Placement and Testing Information
All entering degree-seeking students less than 21 years of age will be
assessed for prescribed course placement initially according to valid
ACT/SAT scores. Permissible scores are less than three years old.
Students with ACT subscores that are 18 or lower in the areas of
reading, English, or math are automatically placed in the courses in the
appropriate area. Students with mathematics or verbal SAT scores of 450
or less are placed in the appropriate areas, and students with SAT
composite scores of 890 or below are placed into the reading area. In an
effort to minimize the number of courses that must be taken, students
with prescribed course requirements in reading or English are required
to verify this placement by taking the COMPASS test prior to
registration. Students with only a math prescribed course requirement
have the option of challenging this placement with COMPASS testing. Many
students taking the COMPASS tests reduce or eliminate the number of
prescribed courses they are required to take. The results of the COMPASS
tests will never place students lower than their original ACT/SAT
placement.
Non-traditional students without ACT/SAT scores
are required to undergo assessment to determine appropriate placement in
the prescribed courses. Applicants who will be 21 years of age or older at
the time of admission are required to undergo University assessment for
each area or may elect to provide ACT/SAT scores that have been taken
within three years prior to the first day of the first term of enrollment.
For these purposes, University assessment includes: (1) a test in writing;
(2) a test in reading comprehension; and (3) a test in mathematics
covering prealgebra, elementary algebra and intermediate algebra.
The assessment exam is administered at MTSU through the
Academic
Assessment
Center
. Please call (615) 898-2568 for an appointment.
Additionally, transfer students who have not earned college-level,
algebra based math or English credits must undergo University assessment
in appropriate areas.
Students admitted as Adult Special who have not
completed the first college-level course in English or algebra-based
mathematics must undergo assessment in the appropriate subject area and
must complete courses indicated by test placement prior to enrolling in
the respective college-level English or mathematics course.
Adult Special students must also enroll in the prescribed courses
prior to enrolling in any college-level course that has the needed
prescribed course as a prerequisite.
Students admitted with high school English or
algebra deficiencies must undergo assessment based on valid ACT/SAT scores
or University testing for the purpose of meeting high school unit
admission criteria. GED
students are included in this category.
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