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.
Math Placement
| ACT Math* |
SAT Math* |
ACCUPLACER QAS | AAF |
DSPM Score | Course Placement |
| <16 | <450 | ≤237 | N/A | <2 | |
| 17-18 | 460-500 | 238-249 | N/A | 3 | |
| SAILS (is equivalent to ACT 19; may need course permit) | N/A | N/A | 4 |
|
| 19-21 | 510-530 | 250-300 | N/A | 4 |
|
| SAILS+ | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|
| 22-24 | 540-580 | N/A | 231-250 | N/A |
|
| 25-26 | 590-620 | N/A | 251-259 | N/A |
|
| 27+ | 630+ | N/A | 260-300 | N/A |
|
*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: |
| 3.60 or Higher High School GPA | Is considered equivalent to 19 ACT...
|
Reading Placement
| ACCUPLACER Reading | ACT Reading* |
SAT Reading & Writing* |
High School GPA | TOEFL (IBT) | Pearson Test of English (PTE) | Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) | Duolingo English Test (DET) | TOEIC | IELTS | DSPR Score | Course Placement |
| <205 | <13 | <400 | - | <61 | 43-52 | B1 | ≤85 | ≤580 | <6.0 | 1 | International students enroll in ESL 1010. Domestic students enroll in READ 1150. |
| 205-222 | 13-14 | 400-430 | - | 61-69 | 52-58 | B1 | 86-95 | 585-630 | - | 1 | International students enroll in ESL 1020. Domestic students enroll in READ 1150. |
| 223-249 | 15-17 | 440-490 | 3.19 or below | 70-78 | 59-63 | B2 | 96-104 | 635-680 | 6.0 | 2 | Enroll in READ 1150. |
| >249 | ≥18 | >490 | 3.2 or above | >78 | 64-90 | C1, C2 | >105 | >685 | >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
Writing Placement
| ACCUPLACER Writing Score |
ACT English Subscore |
SAT Reading & Writing |
TOEFL (IBT) |
IELTS | DSPW Score | ESL Course Grade | Course Placement |
| <205 | <13 | <400 | <61 | <6.0 | 1 | - | International students enroll in ESL 1010. Domestic students receive tutoring and retest. |
| 205-222 | 13-14 | 400-430 | 61-69 | - | 1 | "C" or higher in ESL 1010 | International students enroll in ESL 1020. Domestic students receive tutoring and retest. |
| 223-249 | 15-17 | 440-490 | 70-78 | 6.0 | 2 | "C" in ESL 1020 | Take ENGL 1010L** - English Composition I |
| >249 | >17 | >490 | >78 | >6.0 | 4 | "B" or higher in ESL 1020 | 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.