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.

Level 1 is recommended (not required) for students who demonstrate need to enroll in additional math support.
All students have the option to start at Level 2.
Students who meet specific criteria may opt for the math classes available at Level 3.
Level 4 is reserved for students who place into Precalculus Algebra.
Level 5 is reserved for students who place into Pre-Calculus, Survey of Calculus, or Trigonometry.
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 / College Prep (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 College Prep 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 College Prep 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 College Prep 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 College Prep 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 College Prep 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	264-300
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.

Multiple Measures/High School GPA for Placement

Where dual credit/enrollment students do not possess a seven-semester GPA, the GPA cannot be used as a stand-alone measure for placement. STLCC will allow the student to use the metric that places him/her into the highest level based on STLCC placement charts, provided that more than one measure is available for review to allow the student, parent/guardian, and high school liaison to make informed decisions about their placement.

Dual enrollment students who do not meet the requirements for placement into college-level courses should not be enrolled in 000-level coursework. Students who wish to enroll in math with support coursework (MTH S courses) may only do so if they have express permission on that semester’s dual enrollment authorization form from their high school liaison and parent or guardian.

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