Math Placement
Registration:
Anyone needing to schedule a Math COMPASS or the UofL Math Challenge must contact our office at 852-6606 for available times. Once scheduled, every effort should be made to keep the appointment to avoid a $10 rescheduling fee.
Placement exams are also taken during Freshman Orientation. Scores are available when you meet with your academic advisor.
On your scheduled exam date, report to our office in Davidson Hall, Room 310. You will need to present a photo ID. Calculators are allowed, but not necessary. We will not supply a calculator for you. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
You may view sample COMPASS math questions at act.org. Students are strongly encouraged to test their current mathematice skills now by attempting the Kentucky Early Mathematics Testing Program (KEMPT) math assessment. This test is available for free if you visit the KEMPT website.
Do You Need a Math Placement?
All students should verify their program's Mathematics course requirements with an academic advisor from the appropriate department.
Initial Mathematics course placement is based on the student's highest ACT or SAT mathematics sub-score as listed in the table below. Students with a sub-score less than the required sub-score to place into their desired math class should take a placement exam. Students scoring 19 or above in Math are guaranteed placement in a credit bearing course.
- Students with an ACT sub-score of 0-18 (SAT 200-450) MUST take the COMPASS exam. This exam will place the student in MT 055, 065, 080, or a credit-bearing Mathematics course.
- Students with an ACT sub-score of at least 19 (SAT at least 460), but less than the score required for their desired math class (see chart below), should take the U of L Math Placement Exam.
- Engineering students with an ACT sub-score of at least 23 (SAT at least 540) do not take the U of L Math Placement Exam.
- Download a chart of prerequisites (PDF) for Mathematics courses.
|
Mathematics Course |
Math Sub-score Needed for Initial Placement |
Placement Test for Possible Placement into a higher Math Course | |
| ACT | SAT I | ||
| MT 055, 065, 080 | 0 - 18 | 200 - 450 | Must take Math COMPASS exam |
| MT 080 | 19 | 460 - 470 | Take U of L Math Placement Exam |
| Math 105 Supplemented Section (40) | 19 | 460 - 470 | Take U of L Math Placement Exam |
| Math 105 Regular Sections | 20 - 36 | 480 - 800 | Take U of L Math Placement Exam |
| Math 111 Supplemented Sections (40-49) | 21 - 22 | 500 - 530 | Take U of L Math Placement Exam |
| Math 151 | 21 - 36 | 500 - 800 | Take U of L Math Placement Exam |
| Math 107, 109, 111(Regular Sections), or 112 | 23 - 36 | 540 - 800 | Take U of L Math Placement Exam |
| Math 180 or 190 | 25 - 36 | 580 - 800 | May take a COMPASS Calculus Placement Exam |
| Math 205 | 27 - 36 | 610 - 800 | |
- Most Degrees in the Sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, BS in Biology or Psychology), a BA in Economics, a degree in CIS, and all degrees in Engineering require Calculus I (Math 205 or EAC 101)
- BS in Political Science requires Math 107 Finite Math or Math 180; BA in Biology requires Math 180 or 205.
- Degrees in Business other than in CIS require Mathematics 111, College Algebra; students in Nursing and Pre-Engineering usually take this course too.
- The BS in Early Elementary Education requires Mathematics 151 and 152.
- Other degrees allow students to fulfill the requirement with Mathematics 105. These degrees include:
All degrees in the Humanities division of A&S, or in the School of Music,
All degrees in the College of Education and Human Development other than the BS programs leading to teacher certification.
All degrees in the Social Sciences division of A&S other than those listed above.
Some students seeking these degrees may qualify for and should be encouraged to take a more challenging course. - To remove the possibility of taking an unnecessary course, undecided students are encouraged to use Math 111 for the requirement rather than Math 105. Successful completion of Math 105 does not qualify a student for a higher Mathematics course.

