Math Placement Levels and Scores

On this page:

2022 Math Test Scores to Placement Level Conversion*

Aleks Placement Test Score ACT-Math ACT-Math PLUS
>= 3.0 HS GPA
SAT-Math SAT-Math PLUS
>= 3.0 HS GPA
Math Placement Level Math Course Eligibility
0–21 17 or below 0-15
+ 3.0 HS GPA
480 or below 0-410
+ 3.0 HS GPA
0 ok for Math 092 or 094
22–45 18–23 16-20
+ 3.0 HS GPA
490–560 420-520
+ 3.0 HS GPA
10 ok for Math 098, 102, 103 & 111
46–60 24–27 21-24
+ 3.0 HS GPA
570–660 530-580
+ 3.0 HS GPA
20 ok for Math 102, 103, 105, 111, 116, 175
61–67 28–31 25-26
+ 3.0 HS GPA
670–710 590-620
+ 3.0 HS GPA
30 ok for Math 115, 116, 117, 175, 205, 208, 211, S215:
QL-A SATISFIED
68–75 –– –– –– –– 35 ok for Math 115, 117, 175, 205, 208, 211, S215:
QL-A & 116 SATISFIED
76–86 32–33 27-28
+ 3.0 HS GPA
720–750 630-670
+ 3.0 HS GPA
40 ok for Math 175, 205, 208, 211, 213, S215, 231, 341;
QL-A & 115 SATISFIED
87–100 34–36 29
+ 3.0 HS GPA
760 or higher 680 or higher
+ 3.0 HS GPA
45 ok for Math 175, 205, 208, 211, 213, S215, 221, 231, 341;
QL-A & 115 SATISFIED
*Notes:
(1) Chart for incoming students Fall 2022 or later.
(2) Exam must be officially proctored in order to establish placement.
We do not accept any results from the UW System math placement tests taken after February, 2020.
(3) Student math course eligibility is based on their highest test placement.
(4) Students without ACT/SAT scores or wishing to improve their placement may find information about how to take a webcam-proctored Aleks Placement Test here. Consult the UWM course catalog for pre-requisites for individual courses.
(5) 3.0 (or better) HS GPA must be on a 4.0 scale.

Previous Math Placement Test Score to Level Conversion

2021 Math Test Scores to Placement Level Conversion*
Aleks Placement Test Score ACT-Math SAT-Math Math Placement Level Math Course Eligibility
0–21 17 or below 480 or below 0 ok for Math 092 or 094
22–45 18–23 490–560 10 ok for Math 098, 102, 103 & 111
46–60 24–27 560–660 20 ok for Math 102, 103, 105, 111, 116, 175
61–67 28–31 670–710 30 ok for Math 115, 116, 117, 175, 205, 208, 211, S215:
QL-A SATISFIED
68–75 –– –– 35 ok for Math 115, 117, 175, 205, 208, 211, S215:
QL-A & 116 SATISFIED
76–86 32–33 720–750 40 ok for Math 175, 205, 208, 211, 213, S215, 231, 341;
QL-A & 115 SATISFIED
87–100 34–36 760 or higher 45 ok for Math 175, 205, 208, 211, 213, S215, 221, 231, 341;
QL-A & 115 SATISFIED
*Notes:
(1) Exam must be officially proctored in order to establish placement. Since the UW system math placement test for 2021 is exclusively online and un-proctored, we will not be accepting those results.
(2) Student math course eligibility is based on their highest test placement.
(3) Students without ACT/SAT scores or wishing to improve their placement may find information about how to take a webcam-proctored Aleks Placement Test here.Consult the UWM course catalog for pre-requisites for individual courses.
2020, 2019, and 2018 Math Placement Test Score to Level Conversion
Aleks ppl Test Score Math Placement Level
0-21 0
22-45 10
46-60 20
61-67 30
68-75 35
76-86 40
87-100 45

Consult the UWM course catalog for pre-requisites for individual courses.

2017 Math Placement Test Score to Level Conversion
MFUND AALG TAG LEVEL Placement
150-365 150-850 150-850 0 Math 092 or 094
See advisor for placement
366-415 150-850 150-850 10 Math 092 or 098
See advisor for placement
416-850 150-525 150-850 20 103, 105, 175
416-850 526-565 150-565 30 115, 116, 117, 175, 205, 211, S215;
GER Part A SATISFIED
416-850 526-565 566-850 36 116, 175, 205, 211, S215;
GER Part A & 117 SATISFIED
416-850 566-850 150-565 35 117, 175, 205, 211, S215;
GER Part A & 116 SATISFIED
416-850 566-605 566-850 40 175, 205, 211, S215, 231, 341;
GER Part A SATISFIED
416-850 606-850 566-850 45 175, 205, 211, S215, 221,231, 341;
GER Part A SATISFIED

2017 ACT-math subscore placement*

*only a few courses allow ACT-math as an alternative to the UW math placement test or coursework.

ACT-math Placement allowed
up to 15 none.
16 or 17 Level E (ok for Math 92)
18 or higher ok for Math 103
24 or higher Level C (ok for Math 105, 175 (or 103))
30 if in addition, Math placement test code is 40, ok for Math 221.
2016 Math Placement Test Score to Level Conversion
MBSC ALG TRG level Placement
150-360 150-850 150-850 0 Math 092 or 094
See advisor for placement
361-850 150-390 150-850 10 Math 092 or 098
See advisor for placement
361-850 391-530 150-850 20 103, 105, 175
361-850 531-590 150-540 30 115, 116, 117, 175, 205, 211, S215;
GER Part A SATISFIED
361-850 531-590 541-850 36 116, 175, 205, 211, S215;
GER Part A & 117 SATISFIED
361-850 591-670 150-540 35 117, 175, 205, 211, S215;
GER Part A & 116 SATISFIED
361-850 591-670 541-850 40 175, 205, 211, S215, 231, 341;
GER Part A SATISFIED
361-850 671-850 541-850 45 175, 205, 211, S215, 221,231, 341;
GER Part A SATISFIED

 

2014 and 2015 Math Placement Test Score to Level Conversion
MBSC ALG TRG level Placement
150-390 150-850 150-850 0 Math 092 or 094
See advisor for placement
391-850 150-400 150-850 10 Math 092 or 098
See advisor for placement
391-850 401-495 150-850 20 103, 105, 175
391-850 496-605 150-535 30 116, 117, 175, 205, 211, S215;
GER Part A SATISFIED
391-850 496-605 536-850 36 116, 175, 205, 211, S215;
GER Part A & 117 SATISFIED
391-850 606-695 150-535 35 117, 175, 205, 211, S215;
GER Part A & 116 SATISFIED
391-850 606-695 536-850 40 175 205, 211, S215, 231, 341;
GER Part A SATISFIED
391-850 696-850 536-850 45 175, 205, 211, S215, 221,231, 341;
GER Part A SATISFIED

 

 

For prior years conversion contact a Math Advisor.

Note: Credit for MthStat 215, Math 211, 231, or 232 by the AP, IB, or CLEP exams is interpreted as a grade of C or better in that course.  Visit the UWM Acceptance of Non-Coursework Credit page for scores required to earn credit.

Changes Effective May 15, 2021.

The following should be used to compute Math Placement Levels for all students testing on or after January 2, 2021.

Math Placement Level 0
Earned by any of: Level 0 on any Math Placement Test;
(Level 0 ok for Math 92, 94) For transfer students only: No placement test, no ACT score or SAT score, no transferred math.
Math Placement Level 10
Earned by any of: Level 10 on any Math Placement Test;
(Level 10 ok for Math 98, 102, 103 or
Math/Phil 111)
Grade of C or bettere in Math 090 or 102; or
Grade of D in Math 094.
Math Placement Level 20
Earned by any of: Level 20 on any Math Placement Test;
(Level 20 ok for Math 102, 103, 105, 116, 175, or Math/Phil 111) Grade of C or better in Math 094, 095, or 098.
Math Placement Level 30
Earned by any of: Level 30 or 35 on any Math Placement Test;
(Level 30 ok for Math 211, 208, 205, 175, 117, 116, 115, and MthStat 215.) Grade C or better in Math 105, 108, or 116;
Score of 5 or higher on the IB Mathematical Studies-SL; (If taken May 2020 or prior)
Score of 3 or higher on the AP Statistics exam; or
Score of 63 or higher on the CLEP College Algebra exam.
Math Placement Level 40
Earned by any of: Level 40 on any Math Placement Test;
(Level 40 ok for Math 341, 231, 213, 211, 208, 205, 175, and MthStat 215.) Grade or C or better in Math 115;
Grade of C or better in both of Math 116 and 117;
Grade of C or better in both of Math 211 and 117;
Grade of C or better in Math 116 and Level 26 or 36 on Math Placement Test;
Grade of C or better in Math 211 and Level 26 or 36 on Math Placement Test;
Grade of C or better in Math 117 and Level 35 on Math Placement Test;
Score of 61 or higher on the CLEP College Precalculus exam.
Math Placement Level 45
Earned by any of: Level 40 on Math Placement Test and ACT Math subscore of 30 or higher;
(Level 45 ok for Math 341, 231, 221, 213, 211, 208, 205, 175, and MthStat 215.) Score of 4 or 5 on the AP AB calculus exam;
Score of 3 or higher on the AP BC calculus exam;
Score of 5 or higher on the IB Mathematics – HL;
(If taken May 2020 or prior)
Grade of A- or better in both Math 116 and Math 117;
Grade of A- of better in Math 115.

Math Pathway/Course Recommendations

Math Course Recommendations based on major/program

 

Education Pathway – for majors in the School of Education

Math Literacy Pathway – for majors in Arts, Humanities and some Social Sciences

Professional Pathway – for majors in Business, Health Sciences/Nursing and some Social Sciences

STEM Pathway with 116 and STEM Pathway without 116 – for majors in Natural Sciences, Engineering, Architecture & Urban Planning

 

FAQ on Math 92, 102, 103, 111 (scheduling, prerequisite, etc.)

Question: Do I need to take a math class at UWM?
Answer:

  • All UWM students must satisfy the two-level Quantitative Literacy requirement in order to graduate: Quantitative Literacy Parts A (QLA) and B (QLB). Many departments offer QLB courses (ask your advisor which is right for you), but QLA is only satisfied by a Math curricular area course or equivalent placement exam score.
  • If you earned a Math Placement Test Code of 30 or higher, you satisfied your QLA requirement via this test!
  • Earning a grade of C or higher in Math 102 or 103 (or 105, 108, 175) will also satisfy QLA – and these courses also satisfy the L&S math requirement for the BA degree.

Question: Who can take Math 092/102 or Math 103 to satisfy their degree requirements?
Answer:

    • Primarily students in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Welfare can take 102 or 103, as they do not need to take any further math or science courses.
    • Most students in the School of Education who do not place directly into Math 175 are advised to take 103 or 092+102 first.
    • Anyone in a STEM, Business, or Health Sci program, or anyone interested in the BS in L&S, will need different math courses for their program, and should consult their advisor to find the right courses (Math 094, 098, 105, 115, 116, 117, 208, 211, 231, etc.).
    • All students should double check their program requirements and/or consult their academic advisor when choosing which math courses to take each semester.
    • Majors whose math requirement is satisfied by Math 103 or 92+102
      • Africology
      • Anthropology
      • Art
      • Art Education
      • Art History
      • Classics
      • Communication
      • Comparative Literature
      • Criminal Justice
      • Dance
      • English
      • Film
      • Film Studies
      • French
      • German
      • Global Studies (tracks other than Global Management)
      • History
      • Inter Arts
      • International Studies
      • Italian
      • Jewish Studies
      • Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies
      • Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies
      • Linguistics
      • Music
      • Music Education
      • Philosophy
      • Political Science
      • Psychology (BA)
      • Religious Studies
      • Russian
      • Social Work
      • Sociology
      • Spanish
      • Theatre
      • Women’s Studies

Question: Do I qualify for Math 103?
Answer:

  • The prerequisite of Math 103 is either an ACT-math subscore of 18 or higher, or Math Placement Level 10—attained by earning a level 10 on the Math Placement Test, a grade of C or better in Math 90, or a grade of D or better in Math 94.

Question: When can I take Math 103?
Answer:

  • Students are expected to complete QLA within their first 60 credits, so that they can complete their QLB course without delays to their graduation.
  • Starting AY 17-18, Math 103 will primarily shift to Spring semesters.
  • Math 103 will be offered in summer and UWinterm (if sufficient enrollment).
  • There will be a limited number of sections of 103 offered each Fall (either online, in evenings and/or in early mornings), for students who couldn’t complete 103 earlier in their program due to special circumstances

Question: Should/Could I take Math/Philos 111 to satisfy my QLA?
Answer:

  • Math or Philos 111 is a good QLA choice for students who intend to take Philos 211 as their QLB course. (Note: Philos 211 is a logic course and is NOT the same as Math 211 Survey of Calculus).
  • Math 111 is “jointly offered” with Philos 111.  No matter which one you register for, it’s the same class and you’ll get QLA credit (as long as you get a C or better.
  • Math/Philos 111 has the same prereq as Math 103.

Question: I don’t meet the prerequisite of Math 103. What math course should I take?
Answer:

  • You should take Math 92 and Math 102, as effective Fall 2018 Math 092 has no prerequisite.

Question: When can I take Math 092 and 102?
Answer:

  • Students must complete remedial course work (Math 9x) in their first 30 credits, basically the first year.
  • Math 092&102 will primarily shift to Spring and be offered in paired co-requisite sections. For example, Math 092 Section 57 MW 11-12:15, and Math 102 Section 57 TR 11-12:15, will meet in the same room with the same instructor, and the courses will be paired in PAWS so that students must enroll in both. Students will work in 092 on Mon (or Wed) on the background needed for the 102 material for Tues (or Thurs).
  • For students with extraordinary schedule restrictions: there will be a very limited number of freestanding 092’s each term, with enrollment by permission only. Contact Kelly Kohlmetz kellyk2@uwm.edu for permission to enroll.
  • For students taking a paired 092+102, their 092 grade will not be lower than the grade they earn in 102.
  • Starting Spring 2018, there will be a very limited number of freestanding sections of 102 offered each fall and spring. For example, for students who take the linked 092/102 and who pass 092 but not 102, or students who were given permission to take a freestanding 092.
  • Starting Summer 2018, each of 092 and 102 will be offered in summers, not paired, likely both online, with 092 in first 6 week session and 102 in second 6 week session.
  • Starting in Fall 2018, online versions of each of 092 and 102 will be offered, not paired, with enrollment by permission only (for permission contact Kelly Kohlmetz kellyk2@uwm.edu)

Question: Why must I take 6 credits of math in the same semester, if I’m not in a hurry to finish math since I have no more math requirements?
Answer:

  • The short answer: We care about your success, and you’re more likely to pass both courses if you’re taking math every day–focusing more on math and having fewer other courses to keep track of.
  • The traditional model of taking Math 092 in fall and 102 in spring is a “leaky pipeline.” Only about half of students who enroll in Math 092 in fall finish 102 in spring. This failure negatively affects student success and retention.
  • The co-requisite model has been showed to significantly increase student success. For example, the entire Tennessee Board of Regents Universities and Community Colleges increased the percent of students who passed a credit-bearing math course in their first year from 59% to 75% by implementing co-requisite remediation!

Question: Why must I take 6 “credits” of math courses in one semester, if I struggle with math?
Answer:

  • As stated above: We care about your success, and you’re more likely to pass both courses if you’re taking math every day–focusing more on math and having fewer other courses to worry about.
  • Meeting four days per week allows the instructor to get to know your individual areas of strength and weakness – and to have the time and flexibility to address them in ways to help you succeed.
  • PLEASE NOTE: You will be taking six-credits of math! Be sure that you are allowing yourself enough time in your schedule for homework every night, weekly tutoring and weekly meetings with your instructor. This will be the equivalent of TWO courses worth of homework and studying, which means about 12 hours of time is needed outside of class. We advise you not to load your schedule with more than two other courses.