Assessment for Course Placement

Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) places students in English and Mathematics courses appropriate for their skill level. The course placement process assists students in selecting appropriate courses to help ensure their success upon entering SMSU. Course placement can be determined using one or a combination of the following: 

• Scores from ACT, SAT, MN Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) - valid within the last 5 calendar years 
• High school GPA - valid within the last 10 calendar years 
• Standardized score reports from Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) 
• Completion of college-level coursework from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university 
• Course Placement Assessment - ACCUPLACER - math scores valid for 2 calendar years, reading & EMLS scores valid for 5 calendar years 

Students wishing to enroll in any of the following courses must meet one of the course placement requirements for that course. If a student does not meet the requirements, they may take the ACCUPLACER placement test virtually through Examity test proctoring. On-campus testing is offered on a case-by-case basis to students who are unable to test virtually or who may benefit from in-person testing. 

• ENG 151 Academic Writing 
• EMLS 125 Intermediate Listening and Speaking 
• EMLS 126 Intermediate Writing and Reading 
• EMLS 150 Advanced Listening and Speaking 
• EMLS 151 Advanced Writing and Reading 
• MATH 110 College Algebra 
• MATH 135 Precalculus 

New Students

If score reports from the ACT, SAT, or MN Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) are available at the time of application, they will be reviewed first to determine course placements. If the test results do not meet the placement requirements, or a student does not have any of these test results on file, high school GPA will be used as a standalone measure for English and as one part of a multiple measure for mathematics to determine course placement, when appropriate. If high school GPA is not an appropriate measure, students may either begin at the developmental level in English/EMLS/Mathematics or take the ACCUPLACER to attempt placement at the college level. Students who need to take the ACCUPLACER can do so virtually through the Examity proctor service. On-campus testing is offered on a case-by-case basis to students who are unable to test virtually or who may benefit from in-person testing. 

Note: For course placement, high school GPA is valid for 10 years from the date of graduation or, if the student has not yet graduated, from the date of submission. Self-reported GPA will be accepted in the absence of a GPA submitted on a transcript. ACT, SAT, and MN Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) scores are valid for a period of 5 years from the test date. ACCUPLACER scores are valid for a period of 2 years for mathematics subject tests, 5 years for reading subject tests, and 5 years for EMLS/ELL subject tests. 

Transfer Students

Transfer students who have completed college-level coursework at a regionally accredited college or university may have already satisfied course placement requirements. Students should submit official transcripts from all colleges they have attended. Information on how to transfer credit is available on the Office of Registration and Records website.

International Students

Notwithstanding students’ submission of entrance exam scores (i.e., SAT/ACT) to SMSU, the completion of the ESL Listening and ESL WritePlacer, as well as the ACCUPLACER mathematics exam, is required for the purposes of course placement. 

International students are expected to take the ACCUPLACER through the Examity virtual proctoring service before arriving at SMSU. Once international students are admitted and have confirmed their Visa interview, they may contact Sarah Brown at Sarah.Brown@SMSU.edu to receive their ACCUPLACER Examity voucher for virtual testing. 

For questions about international student admissions, please contact the Center for International Education (CIE).

Course Placement Options

ACT 
A national standardized test designed to measure knowledge and skills in four areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. ACT Inc. offers the test, which is taken by individuals/students and used by colleges and universities for college admissions. 

SAT 
A national standardized test designed to measure knowledge and skills in three areas: reading, writing, and mathematics. The test is offered by the College Board, taken by individuals/students, and used by colleges and universities for college admissions. 

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) 
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and alternate assessments (MCA-Modified and MTAS) are the state tests designed to measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and meet the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The MCAs are administered in grades 3-8, 10th, and 11th in the subject areas of reading, mathematics, and science. 

ACCUPLACER 
ACCUPLACER is the Minnesota State system-endorsed placement instrument. 

ACCUPLACER supports students ready to start earning credits toward their degree and those who need to develop their skills before taking college-level courses. ACCUPLACER scores let students know where they stand academically, which makes it easier for them to plan a successful path toward a college degree. 

An adaptive test designed to measure knowledge and skills in reading, writing, and mathematics and used to assess student preparedness for introductory college-level courses. The College Board administers the test that students take and that colleges and universities use for course placement. 

Minnesota State Course Placement Policy

System Procedure 3.3.1 Assessment for Course Placement