Math Placement and Prerequisites for Math Courses

Depending on a student’s program of study and level of skill in mathematics, he or she will take different math courses. Once a student has determined what math course(s) is/are required for the program of study, the student will need to determine if he or she meets the prerequisite or if additional coursework is required. The flow charts on the next page may help in planning. Where a student starts in the sequence will depend upon the prerequisites he or she meets and/or how he or she scores on the CLC Math Placement Test. Students should see an advisor early in their program to help plan their coursework.

 The important thing to remember about placement and prerequisites is that the prerequisite for each course has been developed with the sole purpose of ensuring that students have the skills they need to be successful in the courses they select.

CLC has two types of requirements that affect enrollment in math courses.

1) Basic Algebra Readiness: Incoming students will need to demonstrate Basic Algebra Readiness before enrolling in certain courses at CLC. These courses may be in math or other science or technology-related fields. Basic Algebra Readiness means that a student possesses a certain level of competency in arithmetic, which includes problem solving involving integers, fractions, ratios, decimals and percentages.

2) Prerequisites: Students must also demonstrate that they meet the mathematics prerequisite for the specific course they wish to take. The best way to identify the prerequisite for a specific math course is to read the course description. . Each course description includes the prerequisite requirements that apply.

 In general, keep these guidelines in mind:

•  For many math courses, the prerequisite may be met all or in part by achieving an acceptable score on the math portion of the SAT or ACT tests.

•  For many math courses, the prerequisite may be met by achieving an acceptable score on the CLC Math Placement Test.

Some college-level math courses require Geometry Proficiency. Geometry Proficiency may be demonstrated by any of the following:

1. Confirmed top one-third rank in high school class upon graduation (or current top one- third high school rank after at least three semesters) based on unweighted GPA.

2. Cumulative unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better after at least three semesters (applies only to CLC courses taken after May 2018).

3. American College Test (ACT), Math: Score of 17 or above.

4. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Math: Score of 490 or above for test taken March 2016 or later; score of 450 or above for test taken before March 2016. In the absence of an SAT score, a PSAT Math score of 490 or above may be used within three years of the PSAT test date.

5. In the absence of an SAT Math score, equivalent (not projected) PSAT scores may be used within three years of the PSAT test date.

6. Students who have previously earned a bachelor degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited, degree-granting U.S. college or university will be considered to be college ready in mathematics and can be assigned the student group Math Placement 53 (this is roughly equivalent to saying that they have completed the equivalent of a general education mathematics course).

   • Note 1: This will allow these students to take MTH 122 (College Algebra), MTH 222 (Business Statistics), or a general education mathematics course (MTH 140, 141, or 142 if needed) without meeting any other prerequisite.

   • Note 2: This would also meet the MTH prerequisite for other courses such as ACC 121, BIO 123, BIO 161, CHM 120, CHM 121, CIT 142, ECO 221, ECO 222, EET 130, MCS 141, and PHY 121

   • Previous college coursework may also fulfill prerequisites.

Contact information for questions/concerns: 

• Jon Sprague, Mathematics Department Co-Chair (jsprague@clcillinois.edu)

• Sarah Stashkiw, Director, P-20 Educational Partnerships (sstashkiw@clcillinois.edu)

 CLC Math Courses by Program of Study

The math course(s) you take can depend on your field of interest, program of study, intended major and potential transfer school. The following charts may help you determine the math course(s) you take. See the college catalog for the prerequisites required. It is strongly recommended that you see a College and Career Navigator or Academic Success Advisor to help you select the most appropriate course(s) to meet your academic goal.

 ACT MATH SCORES

For many math courses, the prerequisite may be met by achieving an acceptable score on the math section of the ACT test.

The pyramid is designed to show that students with a certain ACT Math Section score may enroll in courses at or below the indicated score level. See a College and Career Navigator or an Academic Success Advisor to help determine which math course is appropriate for your program of study.

 SAT MATH SCORES (SAT STARTING IN MARCH 2016)

For many math courses, the prerequisite may be met by achieving an acceptable score on the math section of the SAT test.

The pyramid is designed to show that students with a certain SAT Math Section score may enroll in courses at or below the indicated score level. See a College and Career Navigator or an Academic Success Advisor to help determine which math course is appropriate for your program of study.