Student Guide to Math Placement
Most students are no longer required to complete a placement test to determine their math placement.
You do not need to complete a placement test to determine your math placement if:
- You graduated from a US high school (public, private, or home) within the last ten years
- You took the SAT or ACT test within the last ten years
- You took a placement test at another college within the last ten years
- You passed English or math at another college or university
- You have an associates degree or higher
For more information about whether you need to complete a placement test to determine your math placement, please see the Placement Testing Website.
Why am I being put into these math courses?
- All 58 of North Carolina’s community colleges are changing the way they support entering college students
- Students are now placed into new, accelerated classes
- These classes are proven to help students reach their goals faster
- We call this program RISE (Reinforced Instruction for Student Excellence)
How is this different?
- Most students take no placement tests
- Placement is based on unweighted high school GPA, within the last 10 years
- Students with a GPA of 2.8 or higher may enroll in the math course required for their degree without any other requirements
- Students with a GPA between a 2.2 – 2.799 may enroll in the math course required for their degree, but with a mandatory ‘co-requisite’ support course
- Students with a high school GPA less than a 2.2 will enroll in a mandatory one-semester ‘transition’ math course (MAT 003) and a student success strategies course (ACA 090)
Why is it better?
- One semester transition courses take the place of two or more semesters of the previous developmental courses
- Co-requisite courses let students get the extra support they need to be successful in college courses while saving time and money
- The new approach makes it faster and easier for students to get just the right amount of support they need when they need it
- This approach has been proven to be better and faster for students, but it is different and different can be confusing – asking the right questions is important!
What should I ask my advisor?
- Which math class do I need for my degree?
- Considering my course requirements, do I need to complete a transition math course and what are my options?
- Which courses count toward my degree?
- Who can I ask if I have more questions?