Mathematics Placement Codes and Their Interpretation

After students take the mathematics placement test, whether online or on paper, a code is generated and stored on the student's electronic record.  Advisers with SIS (Student Information System) access can look at the MATH PLT field on the TEST screen for the two-digit SIS code.  The basic correspondence between SIS codes and courses is this:
 

Students may take any course at or below their SIS code on this list.  For example, a student with a SIS code of 42 may take MATH 1260, but could also elect to take MATH 1220.  Note that MATH 1260 is a higher placement than MATH 1280:  a student with a SIS code of 41 can take MATH 1280, but not MATH 1260.

Please note that students who need to take Math 1310 or 1340, Calculus I, (this includes Integrated Mathematics majors, Middle Childhood Mathematics majors, and Biology, Psychology, and other BS science majors) should not take Math 1260, Basic Calculus, even if their placement code is 42. The courses that lead to 1310/1340 are 1120, 1220, 1280/1300, then 1310/1340. Students may start wherever they place on this list. Students with a placement code of 42 would start with Math 1280.

Mathematics placements for the courses listed above will be strictly enforced by the registration system.  Students who believe their mathematics placement is lower than it should be are allowed to re-take the placement exam one time.  They may do so by calling the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at 419-372-2636 to make an appointment to take the exam.  Note that the SIS code from the re-take will replace the original SIS code, even if it is lower.

Be aware that, depending on the program the student is following, the math course they should take may not be the highest course on the list that they may take.  For instance, students in gerontology or nursing are recommended to take MATH 1150 if their SIS code is 20 or higher.

A new placement test has been developed for MATH 2130

Students who took the placement exam between the Summer of 2002 and June 1, 2003 have had their placement exams rescored and will have the new placement codes for Math 1120 or Math 1220, if appropriate.  Students who took the placement exam before the Summer of 2002 may have one of the older SIS codes that are no longer being used.  Here is a list of some of them and what course(s) would be recommended based on their code:
 

Students with a SIS code of 31 or 21 might want to re-take the placement exam in order to try to improve their placement to MATH 1220 or MATH 1120, respectively.

If you have questions, please contact Dr. Craig Zirbel at 419-372-7466 or zirbel@bgsu.edu.