Appropriate course placement is an essential component of academic success. Standardized test scores often inform a student's course placement in math or writing, but they are not the only measure available. In the case of writing placement, students may complete a course matching survey and submit a writing sample to receive specific guidance on their placement options and next steps. Students may also be eligible for placement based upon nontraditional credit. Students should consult their academic advisor prior to registration to discuss placement scores and course prerequisites for appropriate course selection. Refer to this catalog for specific course prerequisites and placement score requirements.
Communication Course Placement
The following communication (COMM) courses require appropriate placement scores for course registration. A student who has earned an appropriate ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer score is eligible to enroll in the courses listed in the table below. The following table shows the minimum scores needed to place into specific courses.
| Course | Accuplacer Next Generation | Accuplacer Classic | ACT English | SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM A111 | (Writing: 265 & Reading: 265) or a combined score of 530 | (Reading Comprehension: 80 & Sentence Skills: 90) or a combined score of 170 | 22 | 560 |
| COMM A235 | (Writing: 265 & Reading: 265) or a combined score of 530 | (Reading Comprehension: 80 & Sentence Skills: 90) or a combined score of 170 | 22 | 560 |
| COMM A237 | (Writing: 265 & Reading: 265) or a combined score of 530 | (Reading Comprehension: 80 & Sentence Skills: 90) or a combined score of 170 | 22 | 560 |
| COMM A241 | (Writing: 265 & Reading: 265) or a combined score of 530 | (Reading Comprehension: 80 & Sentence Skills: 90) or a combined score of 170 | 22 | 560 |
Mathematics Course Placement
A student who has completed the course prerequisites is eligible to enroll in MATH or STAT courses. MATH or STAT prerequisite courses are valid for 24 months from the date completed.
A student who has not completed the course prerequisites must earn an appropriate score on a UAA-approved placement test. MATH placement test scores are valid for one year from the date taken.
Detailed information about Mathematics and Statistics placement testing, as well as access to the test, are available on the UA ALEKS website.
The following table shows the scores needed to place into specific courses.
| Course | ALEKS Score |
|---|---|
| MATH A054 or MATH A060 | 0-16 |
| MATH A055 | 17-29 |
| MATH A105 | 30-54 |
| MATH A104 or MATH A115 | 30-100 |
| MATH A121 or MATH A151 or MATH A155 | 55-77 |
| STAT A200 | 55-100 |
| MATH A152 | 65-77 |
| STAT A253 | 65-100 |
| MATH A221 or MATH A251 | 78-100 |
Writing Course Placement
Writing (WRTG) and Preparatory English (PRPE) courses require appropriate placement scores for course registration. A student who has earned an appropriate ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer score is eligible to enroll in the courses listed in the table below.
Students with ACT or SAT scores that place them in 200-level WRTG courses may receive credit by placement for WRTG A111 upon completion of WRTG A211, WRTG A212, WRTG A213 or WRTG A214 with a grade of C or better. To receive this credit, students must submit the appropriate form to the Office of the Registrar.
Students placing into WRTG A080 or WRTG A090 should consult an academic advisor to discuss course options and consider additional placement measures. Call (907) 786-0338 to request a writing placement appointment on the Anchorage campus or contact the testing center at your community campus.
Detailed information about testing services for writing placement, as well as student guides and sample questions, are available at the following testing centers and on their websites, linked below.
UAA Anchorage Testing Center: (907) 786-4525 or uaa_testingcenter@alaska.edu
Kenai Peninsula College Learning Centers: Kenai River Campus Learning Center (907) 262-0330; Kachemak Bay Campus Learning Resource Center (907) 235-1658; or call toll-free 1-877-262-0330 and ask to be connected to one of the centers
Kodiak College Test Center: (907) 486-1232 uaa_koctesting@alaska.edu
Matanuska-Susitna College Elizabeth J. Fallon Learning Resource Center: (907) 745-9772 or matsutesting@alaska.edu
Prince William Sound College: (907) 834-1600 or pwsc.testing@alaska.edu
The following table shows the minimum scores needed to place into specific courses.
| Course | Accuplacer Next Generation | Accuplacer Classic | ACT English | SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WRTG A090 | (Writing: 235 & Reading: 235) or a combined score of 470 | (Reading Comprehension: 50 & Sentence Skills: 60) or a combined score of 110 | N/A | N/A |
| WRTG A110 | (Writing: 250 & Reading: 250) or a combined score of 500 | (Reading Comprehension: 65 & Sentence Skills: 75) or a combined score of 140 | 18 | 450 |
| WRTG A111 | (Writing: 265 & Reading: 265) or a combined score of 530 | (Reading Comprehension: 80 & Sentence Skills: 90) or a combined score of 170 | 22 | 560 |
| WRTG A211 or WRTG A212 or WRTG A213 or WRTG A214 | N/A | N/A | 30 | 610 |