Information about Math Placement at CCSU

For new students:  Your initial math placement is determined by Math SAT or Math ACT scores as follows*:

Old Math SAT	New Math SAT	Math ACT	Math Course Placement
450 or below	490 or below	17 or below	MATH 099	Elementary Algebra
460  –   490	500  –   520	18 - 21	MATH 102CB	Applied Algebra w/ Elementary Algebra
500  –   540	530 –   570	22 - 23	MATH 102 or MATH 103	Applied Algebra or College Algebra
550 or above	580	24 or above	------------	Various College-Level Courses

The goal of college math placement is not to evaluate past student performance but rather to determine the course level at which a student can be successful. Initial math placement for all new incoming students is based on the SAT and/or ACT math scores and not on high school grades or the CAPT. Math programs vary widely from high school to high school and so grades alone have not proven to be an adequate measure of student ability to succeed in college mathematics. While the CAPT is a more standardized measure, it too fails to be an effective placement tool as it is administered during the sophomore year – more than two years before a student begins college.

If a student feels that her math knowledge and skills are not accurately reflected by the Math SAT or ACT score, then we recommend that she take advantage of the opportunity given to all new students to take an Accuplacer test on campus. CCSU uses this test as another placement tool and it will override the math SAT or ACT score if she places into a higher-level math course.

You may contact the CCSU Learning Center (860-832-1900) for more information about taking the Accuplacer this summer.