Math Placement Overview

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UA Foundation Math Requirement and Math Placement

Each major at the UA has a specific foundation MATH course requirement set by the major which generally requires taking at least one Math course, or having credit for a particular UA Math course. You can view these requirements by major in the catalog Advisement Reports.

In order to register for a MATH course, you must satisfy the course's prerequisite and eligibility criteria. This can be done through UA Math prerequisites, UA ALEKS PPL test scores, SAT I MSS or ACT MATH scores (first year students only), or approved Math transfer credit. PPL, SAT I, and ACT scores expire after one year. Other courses like CHEM 141/151/161, PHYS 102/181, MCB 181L/R, SBS 200, ISTA, 116 and other courses also have similar math placement requirements.

For MATH courses at or below the level of calculus I (Math 122A/B or 125), students can qualify through sufficient test scores from SAT/ACT (first year students only), the PPL Assessment (Math Placement test), the Math 100 final (MCLG), or recent prerequisites.
For courses at or above the level of Calculus II (Math 129), prerequisite courses/credit are required.
You can view some of these requirements on our Math Course Placement website.
Incoming students should refer to the information in the Math Placement section of their Next Steps Center.

PPL Assessment (Math Placement Test)

The purpose of our placement process is to determine, based on your mathematical background and current mathematical ability, which MATH courses are appropriate for you. Past experience shows that the Math Placement Test may be the clearest indicator. For this reason, we encourage all students to take the PPL Assessment; however, if you have recent college math credit, you may be able too use a transfer or UA Math course for placement. For more information, see the PPL FAQ's. First year students can place into Math courses through recent SAT or ACT scores.

SAT I MSS (MATH) or ACT MATH Placement

Incoming first year students can qualify for a Math course through sufficient SAT I MSS or ACT MATH scores. Scores must be recent. First year students should send official SAT or ACT scores to UA as soon as they are admitted.

Transfer Credits

Students can qualify for a math course or satisfy a foundation math requirement through a course from a transfer college or university, dual enrollment, or credit by exam from AP, IB, Cambridge, CLEP , or other exam credits.

Do you have or expect college math credit through Dual Enrollment, AP/IB/Cambridge, or any other credit? Send your official score report or college level transcript to UA.
We cannot use your high school transcripts to verify college credit.
Some transfer math courses automatically transfer as a UA Math course, while others require an evaluation. For more information see the MATH Credit by Exam & Transfer Credits website.
Incoming students should refer to the information in the Math Placement portion of the Next Steps Center.

Math 100

Many students need to start with a review course like Math 100 before to help prepare them for a more advanced course like Math 106, 107, 108, or 112. The final exam in Math 100 is a placement test that determines which course the student qualifies to take next.

Who takes Math 100? Many students start with Math 100, including

Transfer or continuing students who have not taken math in several years
Recent high school graduates who did not progress into precalculus, did not take a senior math course, or whose most recent math course was Statistics, Consumer Math, or a non-algebra based course.
Transfer or continuing students can qualify for Math 100 without taking the PPL Assessment.
First year student who qualify for Math 100 through the PPL Assessment take SAS 100AX and participate in the Schedule for Success Program. This program is designed to fill in the gaps from high school math curriculum in order to prepare students for UA Math 106, 107, 108, or 112. About a third of our incoming students place into Math 100.

More information can be found on the Math 100 course website.

Need Help with a Math Placement/Registration issue?

Our online form at Contact the Math Placement Office is the best form of contact for quickest assistance.

The PPL Assessment (Math Placement test) : Incoming students, see your Next Steps Center for testing instructions. Current students, click here for information and instructions.

Registration assistance:

If you need to provide an unofficial transcript or test scores for registration purposes, please submit these electronically though our Contact the Math Placement Office form.
If a class is full or not open through UAccess Student, we will not be able to add you. Please continue to check UAccess for an available seat.

College Math Credit - If you have college math credit that needs to be evaluated (shows as Math 1tr or Math 3tr), submit an evaluation.

Need more information or to contact us? Visit the Math Placement Support Portal.