Idaho State University

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Prospective Students — Placement Test

Students enrolling in an English 101 or 102 or any math course will need to first place into these courses. Placement can be satisfied with either the prerequisite course, an ACT/SAT, or COMPASS test score. Ask your high school counselor about taking the Compass test.

Students may also take the COMPASS test on any ISU campus or at an ISU center for a $5 sitting fee, per test, for English and math. Students must bring with them- 1) photo identification and 2) social security number or ISU ID number. Please call for testing hours. The locations to take the test are:

ISU English Placement

• Students with an ACT English score below 18 register for ENGL 90.
• Students with an ACT English score of 18-24 or who have passed ENGL 90 register for ENGL 101.
• Students with an ACT English score of 25-27 or who have received 3 ENGL 101-equivalent credits and register for ENGL 102.

For questions regarding COMPASS (placement test) scores, SAT scores, or ACT scores over 27, contact the Department of English and Philosophy: (208) 282-2478.

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ISU Math Placement

All mathematics courses except MATH 015 have prerequisites. Students place into a course by completing the prerequisite course(s) with a grade of C- or better or by achieving appropriate scores on the math portion of the ACT/ SAT exam or Compass mathematics placement exam.

Early College students who wish to take a math course may enroll in a college-level course by submitting passing placement scores to the Early College Program or the Registrar’s Office. Students should review the math requirements for any majors they are considering at ISU or elsewhere. Only certain mathematics courses will meet Goal 3 at ISU or general education mathematics at other colleges and universities. When considering enrollment in a math course, before you sign up, we recommend that you speak with your instructor, the Early College Program or advisors at other universities or colleges you are considering.

Students should plan their mathematics coursework according to their intended majors. Some majors, for instance, require MATH 253, and others require MATH 160. Students who will take calculus must be especially careful to determine whether MATH 160, Brief Calculus, or MATH 170, Calculus I, is appropriate. Taking one after the other counts as a repeat and provides no further credit toward graduation.

MATH Course*	Completion of MATH Course	ACT	SAT	Compass
015	No prerequisite	---	---	---
025	015	12	250	46 on Prealgebra (MAPL 1)
108	025	18	430	40 on Algebra (MAPL 2)
123, 127	025	19	460	45 on Algebra (MAPL 2)
130, 143, 147, 253	108	23	540	61 on Algebra (MAPL 2)
144, 157, 160, 230	143	27	620	51 on College Algebra (MAPL 3)
170	144 or 147	29	650	51 on Trigonometry (MAPL 4)

* Goal 3 courses are bold

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