 1


You may take any math course in levels 1-6 if you meet one of the criteria below:

 

ACT Math Sub-Score 30 or Higher

Math Placement Test Score
**Must be in Advanced Algebra and Functions

 276 or Higher
SAT Math Score 690 or Higher
High School Math Class Calculus with grade of B or higher in the last 12 months

 

Please note that all test scores are valid for 3 years.

Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment / Early College students using high school GPA for placement should have more than one measure available to allow the students and the counselors to make informed choices about their placement.

Dual Enrollment / Early College students may not enroll in developmental coursework without express permission from their high school liaison and parent to do so.

Reading proficiency is required for all math classes 100-level or higher.

 
Back to top