Math Placement Exam
You can be placed into an appropriate math course based on either your ACT or SAT math subscore or your performance on our mathematics placement exam. If the placements determined by the subscore and the exam are different, you may choose either one after consulting with an advisor.
Who should take the exam?
You are not required to take the math placement exam, but we strongly encourage you to take it if:
- You have scored a 21 or lower on the ACT math section or a 540 or lower on the SAT math section.
- You do not have ACT or SAT scores.
- You are interested in pursuing a major in which high levels of math are required, such as science or health fields.
- You are not satisfied with your placement based on ACT or SAT scores or are unsure of your skills in mathematics.
You do not need to take the math placement exam if:
- You are transferring credit for an equivalent to MTH 103 or higher as your placement in a math course will begin with the next highest appropriate course.
- You are satisfied with your placement determined by your ACT or SAT scores. (See the section titled "Placement using math subscores" below.)
This exam should be completed 7 days prior to your SOAR session.
View details about the math placement exam
Scheduling an exam
The math placement exam is offered at no cost online through BrightSpace, our learning management system. Schedule to take the exam using the steps below.
Step 1
Visit the Schedule an Exam page.
Step 2
Read the page's instructions, then select the "Exam Registration for Missouri State University Students" link at the bottom of the page.
You MUST have a Missouri State username and password to register for and take the exam. NOTE: Greenwood students should use the GUEST option (the second link at the bottom of the page).
Step 3
Complete the registration form, including selecting an appointment date/time.
IMPORTANT: if you are taking the placement exam remotely, you can take the exam at any time after you have received a confirmation of your appointment.
If you are talking the exam at the Testing Center on the Missouri State campus, you will come in at the date and time of your appointment.
Step 4
Complete the exam on BrightSpace. Your results will be reported to the Mathematics department.
Exam format
The exam has two parts. Part 1 assesses your readiness for the following courses:
- MTH 130: Contemporary Math
- MTH 134: Algebraic Reasoning and Modeling
- MTH 136: Precalculus I
Part 2 assesses your readiness for the following courses:
- MTH 137: Precalculus II
- MTH 138: Precalculus Mathematics
- MTH 261: Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
- MTH 287: Computational Calculus I
You are encouraged to complete the entire test to determine your eligibility for higher math courses. However, you can attempt only Part 1 during the first 30 minutes, if you wish to be eligible only for algebraic courses.
There is no charge for the math placement exam. You are not allowed to use calculators for the exam. The test can only be taken once.
Placement using math subscores
Use the chart below to determine which courses you are eligible for based on your ACT or SAT math subscore.
Titles and descriptions of the MTH courses listed here can be found on the mathematics department courses page.
Placement Using ACT Math Sub score
| Score | Course Eligibility |
|---|---|
| ACT Math ≥ 28 | MTH 340, 314, 287, 261, 181, 138, 137, 136, 134, 130, 103, 101 |
| ACT Math ≥ 27 | MTH 340, 287, 215, 181, 138, 137, 136, 134, 130, 103, 101 |
| ACT Math ≥ 26 | MTH 287, 181, 138, 137, 136, 134, 130, 103, 101 |
| ACT Math ≥ 25 | MTH 138, 137, 136, 134, 130, 103, 101 |
| ACT Math ≥ 22 | MTH 136, 134, 130, 103, 101 |
| ACT Math ≥ 20 | MTH 103, 101 |
| ACT Math ≤ 19 | MTH 101 |
Placement Using SAT Math Sub score
| Score | Course Eligibility |
|---|---|
| SAT Math ≥ 660 | MTH 340, 314, 287, 261, 181, 138, 137, 136, 134, 130, 103, 101 |
| SAT Math ≥ 640 | MTH 340, 287, 215, 181, 138, 137, 136, 134, 130, 103, 101 |
| SAT Math ≥ 620 | MTH 287, 181, 138, 137, 136, 134, 130, 103, 101 |
| SAT Math ≥ 600 | MTH 138, 137, 136, 134, 130, 103, 101 |
| SAT Math ≥ 570 | MTH 136, 134, 130, 103, 101 |
| SAT Math ≥ 550 | MTH 130, 103, 101 |
| SAT Math ≥ 510 | MTH 103, 101 |
| SAT Math ≤ 500 | MTH 101 |
Submitting your ACT or SAT scores
If Missouri State has not received your ACT or SAT scores or if you have obtained new scores since your admission to the University, please request that they be sent to our office of admissions. Consult the ACT website or the SAT website for more information.