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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
<16 <450 ≤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
19-21 510-530 250-300 | 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 1710 - Pre-Calculus Algebra
  • AND/OR MATH 1720 - Pre-Calculus Trigonometry
22-24 540-580 N/A | 231-250 N/A
  • MATH 1710 - Pre-calculus Algebra
  • AND/OR MATH 1720 - Pre-Calculus Trigonometry
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 1710 - Pre-calculus Algebra
 
**Mathematics L Sections - The Department of Mathematics offers designated Learning Support Sections of Math for General Studies (MATH 1010), Pre-Calculus (MATH 1710), and Elementary Probability and Statistics (MATH 1530) for students whose ACT Math scores are 18 or lower. These sections, designated as L sections, are given an extra academic hour per week of instruction.  Also, the Department of Mathematics offers free tutoring staffed by graduate students, mathematics majors, and students from other majors who have calculus credit. Instructors supplement their courses with the algebraic proficiencies required by the co-requisite curriculum.

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 enroll in ESL 1010. Domestic students enroll in READ 1150.**
205-222 13-14 400-430 - 61-69 - 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 6.0 2 Enroll in READ 1150.**
>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 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
 
**English L Sections The Department of English offers designated Learning Support sections of English Composition I (ENGL 1010) for students whose ACT English scores are 17 or lower. These 3-credit ENGL 1010-L sections meet the same general education requirements for written communication as traditional 3-credit ENGL 1010 classes. ENGL 1010-L sections are taught with a maximum enrollment of 15 students, while enrollment in traditional sections of ENGL 1010 may be as high as 24 students. The low student-to-instructor ratio in these small ENGL 1010-L sections allows for more individualized instruction and increased time spent with each student, which allows for responsive writing instruction that effectively addresses the needs and aptitudes for all students. The Writing Excellence Studio @ Tech (WEST) offers free individual tutoring services and writing assistance to all Tech students, as well as occasional student-centered workshops that focus on writing strategies. WEST tutoring is especially recommended to Learning Support students. Students may make an appointment with a WEST consultant through TechConnect. 

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.