Mathematics Placement Guidelines - 2.2.1.A - Admissions and Transfer

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Stanley

Mathematics Placement Guidelines define the South Dakota Board of Regents’ standardized process for initially placing undergraduate students into college math courses, including transfer and non-degree seeking cases where placement applies only upon math enrollment. The document outlines the rationale and scope, then details initial placement methods using recent high school GPA, a Math Index combining HS GPA and ACT Math, converted SAT subscores, Smarter Balanced options, and Accuplacer placement tests for specific conditions such as calculus readiness.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Overview

Rationale

Scope

Initial Placement

College Math Courses

College Math 123 (Calculus I)

Initial Placement Notes

Student Challenge of Initial Placement

| | ACADEMIC AFFAIRS GUIDELINES | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Section 2.2: | Admissions and Transfer | | | | Title: | Mathematics Placement Guidelines | | | | Number (Current Format) | | Number (Prior Format) | Date Last Revised | | 2.2.1.A | | XII.E, 7.6.A | 11/2022 | | Reference: | Board of Regents Minutes, August 2016.
April 2017 Placement Update at AAC
Board of Regents Minutes, May 2022
BOR Policy 2.2.1 – System Undergraduate Admissions | | | | Related Form(s): | None. | | | 1. Introduction 1.1 Overview: The South Dakota Board of Regents espouses a standardized process specific to initial placement of students in math courses 1. 1.2 Rationale: Students are placed in accordance with acknowledged skills and abilities. Such placement attempts to match student preparation/dispositions and course rigor with the goal of positioning students for collegiate success. 1.3 Scope: All incoming, degree seeking students at the undergraduate level (associate and baccalaureate-degreed programs) are initially placed in math courses as established by approved guidelines. 1.3.1 Newly degree-seeking students who have already successfully completed mathematics course work at any regental institution bypass placement requirements; such students use completed course work to satisfy prerequisite requirements for future mathematics courses. 1.3.2 A subset of students successfully complete math course work outside of the South Dakota regental system; if an external course is approved as a transfer equivalency for a regental course which also satisfies the math general education requirement, then the student is exempt from math placement; all other transfer students areplaced in accordance with defined procedures. 1.3.3 For non-degree seeking students, placement is relevant only if students pursue registration in math course work. In such cases, placement procedures do apply. 2. Initial Placement (Refer to Matrix Featured in Appendix A) 2.1. College Math Courses (e.g., Math 103-121, Math Reasoning, Algebra, etc.) 1 Traditionally, math placement procedures were set in BOR policy. In August of 2016, the board membership approved a transition from BOR policy to AAC Guidelines. However, changes to the placement matrix (specifically, material changes that directly impact the placement process) remain subject to BOR approval. 􀁸 High School GPA (HS GPA)2 HS GPA is used in isolation as a single measure of academic preparation. Its usagewhich is preferential - promotes a student-friendly, streamlined method of initial placement. Note: HS GPA must be recent (no more than five years old) . 􀁸 Math Index (MI) This measure of readiness integrates two data elements (HS GPA and ACT Math Subscore) . Developed specifically for the regental system in 2013, it is calculated as follows: {(HS GPA x 250) + (ACT Math Subscore x 17)} . The MI provides an alternative to HS GPA in isolation. 􀁸 SAT Math Subscores SAT Math Subscores are converted to ACT Subscores (see concordance table presented in Appendix B) . Consistent with HS GPA, standardized test scores must be recent (no more than five years old) . ACT/SAT Subscores are exclusively used to calculate MI; alternately stated, such standardized test scores are not utilized in isolation to place students. 􀁸 Smarter Balanced Math Subscore (SB) In the spring of 2015, South Dakota High Schools collectively launched administration of this standardized test; SB test scores may be used to elevate math placement. 􀁸 College Board Accuplacer Next Generation Math Test Ifa student’s situation requires additional methodology (i.e., due to absence of a viable HS GPA and/or SB test score), this Accuplacer mathematics test is used to determine placement. 2.2. College Math 123 (Calculus I): 􀁸 College Board Accuplacer Calculus Test Students must demonstrate readiness for calculus through not only HS GPA, but also Accuplacer test scores. Students without valid HS GPA and/

FAQs

What is the scope of the mathematics placement guidelines?

The guidelines apply to all incoming undergraduate degree-seeking students at the associate and baccalaureate level, who are initially placed in math courses under approved procedures. Non-degree seeking placement is relevant only when students pursue registration in math course work.

How is high school GPA used for initial math placement?

High school GPA is used as the primary preferred driver in isolation, provided it is recent (no more than five years old). Appendix A specifies how HS GPA is applied for placement.

What alternatives to HS GPA exist when student readiness must be determined?

Alternative options include a Math Index that combines recent HS GPA with the ACT Math subscore, converted SAT math subscores via a concordance table, Smarter Balanced math subscores to elevate placement, and the Accuplacer Next Generation or Accuplacer calculus-related tests when valid HS GPA and/or SB scores are not available.

How can students challenge an initial placement decision?

Incoming students may challenge placement by sitting for the Accuplacer test, with an established fee assessed per attempt. Students may also take the South Dakota Calculus test twice—once for initial placement and once to challenge that placement.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Stanley