Math Skills and Placement

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Saint Louis University uses several methods to ensure students are placed in the appropriate level.

AP Calculus Test

• A score of 4 or 5 on the Calculus AB test gives credit for MATH 1510: Calculus I and places the student in MATH 1520: Calculus II.
• A score of 4 or 5 on the Calculus BC test gives credit for MATH 1520: Calculus I and MATH 1520: Calculus II, and places the student in MATH 2530: Calculus III or any other class that has MATH 1510 or MATH 1520 as a prerequisite.

Math-Index

If you have an ACT or SAT score on record, as well as a high school GPA, the department can compute your Math-Index. The Math-Index is our most commonly used placement tool, and is based on five years of data.

The recommended placements depend on your planned curriculum. We differentiate between students who only need one course and those who need to take a sequence. Many students just need to take one course to satisfy the core requirement for mathematics and their placement criteria are more flexible.

Students in math-intensive programs need to take several mathematics courses over their course of study. These students are advised to start conservatively with their placement.

If you need to take multiple math courses, it’s a good idea to make sure you get As and Bs in those early classes. Our data show that a student with a C only has a 50 percent chance of passing the next course.

Non-math Intensive Programs

Math Intensive Programs

Online Skill Assessment Tests

The department offers online tests for students who do not have a Math-Index or those who would like to move forward in their program.

An online skills assessment may be appropriate for international or transfer students who do not always have an ACT or SAT or freshmen students who come in with a lower Math-Index and math placement recommendation than they feel is appropriate.

There are three skill assessment tests. A passing score is 70 percent. Students do not receive course credit upon passing the test; they are purely for placement purposes.

Intermediate Algebra Skills Assessment Test

This test is devised to check if students have mastered the material from MATH 0260: Intermediate Algebra. A passing score of 70 percent or more results in the recommendation that students take a course that has MATH 0260 as a prerequisite. Those courses include:

• STAT 1100: Introduction to Statistics
• MATH 1200: College Algebra
• MATH 1220: Finite Mathematics

College Algebra Skills Assessment Test

This test is devised to check if students have mastered the material from MATH 1200: College Algebra. A passing score of 70 percent or more results in the recommendation that students take a course that has MATH 1200 as a prerequisite. Those courses include:

• MATH 1300: Statistics with Computers
• MATH 1320: Survey of Calculus
• MATH 1400: Pre-calculus

Pre-calculus Skills Assessment Test

This test is devised to check if students have mastered the material from MATH 1400: Pre-calculus. A passing score of 70 percent or more results in the recommendation that students take a course that has MATH 1400 as a prerequisite. Those courses include:

• MATH 1510: Calculus I