Course Placement Information

English Course Placement

Students who have not earned credit for English Composition (EH 101) with a grade of C or better must take the English Placement Survey and Writing Sample.

Exceptions

• Minimum score of 20 on both the English and Reading sub-scores of the ACT.
• Minimum Reading test score of 26 on the SAT.
• Have received transfer credit for EH 101 with a C or better (includes dual enrollment credit).
• Have earned college credit for EH 101 based on qualifying AP, IB, AICE, or CLEP scores.
• International students (see below)

Test-Optional students may use ACT or SAT sub-scores to satisfy requirements. If you did not send scores to UAB and wish to have them utilized for placement purposes, please send your scores to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at least two weeks prior to your Blazer Beginnings session.

Deadline

You must complete the English Placement Survey and Writing Sample at least two weeks before you attend Blazer Beginnings, UAB's orientation program. If you submit your materials later than this two-week window, you run the risk of not having results prior to registering for classes.

International Students

International students who meet the following requirements will be placed in EH 101 (English Composition I):

• Minimum TOEFL Writing sub-score of 23
• Minimum TOEFL Essentials Writing sub-score of 7.0
• IELTS Writing sub-score of 6.0

International students who meet the following requirements will be placed in EH 108 (English Composition for Second Language Writers):

• Minimum TOEFL Writing sub-score of 16-22
• Minimum TOEFL Essentials Writing sub-score of 6.5 – 6.9
• IELTS Writing sub-score of 5.5 – 5.9

If you do not have the score requirements to place in EH 101 or EH 108, you will be placed in the requisite course in UAB’s INTO Program.

Math Course Placement

Students who have no math credit or no math credit above the remedial level who wish to register for a math course at UAB must take the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment (MPA).

• Students must be admitted to the university before they can access the MPA.
• The MPA is provided at no cost to the student.
• Students who have no math credit, no math credit above the remedial level, or choose not take the Math Placement Assessment must register for MA 094 (Basic Mathematics) or MA 098 (Basic Algebra).
• Students awaiting alternative credit score reports (i.e. AP, CLEP, AICE, DSST, etc.) should take the MPA and register for the highest math course in which they placed. Once scores are submitted, students can adjust their registration accordingly. Alternative credit score reports should be sent to UAB as soon as possible.

Note: Keep in mind that if you do not complete the Math Placement Assessment and are placed in remedial-level math, registration for science courses and timely completion of any science-dependent major will be delayed/impacted.

Exceptions

1. First-time freshmen who have an ACT math sub-score of 29 or SAT math score of 680. Students who meet this requirement will automatically place in MA 125 (Calculus I).


2. Incoming students who have earned college credit for a 100-level, college math course or higher with a grade of “C” or higher (excludes remedial college math and MA 110 – Finite Mathematics*). College credit, including dual enrollment credit, must be earned from a regionally accredited 2-year or 4-year institution. Examples of 100-level math courses are Intermediate Algebra, Pre-Calculus Algebra, Pre-Calculus Trigonometry, Calculus, Calculus II, etc. If you’re unsure whether you are required to take the MPA, contact your  academic advisor.


3. Students who have earned college credit for math based on having received qualifying AP, IB, AICE, or CLEP scores (excludes MA 180 – Statistics). Review the list of qualifying scores.

*Students who have earned credit for MA 110 but require additional math to meet degree requirements, should take the Math Placement Assessment.

World Language Course Placement

If you have never taken a world language course, you do not need to take a world language placement test. You will begin with a 101 world language course.

It is recommended that you take a world language placement test if:

• You have had one or more years of world language in high school (within the last two years)
• You wish to take courses in French, Spanish, German, and Chinese.

If you wish to take courses in Arabic, Portuguese, Italian, or Japanese, please contact the Department of World Languages and Literatures to ensure appropriate placement.

If your native language is French, German, or Spanish, you cannot take a beginning course in your world language for credit. It is recommended that you take the world language placement test to determine the appropriate level course to register for.