(A 3-page summary of math advising on the Web, for those of you who want to download or print something to look at later when you don't have Web access.)
If you feel that your ACC Assessment Test score does not really reflect your current skill level or that the advice we are giving is not appropriate for you, please feel free to talk with an advisor, either in the Advising Center or in the mathematics department. On the Web, you can look at a discussion of what the advisor will explore with you.
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This indicates that you were not able to demonstrate strong algebra skills, so you need to start at the beginning with algebra. Also, the computerized test should have given you some arithmetic problems and given you a score on the Prealgebra COMPASS test. Look at your score sheet now.
If your Prealgebra COMPASS score is between 0 and 22, then you were not able to demonstrate strong arithmetic skills. The placement recommendation is that you enroll in our Basic Math Skills and set up a regular time to get help in the Learning Lab (MATD 0330.) In this course, you will work with a dedicated teacher who will help you get a solid foundation in arithmetic from which you can build your algebra skills in later semesters. The Learning Lab will provide additional support on some of the whole-number arithmetic skills that are necessary but not covered very thoroughly in our course. You will have one or two more semesters of Developmental Math to finish ACC’s required Developmental Math sequence, depending on the college-level math you need to take and whether you can pass the COMPASS/THEA before you take Intermediate Algebra.
If your Prealgebra COMPASS test score is between 23 and 59, then you were not able to demonstrate sufficient arithmetic skills to be ready for a course in algebra. The placement recommendation is that you enroll in Basic Math Skills (MATD 0330). In this course, you will work with a dedicated teacher who will help you get a solid foundation in arithmetic from which you can build your algebra skills in later semesters. You will have one or two more semesters of Developmental Math to finish ACC’s required Developmental Math sequence, depending on the college-level math you need to take and whether you can pass the COMPASS/THEA before you take Intermediate Algebra.
If your Prealgebra COMPASS test score is between 60 and 100, then you were able to demonstrate sufficient arithmetic skills to start in a beginning algebra course. The placement recommendation is that you enroll in Elementary Algebra (MATD 0370). In this course, you will work with a dedicated teacher who will help you get a solid foundation in algebra and its applications for later courses. When you finish this course, you should be able to prepare for and pass the THEA test, which would allow you to enroll in MATH 1332, 1333, or 1342. Another semester of Developmental Math (Intermediate Algebra, MATD 0390) will be necessary to prepare for Math for Business and Economics, College Algebra, or higher mathematics courses.
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Your score indicates that indicates that you are able to demonstrate some basic algebraic skills. You have a choice of two courses at this point.
Before you choose a course at this level is the time to think about what you might major in and check on what math courses are required for that major. Be sure that you are preparing for the correct sequence.
The course that most students take is Elementary Algebra, MATD 0370. It is a part of the standard mathematics sequence and a dedicated teacher will work with you to develop a solid foundation in algebra for later courses and in applications in many areas. When you finish this course, you should be able to prepare for and pass the THEA test, which would allow you to enroll in MATH 1332, 1333, or 1342. Another semester of Developmental Math (Intermediate Algebra, MATD 0390) will be necessary to prepare for Math for Business and Economics, College Algebra, or higher mathematics courses.
(Enrollment in MATD 0360 dropped so much that it is not currently being offered.) Your other choice is Topics in Developmental Math, MATD 0360. This course covers the same algebraic topics as MATD 0370, but not in as much depth (fewer and less complex problems). You will work with a dedicated teacher to make sure that you have a solid understanding of all the algebraic concepts and a number of other mathematical topics, which are covered in more depth than in our algebra courses. These topics that are most relevant for succeeding in several of ACC's college-level mathematics courses: MATH 1332, College Mathematics, MATH 1342, Elementary Statistics, and MATH 1333, Mathematics for Measurement. The THEA test also covers these topics. When you finish this course, you should be able to pass the THEA test, which would allow you to enroll in MATH 1332, 1333, or 1342. If you need to take other college-level mathematics courses, such as College Algebra, MATH 1314, or Math for Business and Economics, MATH 1324, you should NOT take this route. You should take MATD 0370, as described in the previous paragraph.
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This score indicates that you know a rather minimal amount of high school algebra. Now you must decide which college-credit math course(s) you will want to take. Look at what is required for your educational goal.
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You have demonstrated that you recall enough algebraic skills and other mathematical skills to be able to do many of the real-life applications of mathematics and to begin some of the college-credit mathematics courses. Which course is appropriate for you depends on several factors, including
In order to decide which mathematics course to take, you must first look at what is required for your educational goal.
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You are eligible to enroll in any mathematics course for which you have the course prerequisites or for the following courses whether you have the course prerequisite or not:
If your COMPASS Algebra score is 79 or above, and you have succeeded in high school Algebra II, you are eligible to enroll in MATH 1316, Trigonometry. In this case, you should review the material on the Prerequisite Review Sheets for MATH 1316, Trigonometry, before you start the course.
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Last reviewed on May 27, 2005 . Questions, suggestions, comments?