English & Math Course Placement

Undergraduate Assessment for Course Placement

To improve the accuracy of the course placement processes, MSUM is using multiple assessments to place students, rather than a single high-stakes test. Measurements include ACT, SAT, MCA, High school GPA and Accuplacer. This process will allow for accurate placement of students into courses that meet their level of academic abilities.

These course placements are not just based on your ACT/SAT score(s). These placements can range from developmental coursework to prepare you for classes required for your major, to placement directly into higher level courses. If you have more questions, please contact us.

  • English Placement

    Printable version of the English Placement Chart

    ACT/SAT English Sub-score or Accuplacer English Score

    • ACT/SAT/Accuplacer English placement scores are valid for five years.

    English & Reading Placement Information

    English Placement
    If these requirements are met:
    The student qualifies to begin at the selected, ✔, or preceding ENGLISH course(s).
    ENGL 099 ENGL 101 ENGL 201
    Any of the following:
    ACT ≤ 17
    SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing < 480
    Next Generation Accuplacer (NGA) Reading ≤ 249
    Accuplacer Classic Reading Comprehension < 78
    ENGL 099
    ✔
    ENGL 101
    ENGL 201
    Any of the following:
    ACT English ≥ 18
    OR
    NGA Reading ≥ 250
    OR
    SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing ≥ 480
    OR
    Accuplacer Classic Reading Comprehension ≥ 78
    OR
    HS GPA of ≥ 2.6
    OR
    HS GPA of 2.5 or above and one of the following:
    • ACT English 16-17
    • SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 440-479
    • Next Generation Accuplacer (NGA) Reading 236-249
    ENGL 099
    ENGL 101
    ✔
    ENGL 201
    ACT English ≥ 26
    OR
    SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing ≥ 600
    ENGL 099
     
    ENGL 101
    ✔
    ENGL 201
    ✔
    ESL Accuplacer Scoring: Combined Reading Skills, Language Usage, and Sentence Meaning ≥ 330
    ENGL 099
     
    ENGL 101
    ✔
    ENGL 201
     
    ESL Accuplacer Scoring: Combined Reading Skills, Language Usage, and Sentence Meaning scores < 330
    ENGL 099
    ✔
    ENGL 101
     
    ENGL 201
     

    *All scores are valid for 5 years.

    *Two sets of Accuplacer placement scores are available: Classic Reading Comprehension and Next Generation Accuplacer (NGA) Reading.

  • Math Placement

    Printable version of the Math Placement Table and Flowchart

    The following table will help you determine which math course you are ready for based on your test scores and other placement information. Note that the table gives many options for placement for each score. It is important that you also speak with your advisor to make sure that you are taking the math course that is most appropriate for your major. After the table you will find a flow chart that contains the beginning courses in the math department and explains how one course leads to another, so that you can make a plan for completing the math requirements for your major.

    • ACT, MCA and SAT scores are valid for 5 years.
    • AccuPlacer scores are valid for 2 years.
    Mathematics Placement
    If these requirements are met:
    ✔ indicates the student qualifies to begin at the selected MATH course(s).
    090A 095 105 110 134 099 127L 142 143 210 229 234 261
    QAS < 255
    090A
    ✔
    095
    ✔
    105
    ✔
    110
    ✔
    134
    ✔
    099
    127L
    142
     
    143
     
    210
     
    229
     
    234
     
    261
    ACT Math ≥ 19
    OR
    QAS ≥ 255
    OR
    AAF 234 ≥
    OR
    SAT Math ≥ 510
    OR
    MCA ≥ 1146
    090A
    ✔
    095
    ✔
    105
    ✔
    110
    ✔
    134
    ✔
    099
    ✔
    127L
    142
     
    143
     
    210
     
    229
     
    234
     
    261
    ACT Math ≥ 22
    OR
    SAT ≥ 530
    OR
    MCA ≥ 1158
    OR
    AAF ≥ 250
    OR
    HS GPA ≥ 2.8
    OR
    HS GPA ≥ 2.7 and one of the following
    • ACT Math 20-21
      OR
    • AAF ≥ 236
      OR
    • MCA ≥ 1152
      OR
    • SAT Math ≥ 520
    090A
    ✔
    095
    ✔
    105
    ✔
    110
    ✔
    134
    ✔
    099
    ✔
    127L
    ✔
    142
     
    143
     
    210
     
    229
     
    234
     
    261
    ACT Math ≥ 23
    OR
    SAT MATH ≥ 560
    090A
    ✔
    095
    ✔
    105
    ✔
    110
    ✔
    134
    ✔
    099
    ✔
    127L
    ✔
    142
     
    143
     
    210
     
    229
     
    234
     
    261
    ACT Math ≥ 24
    OR
    AAF ≥ 255
    OR
    SAT ≥ Math 580
    090A
    ✔
    095
    ✔
    105
    ✔
    110
    ✔
    134
    ✔
    099
    ✔
    127L
    ✔
    142
    ✔
    143
    ✔
    210
    ✔
    229
    ✔
    234
    ✔
    261
    ✔

    Next Generation AccuPlacer (NGA): Arithmetic (NAR), Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, Statistics (QAS), Advanced Algebra and Functions (AAF)

    ACT Math and SAT Math Scores Comparison: ACT 19 = SAT 510 ; ACT 20= SAT 520; ACT 21 = SAT 530, ACT 22 = SAT 540 ; ACT 23 = SAT 560 ; ACT 24 = SAT 580.

    ACT, MCA and SAT scores are valid for 5 years. AccuPlacer scores are valid for 2 years.

    Math placement chart updated February 2026

    Math Placement Flowchart

    This flowchart illustrates math paths through developmental and LASC IV mathematics courses.

    • *A corequisite is available to complete a support course which includes applicable developmental math topics and a college level course in one semester.
    • ** A student may enroll concurrently in MATH 127 and MATH 143 if they completed MATH 099 with a grade of B- or better, or have ACT Math ≥ 22 or SAT ≥ 530 or IA ≥ 60 or AAF ≥ 250.

    Printable version of the Math Placement Table and Flowchart

    Math Placement Flowchart Image Link

    Most courses have a minimum grade requirement to qualify as a prerequisite for the next course.