Placement Qualifiers and Placement Test Cut-Off Scores - updated 12/22/16

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Terk

Placement qualifiers provide cut-off score ranges and grade-mapping guidance to determine student eligibility for specific English and Math courses, including placement based on COMPASS, Accuplacer, and Smarter Balanced metrics. The material defines score thresholds for multiple assessments (e.g., ACT/SAT writing and math, HiSET, GED, and self-reported options), explains overlap rules that prevent prerequisite errors, and lists conversion rules for course grade equivalents. It also covers COMPASS Reading/Writing/Math and Accuplacer Reading/ESL/Math placement pathways for adults and community-school programs.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Placement in ENG 100 or 102

English assessment cut-off scores

Placement in English course one level below ENG 100

English assessment cut-off scores

Placement in MATH 100 & 115 & 120

Math assessment cut-off scores

Placement in Math 103

Math assessment cut-off scores

Placement in Math course one level below MATH 103

Math assessment cut-off scores

COMPASS SCORES - Reading, Writing, and Math

Reading placement score ranges

Writing placement score ranges

Math placement score ranges

Vocational program Math placement

ACCUPLACER Scores - ENGLISH

WritePlacer (AWP)

Next Generation Reading (AR)

WritePlacer ESL (AEE)

ESL Reading Skills (AER)

ACCUPLACER Scores - MATH

Arithmetic (AARI)

Accuplacer Algebra (AAL)

Accuplacer Advanced Math (AAM)

Placement Qualifiers and Placement Test Cut-Off Scores (updated 12/22/16) Placement in ENG 100 or 102 | Assessment | Score | | --- | --- | | SBEA (Smarter Bal Eng Achv Level) | 4 | | CHSG (Cumulative HS GPA) | 2.60-5.00 | | 12EN (12th Grade English Course) | 3-4* | | A01 (ACT English) | 18-36 | | SATW (SAT Writing) | 510-800 | | HSLA (HiSETLanguage Arts-Writing) | 15-20 | | GEDL (GED Reasoning Through LangArts) | 170-200 | | SA1 (Self-Reported ACT English) | 18-36 | | SSAW (Self-Reported SAT Writing) | 510-800 | *There is no hierarchy between self-reported SAT and ACT scores versus officially reported SAT and ACT scores. Even if there is a discrepancy, banner will read both scores and allow a student to register based on whichever score is higher. *Grade score where 4=A, 3=B, 2=C & 1=D Placement in English course one level below ENG 100 (Eng 21+102 OR Eng 22+100) . *Note, score ranges overlap with ENG 100 to allow students to register for both courses without receiving a pre-req error. | Assessment | Score | | --- | --- | | 12EN (12th Grade English Course) | 2-4* | | CHSG (Cumulative HS GPA) | 2.00-5.00 | | A01 (ACT English) | 11-36 | | SATW (SAT Writing) | 310-800 | | SA1 (Self-Reported ACT English) | 11-36 | | SSAW (Self-Reported SAT Writing) | 310-800 | | SBEA (Smarter Bal Eng Achv Level) | 3 | *Grade score where 4=A, 3=B, 2=C & 1=D Placement in MATH 100 & 115 & 120 | Assessment | Score | | --- | --- | | SBMA (Smarter Bal Math Achv Level) | 3-4 | | SBMA (Smarter Bal Math Achv Level)&
12TM (12th Grade Transitional Math) | 2 &
3-4* | | CHSG (Cumulative HS GPA)
&
MPAG (Math Placement Alg II Grade) | 2.60-5.00
3-4* | | A02 (ACT Math) | 22-36 | | SATM (SAT Math) | 510-800 | | HSM (HiSET Mathematics) | 15-20 | | GEDM (GED Mathematical Reasoning) | 170-200 | | SA2 (Self-Reported ACT Math) | 22-36 | | SSAM (Self-Reported SAT Math) | 510-800 | *Grade score where 4=A, 3=B, 2=C & 1=D Placement in Math 103 | Assessment | Score | | --- | --- | | SBMA (Smarter Bal Math Achv Level) | 4 | | SBMA (Smarter Bal Math Achv Level)&
12GM (12th Grade Math Course) | 3 &
3-4* | | CHSG (Cumulative HS GPA)
&
MPAG (Math Placement Alg II Grade) | 2.60-5.00
3-4* | | A02 (ACT Math) | 22-36 | | SATM (SAT Math) | 510-800 | | HSM (HiSET Mathematics) | 15-20 | | GEDM (GED Mathematical Reasoning) | 170-200 | | SA2 (Self-Reported ACT Math) | 22-36 | | SSAM (Self-Reported SAT Math) | 510-800 | *Grade score where 4=A, 3=B, 2=C & 1=D Placement in Math course one level below MATH 103 (Math 26 & 76) | Assessment | Score | | --- | --- | | CHSG (Cumulative HS GPA)
&
MPA1 (Math Placement Alg I Gr) | 2.60-5.00
&
3-4* | *Grade score where 4=A, 3=B, 2=C & 1=D COMPASS SCORES COMPASS Placement Scores for Reading | 0 – 44 | Non Credit | | --- | --- | | 45 – 55 | ENG 20R + ENG 21 OR ESL 20R | | 56 – 78 | ENG 21 + ENG 102 OR ESL 21 | | 79 – 100 | ENG 102 | COMPASS Placement Scores for Writing | W(0-24) | Non Credit | | --- | --- | | W(25-39) | ENG 20W+ENG 22 OR ESL 20W | | W(40-100)+R(0-55) | ENG 20W+ENG 22 | | W(40-73)+R(56-100) | ENG 22+ENG 100 OR ESL 22W | | W(74-100)+R(56-78) | ENG 22+ENG 100 | | W(74-100)+R(79-100) | ENG 100 OR ESL 197 | COMPASS Placement Scores for Math Pre-Algebra Score | 0-29 | Math 1 | | --- | --- | | 30 – 46 | Math 2 | | 47 – 100 | Math 76 or Math 26 | Algebra Score | 0 – 49 | Math 76 or Math 26 | | --- | --- | | 50 – 55 | Math 100* or 120 (*also requires placement in ENG 100 or 102) | | 56 – 74 | Math 103 or 115 | | 75 – 100 | Math 135 | College Algebra Score | 0 – 70 | Math 135 | | --- | --- | | 71 – 100 | Math 140 | Trigonometry Score | 0 – 64 | Math 140 | | --- | --- | | 65 – 100 | Math 205 | COMPASS Placement Scores for Vocational Programs Pre-Algebra Score | 0-29 | *QM 80 | | --- | --- | | 0 – 46 | *QM 78H (with QM 120H) or *QM 78B (with BUSN 189) | | 30-46 | QM 120T | | 47 – 100 | Math 26, BUSN 189, QM 120T or QM 120H | * See Counselor

FAQs

How are English placements determined from COMPASS scores for reading and writing?

COMPASS Reading uses a defined score band mapping to ENG 20R, ENG 21, or ENG 102. COMPASS Writing combines W and R score ranges to select the corresponding ENG 20W/22/100 or ESL options.

What is the rule for self-reported ACT/SAT scores versus officially reported scores?

No hierarchy exists between self-reported and officially reported ACT/SAT scores. If scores differ, the banner shows both and a student can register using whichever score is higher.

How does Accuplacer WritePlacer (AWP) decide placement in English courses?

WritePlacer (AWP) uses AWP score bands: 0–2 maps to non-credit/Community School for adults, 3 maps to ENG 20W + 22 (or ESL equivalents), 4 maps to ENG 22 + 100 (or ESL equivalents), and 5–8 maps to ENG 100.

Which Accuplacer math band determines whether a student takes AAL or is placed into specific math courses?

In Accuplacer Algebra (AAL), scores in 200–230 require taking the AAL test again contextually after AARI, while 231–249 place into courses like Math 26/76/BUSN 189 or QM 120H, and higher bands place into Math 100/115/120, Math 103/110, Math 135/140, or Math 205.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Terk