Course Placement Information

About Course Placement

Appropriate course placement plays a vital role in Tennessee Tech's commitment to students' success. Part of course advisement and registration includes academic advisors evaluating students' preparedness levels to meet the prerequisites for reading, writing, and/or math centric courses. This is achieved through various standardized testing (e.g., ACT, SAT), Advanced Placement scores, Dual Enrollment credit earned, or other credit awarded by examination.

Since Tennessee Tech is a test-optional university (does not require ACT or SAT scores to be admitted to the university), we have developed pathways with guidance from our Math and English Departments along with the Curriculum and Instruction Department to ensure students are prepared for the coursework related to their program of study.


Below is additional information related to course placement for reading, writing, and math.

Course Placement based on Reading, Writing, and Math Preparedness

Course Placement

The Math, Reading, and Writing tabs above contain course placement information based on test/assessment scores. This information is used in addition to the student's program of study (major) curriculum.

 
About the ACCUPLACER Assessment

In addition to our course placement strategy for students provided on each tab above, prospective and new students have the ability to complete the ACCUPLACER assessment. This tool helps evaluate students' skills in reading, writing, and math to assist their academic advisor with course placement. Students may take/retake ACCUPLACER to challenge their course placement(s) before their orientation session, but no later than the start of their first semester.

Tennessee Tech's Testing and Learning Center offers the ACCUPLACER. The assessment may be taken on our main campus in Cookeville, TN or our Testing and Learning Center can assist students with completing the assessment at another location and have the scores sent to us.

For more information about registering and paying for the ACCUPLACER, please visit our Testing and Learning Center's schedule an exam site. If you have questions about registering for the ACCUPLACER or completing somewhere other than Tech's campus, email tlc@tntech.edu.

More Information on Scheduling the ACCUPLACER

Math Placement

ACT
Math*
SAT
Math*
ACCUPLACER
QAS | AAF
DSPM Score Course Placement
<15 <380 224 | N/A 1 Receive tutoring and retest.
15-16 380-450 225-237 | N/A 2
  • L section MATH 1010 - Math for General Studies
  • L section MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics
  • L section MATH 1710 - Pre-calculus Algebra
17-18 460-500 238-249 | N/A 3
  • L section MATH 1010 - Math for General Studies
  • L section MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics
  • L section MATH 1710 - Pre-calculus Algebra
SAILS (is equivalent to ACT 19; may need course permit) N/A N/A 4
  • MATH 1010 - Math for General Studies
  • MATH 1410 - Number Concepts for Teachers
  • MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics
  • MATH 1710 - Pre-calculus Algebra
19-21 510 250-300 | N/A 4
  • MATH 1010 - Math for General Studies
  • MATH 1410 - Number Concepts for Teachers
  • MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics
  • MATH 1710 - Pre-calculus Algebra
SAILS+ N/A N/A N/A MATH 1720 - Pre-calculus Trigonometry
22-24 540-580 N/A | 231-250 N/A MATH 1710 - Pre-calculus Algebra AND MATH 1720 - Pre-Calculus
25-26 590-620 N/A | 251-259 N/A
  • MATH 1730 - Pre-calculus Mathematics
  • MATH 1830 - Applied Calculus
  • MATH 1845 - Technical Calculus
27+ 630+ N/A | 260-300 N/A
  • MATH 1910 - Calculus I
  • MATH 1904 - Extended Calculus IA

*Note: ACT or SAT math score must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. ACT Code: 4012 | SAT Code: 1804

 
Students who do not submit test scores or complete the ACCUPLACER...
3.59 or Below High School GPA Student may sign up for one of courses' "L" sections outlined below:
  • L section MATH 1010 - Math for General Studies
  • L section MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics
  • L section MATH 1710 - Pre-calculus Algebra
3.60 or Higher High School GPA Is considered equivalent to 19 ACT...
  • MATH 1010 - Math for General Studies
  • MATH 1410 - Number Concepts for Teachers
  • MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics
  • MATH 1630 - Finite Mathematics
  • MATH 1710 - Pre-calculus Algebra

Reading Placement

ACCUPLACER Reading ACT
Reading*
SAT
Reading & Writing*
High School GPA TOEFL (IBT) IELTS DSPR Score Course Placement
<205 <13 <400 - <61 <6.0 1 International students only take ESL 1010. Otherwise, enroll in READ 1150 - College Reading Advancement**
205-222 13-14 400-430 - 61-69 - 1 International students take ESL 1020. Otherwise, enroll in READ 1150 - College Reading Advancement**
223-249 15-17 440-490 3.19 or below 70-78 6.0 2 Enroll in READ 1150 - College Reading Advancement**
>249 ≥18 >490 3.2 or above >78 >6.0 4 No reading course required

*Note: ACT reading or SAT reading & writing score must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. ACT Code: 4012 | SAT Code: 1804

**Students enrolled in READ 1150 - College Reading Advancement may only take one reading-intensive class (HIST 2010, HIST 2020, PHIL 1030, or POLS 1100) at the same time.

Writing Placement

ACCUPLACER Writing
Score
ACT
English Subscore
SAT
Reading & Writing
TOEFL
(IBT)
IELTS DSPW Score Course Placement
<205 <13 <400 <61 <6.0 1 International students take ESL 1010 - English as a Second Language; others receive tutoring and retest
205-222 13-14 400-430 61-69 - 1 International students take ESL 1020 English as a Second Language; others receive tutoring and retest
223-249 15-17 440-490 70-78 6.0 2 Take ENGL 1010L - English Composition I
>249 >17 >490 >78 >6.0 4 ENGL 1010 - English Composition I

*Note: ACT reading or SAT reading & writing score must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. ACT Code: 4012 | SAT Code: 1804

 
Students who do not submit test scores or complete the ACCUPLACER...
3.59 or Below High School GPA Placed in ENGL 1010L - English Composition I
3.60 or Higher High School GPA Placed in ENGL 1010 - English Composition I

About the ACCUPLACER Assessment

Tennessee Tech's Testing and Learning Center offers the ACCUPLACER. The assessment may be taken on our main campus in Cookeville, TN or our Testing and Learning Center can assist students with completing the assessment at another location and have the scores sent to us.

For more information about registering and paying for the ACCUPLACER, please visit our Testing and Learning Center's schedule an exam site. If you have questions about registering for the ACCUPLACER or completing somewhere other than Tech's campus, email tlc@tntech.edu.

 
Test Prep Resources and Information

ACCUPLACER: for practice and sample questions

Test-Guide: offers free practice tests for ACCUPLACER and other exams

Test Prep Review: contains ACCUPLACER practice test 

Tech's Tutoring Center: Contact via email at tutoring@tntech.edu for ACCUPLACER tutoring assistance.