Which MATH Can You Start At?

When you applied to KSU, you were automatically placed into your starting MATH course based on a combination of your high school GPA and the math portion of your SAT or ACT.

  • We will use the higher score between your exams to determine your math placement.
  • You will automatically be placed into MATH 1111. However, if you feel you should start at a higher level MATH, consider taking the ALEKS.

Talk to your advisor to ensure that you register for the most appropriate math class for your major!

math study group

Placement Criteria

Anyone can start here!

No test scores or HS GPA required.

SAT Math score: 570 or above.

OR

ACT MATH 23 or above.

AND

High school GPA of 2.8 or above.

SAT Math Score: 620 or above.

OR

ACT Math score: 26 or above.

AND

High school GPA of 3.2 or above.

Note on MATH 1160 and MATH 1179:

MATH 1160 is only for Coles College of Business students.

MATH 1179 is only for Biology and Environmental Science majors.

AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, and Transfer Credit

Appropriate scores in some AP, IB, and other credit-bearing examinations may either be enough to meet a student's mathematics requirements for their major, or may allow them to start at a higher level MATH that what their admissions placement determined.

Please review our AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, and Transfer Credit page for more information.

Contact your advisor if you have questions about how your incoming  credits

ALEKS Placement Assessment

ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces) is an adaptive, online assessment and learning tool that is designed to help students improve their math skills. The program assesses a student's math knowledge, identifies gaps in understanding, and creates a personalized learning plan to help fill those gaps. ALEKS is used by KSU as a tool to assess students' math abilities and potentially place them into a higher level of MATH than was originally determined. This is a good option for STEM students who did not place into their recommended MATH course for their major.

Please visit Placement.kennesaw.edu to learn more and to register. Please keep in mind that ALEKS is not a single examination, but is rather an intensive combination of at-home modules and an assessment.

Note on MATH 1179 and MATH 1189

Calculus for Life Sciences (MATH 1179) is intended as an alternative Calculus option for Biology and Environmental Science majors ONLY. This course will not meet the MATH General Education requirements for any other STEM majors (ex. Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, etc).

If you took MATH 1179 and later decide to change to a major that requires MATH 2202 (Calculus II), you must then take the 1-credit hour bridge course, MATH 1189, before you can progress into MATH 2202.