MATH placement testing
The Office of Undergraduate Education administers the COMPASS Math Placement Exams to students entering UIS who need to complete General Education college-level math courses. Developed by the makers of the ACT exam, COMPASS exams provide a more in-depth assessment of students' skills and help college administrators and advisors determine the most appropriate class placement for their new students.
Spring semester 2012 testing schedule:
Mondays -- 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Thursdays -- 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Fridays -- 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Students entering UIS with fewer than 30 credit hours are required to complete two (2) UIS college-level math courses to meet the General Education math requirement. In some cases, your general education math courses are determined by your major because some majors require specific math classes as pre-requisites to the major course of study. For example, Calculus is required for Computer Science, Math, and some science majors.
The math courses you take are governed by the placement system utilized by the Math Department at UIS. Two outcomes are possible: 1) placement into a college-level math course appropriate for your skills and your intended major; or 2) placement into a developmental math course to build your skills for future success in a UIS college-level math class. All math placements are made with your success in mind.
The Math Department at UIS uses a combination of ACT Math sub scores, COMPASS Math Placement Test score, prior college-level math credit, and the intended major to determine which math classes you are eligible to register for this fall. Based on this information, you may be placed in a college-level math course appropriate for your major or a developmental math course to further prepare you for college-level math. If you do not have prior college-level math credit, use the table below to determine if you are required to take the COMPASS Math Placement Test.
Your Anticipated Major |
Your ACT Math Sub Score |
Required to Test |
Biology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Communications, Criminal Justice, English, Global Studies, History, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology/Anthropology, Visual Arts |
22 and below |
Required to Test |
Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Science, Economics, Management, Management Information Systems, or anyone wishing to take Business Calculus |
24 and below |
Required to Test |
Chemistry, Mathematics, Pre-Med Biology, Pre-Med Clinical Laboratory Science, or any planning to take Calculus I |
26 and below |
Required to Test |
Transfer students who have not already completed general education math courses, and whose ACT math subscore is 22 or below (24 or below for busines and computer science majors, 26 or below math and science majors) are also required to take the COMPASS math placement exam.
Information regarding Placement Testing is sent to newly-admitted students as they prepare for Orientation. Testing is scheduled at UIS through out the year. Contact the Advising Center for days and times. Testing can be scheduled at remote testing locations through Illinois and the United States. Please call the Advising Center to schedule a remote exam. You are encouraged to review the sample practice questions prior to taking the exam. It is best to complete testing prior to meeting with your advisor to register for classes.
For more information on Placement Exams contact the Undergraduate Academic Advising Center
- Phone: (217) 206-7471
- E-mail: uisuaac@uis.edu.
