Academic & Placement Placement

SAT/ACT Scores

It is essential that we have your Scholastic Aptitutude Text (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) scores on file to enroll you in the proper freshman English and math classes.  If you have taken either of these tests more than once, we strongly recommend that you have all of the scores sent to LSU since we will use the best Math and English ACT scores to award credit, the best composite score for admission purposes, and your best scores may be on more than one test.

Only scores sent directly to the University from the SAT or ACT Testing Centers are considered official. If you indicated that you wanted your scores sent to LSU when you took the SAT or ACT exam, then your official scores are on file at LSU. If you did not have the testing center send your scores directly to LSU, request that your official scores be sent immediately. To request your scores be sent:

Test   Telephone Number   LSU's Code
SAT   609-771-7600   6373
ACT   319-337-1313   1590

Remember that LSU can use unofficial SAT or ACT scores to allow you to attend freshman orientation and schedule your classes, but you must bring a copy of these scores with you.

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Math Placement

Placement in and credit for LSU math courses can be based on any one of the following :

 1) the quantitative score on the SAT (QSAT) or the math ACT (MACT)

2) the scores on the LSU Math Placement Tests for Math 1021 College Algebra, Math 1022 Trigonometry, and Math 1550 Calculus I

3) the results of the AP or CLEP exams in College Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus

 LSU Math Placement Tests for Math 1021 College Algebra and Math 1022 Trigonometry

  • Students are strongly encouraged to take the LSU Math Placement Tests to try to improve their MACT or QSAT placement and to earn course credit.  It is to their advantage to be placed in the correct course, because it is a waste of time to take a course covering material that they already know and it can be frustrating to attempt a math course with inadequate preparation. 
  • A student’s appropriate scores on the LSU Math Placement Tests can result in placement in a higher-level math course than the MACT or QSAT placement but cannot result in placement lower than the MACT or QSAT placement.  Low scores on the LSU Math Placement Tests cannot nullify any credits that a student has earned from other exams.  Sample questions similar to those on the LSU Math Placement Tests can be found at http://www.math.lsu.edu/~neal/testing.  Credit for Math 1021 College Algebra can be earned by making the required score on either the MACT, QSAT or the LSU Math Placement Test for College Algebra, and credit in Math 1022 Trigonometry can be earned by the LSU Math Placement Test for Trigonometry but not the QSAT or the MACT score.
  • The LSU placement tests are a better predictor of success in algebra and trigonometry than either the ACT or SAT exams. 
  • The College Algebra Placement Test is NOT available during orientation.  To schedule this test, please contact the Office of Assessment and Evaluation at 225-578-1145. 

 Retroactive Credit for Math 1021 College Algebra and Math 1022 Trigonometry

  • If a student’s initial placement is Math 1431, 1441, or 1550 and he/she receives a grade of “C” or better in one of these courses, then he/she can receive retroactive credit for Math 1021 (if needed).
  • If a student receives a grade of “C” or better in Math 1552/1553/1554, then retroactive credit in Math 1022 can be awarded if required by the student’s degree program.

 Math 1023 Precalculus

  • Math 1023 Precalculus is recommended only for students who plan to take Math 1550 Calculus I.Math 1023 is a 5-hour course, and this course alone does not fulfill the 6-hour GenEd Analytical Reasoning requirement.
  • A student may not earn credit in both Math 1021 and 1023, or in 1022 and 1023, since the 1023 course duplicates the content in both Math 1021 and Math 1022.

Math 1029 Contemporary Mathematics and Math 1100 The Nature of Mathematics

  • Math 1029 Contemporary Mathematics and Math 1100 The Nature of Mathematics are intended primarily for liberal arts and some social sciences majors.There are no course prerequisites for either Math 1029 or Math 1100, and the two courses may be taken in either order.Math 1100 is not offered in spring semesters.
  • Both Math 1029 and Math 1100 are GenEd courses and may be used either together or individually with any other GenEd analytical reasoning course to fulfill the 6-hour GenEd analytical reasoning requirement.

 Math 1431 Business Calculus

  • Math 1431 Business Calculus does not require knowledge of trigonometry.

 Credit for Math 1550 Calculus I, Math 1552 Calculus II, and other courses

  • Credit for Math 1550 Calculus I may be earned either by an AP or CLEP Calculus exam or by the LSU Placement Test for Calculus.  Credit in Math 1552 may be earned by the AP Calculus BC exam or by an LSU departmental credit exam.  Credit in more advanced math courses may be obtained through departmental credit exams; contact the department for more information about these.
  • The AP Statistics exam does not currently provide advanced-standing credit for any course offered by the math department.

 MACT score below 20

  • Students who have a score of 19 or below on the MACT are generally not placed into Math 1021.  The remedial algebra course MATH 0092 is no longer offered at LSU.  Students needing remedial algebra must either take Math 0092 at BRCC or Southern, take the course through Continuing Ed, or sign a Math Waiver (get from UCFY) to take Math 1021 regardless of the warning that success is unlikely.  Students with a MACT of 18 or 19 can be successful in Math 1021 but only if the student has a very strong work ethic and invests a lot of time in the math lab. 

 

MATH PLACEMENT BY MACT OR QSAT SCORES
MACT Score QSAT Score LSU course credited Placement
27 or higher 610 or higher Math 1021 Math 1431, 1441, 1550, or 1551or lower
25–26 570–609 Math 1021 Math 1022, 1029, 1100 or 1431
23–24 540–569   Math 1021, 1023, 1029, or 1100
20–22 480–539   Math 1021, 1029, or 1100
18–19 430–479   Off-campus intermediate algebra, Math 1029, or 1100
Below 18 Below 430   Off-campus intermediate algebra

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English Placement

Your SAT or ACT score will determine your initial placement in either English 1001 or 2000 or will grant you an exemption from the first-year writing requirement. If you feel that you have been incorrectly placed, you will have the opportunity to challenge this placement by writing an essay, which you may submit online in mid June, July, or August.  You will receive your scores approximately two weeks after you submit your essay.  You can find more information at the following URL:  http://www.lsu.edu/uwp/assess/placement.html 

You will be placed in the appropriate class on the basis of your essay. Your score on the LSU writing exam can result in placement in a higher-level English course but not in a placement lower than your initial placement. The chart below illustrates your initial English placement.

ENGLISH PLACEMENT BY ACT OR SAT SCORES
ACT English Score ACT English Score + Composite* SAT Critical Reading Score Course Credited

Placement
  65 minimum (or 5 on the part of the CEEB exam) 730 or higher

ENGL 1001

ENGL 2000

Exempt from English Composition
26 or higher 53 minimum 610 - 720 ENGL 1001 ENGL 2000 to be taken sophomore year
18 or higher 38 minimum 410 - 600   ENGL 1001
* For example, if you have an English ACT score of 20 and a composite ACT score of 21, you will be placed in English 1001

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Opportunities for Placement and Advanced-Standing Credit

Scores on the advanced-standing exams are used to award course credit and to ensure proper course placement. Although a specific test can only be attempted once, you may take as many different advanced-standing exams as you like at no additional cost.

You have nothing to lose by attempting an exam. If you do not pass the exam, nothing is entered on your academic record. If you receive a passing score on an exam and you enroll at LSU within two years, a grade of “P” (passed) and regular LSU credit are entered on your academic record. The “P” grade does not affect your earned LSU grade-point average.

Credit hours earned at the Freshman Orientation, Advising, and Pre-registration Program can be used only at the LSU-Baton Rouge campus and will appear on your student record upon completion of your first semester at LSU.

RECOMMENDED EXAMS BY SENIOR COLLEGE
    Calculus Chemistry Foreign Language Physics Trigonometry
Agriculture     X     X
Art & Design   X       X
Arts & Sciences       X*    
Basic Sciences   X* X X X X*
Business   X        
Education            
   ELED/PK3            
   SECED (ART)++       X   X
   Kinesiology     X X   X
Engineering   X X X X X
Mass Communications     X X X X
Music & Dramatic Arts   X X X   X
   Music     X X   X
   Theatre     X X   X
Undeclared**            

*Required if course was taken in high school.
**Undeclared students should also attempt any exams for which they have high school credit.

++Program temporarily suspended.  This  notation will be removed when the revised program is approved.

You are encouraged to take as many placement exams as possible. Please review the chart above that outlines exam recommendations based on the suggestions of senior college advisers in each respective area.

Please also review the following guidelines when making desicions about which placement exams to attempt:

  1. You should take a foreign language exam if you have received high school credit in that language and plan to take classes in that language at LSU.
  2. If you have less than two years of high school Spanish and plan to take Spanish at LSU, you may attempt the Spanish placement exam, but it is not required.  If you choose not to take the Spanish placement exam, you will be placed in Spanish 1101.
  3. However, if you have two or more years of high school Spanish and plan to take Spanish at LSU, you MUST take the Spanish placement exam at orientation or before the last day to add classes for the semester you enter LSU.  If you have two or more years of high school Spanish, you will not be placed lower than Spanish 1152.
  4. Chemistry, Geology, and Physics majors MUST schedule the Trigonometry and Physics exams.
  5. Biochemistry, Microbiology, Computer Science and Biology majors MUST schedule the Trigonometry exam.
  6. Also, select the Physics exam if you are interested in engineering. 

The following is a list of exams offered:

.

  1. Calculus I (5 semester hours credit) – The calculus examination covers college-level work. If you have a strong background in algebra, trigonometry, and college-level calculus, you may want to take this exam. Typically only about 10 percent of students attempting this exam receive advanced-standing credit for calculus. Topics include limits; continuity; derivations of polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions; tangent line to a curve; velocity; chain rule; implicit differentiation; properties of graphs (maxima, minima, inflection points); related rates; applied optimization problems; antiderivatives; integration by substitution; and applications of integration (area of a plane region, volume of a solid of revolution, work).
  2. Chemistry (3 semester hours credit) – Non-graphing calculators are permitted. This examination is recommended for students whose M-ACT scores are at least 24 and who feel that their performance in high school chemistry may qualify them for advanced placement in chemistry at LSU. Topics include atomic structure, chemical bonding, theory of gases and liquids, stoichemistry, and elementary thermochemistry.
  3. Foreign Language (4-14 semester hours credit) – All beginning freshman who have high school credit in French, German, or Latin and wish to continue studying the same language at LSU are required to take the placement examination in that language. The examination score determines the course level at which you begin study of this language at LSU. You can receive advanced credit for each course prerequisite to the course of initial placement, up to a maximum of 14 hours of credit. Students with high school credit in Spanish should refer to the section on Spanish below.
  4. Physics (3 semester hours credit) – Non-graphing calculators are permitted. Students with strong backgrounds in high school physics and students who are interested in majoring in engineering or one of the physical sciences should take this exam. The test in physics includes topics ordinarily covered in high school physics courses. It will consist of multiple-choice questions on the following: units, scientific notation, graph interpretation, significant figures, vectors, velocity, acceleration, Newton’s laws of motion, uniform circular motion, work, kinetic energy, and gravity.
  5. Spanish (4-14 semester hours credit) – If you have had less than two years of high school Spanish and plan to take Spanish at LSU, you may attempt the Spanish placement exam, but it is not required. If you choose not to take the Spanish placement exam and have less than two years of high school Spanish, you will be placed in Spanish 1101. However, if you have two or more years of high school Spanish and plan to take Spanish at LSU, you MUST take the Spanish placement exam at orientation or before the last day to add classes for the semester that you enter LSU. If you have two or more years of high school Spanish, you will not be placed lower than Spanish 1152.
  6. Trigonometry (3 semester hours credit) – This placement test is not required, but is strongly recommended. The algebra portion of the exam covers the following topics: linear equations and inequalities, factoring, radical expressions, rational exponents, logarithms and exponential functions, polynomial functions, graphs of functions, and systems of two linear equations. The trigonometry portion of the exam covers: radian measure, trigonometric functions and their graphs, trigonometric identities, inverse trigonometric functions, and solving triangles. Visit www.math.lsu.edu/ugrad/testing for sample questions.
  7. Other – LSU awards credit in recognition of acceptable scores achieved on advanced placement (AP) examinations of the College Board, subject examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations. If you have taken any of these examinations, you should inquire at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions about credit that may be awarded to you on either basis or refer to the LSU General Catalog.

During the early days of the fall semester, you may request the LSU departmental advanced-standing examinations on an individual basis with the academic department(s) concerned. These examinations are free if completed by the final date to add courses for credit during your first term of enrollment at LSU. Upon enrollment, contact a Center for Freshman Year counselor to assist with the scheduling of these tests.

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Senior Colleges

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Majors

View a list of majors on the Office of Undergraduate Admissions & Student Aid Web site.

If you do not see your area of interest listed on this page, a representative at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Student Aid (225-578-1175 or admissions@lsu.edu) or a counselor at the University College Center for Freshman Year (225-578-6822 or ucinfo@lsu.edu) can assist you.

You may also view the LSU General Catalog for more detailied information.

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AP—The Advanced-Placement Program of the College Board

About one-fourth of American secondary schools currently participate in the Advanced-Placement Program of the College Board. Each May, AP examinations are administered (by the College Board) to students who have participated in the program. Advanced-Placement credit will be granted in appropriate subjects to freshmen who earn a grade of 3, 4, or 5 on Advanced- Placement subject examinations, as specified in the chart provided. (Note—the specific history course will be decided after the department interviews the student.) Departmental recommendations are subject to change. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for current recommendations.

For information about general program data and policies, contact either Advanced- Placement Program, The College Board, 45 Columbia Ave., New York, NY 10023-6917; or the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 110 Thomas Boyd Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803.

LSU ADVANCED-PLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR ENTERING FRESHMEN
Examination Minimum Score Courses Hours Credit
Art, History 3 ARTH 1440 or 1441 3
4 ARTH 1440, 1441 6
Biology 3 BIOL 1201, 1202 6
4 BIOL 1201, 1202, 1208, & 1209 8
Chemistry 3 CHEM 1201, 1202 6
4 CHEM 1421, 1422 6
Computer Science A 3 CSC 1248 3
Computer Science AB 3 CSC 1248 3
4 CSC 1253 or 1350 3
5 CSC 1253 or 1350 and 3
CSC 1254 or 1351 6
Economics: Microeconomics 4 ECON 2000 3
Economics: Macroeconomics 4 ECON 2010 3
English Language & Composition 3 ENGL 1001 3
4 ENGL 1001 and 2025 or 2027 or 2029 or 2123 6
5 ENGL 1001, 2025 or 2027 or 2029 or 2123, and 2000 9
English Literature   Same as above  
Environmental Science 3 EMS 1001/ENVS 1000 3
French Language 3 FREN 1001, 1002 8
4 FREN 1001, 1002, 2101 11
5 FREN 1001, 1002, 2101, 2102 14
German Language 3 GERM 1101, 1102 8
Government, U.S. Politics 4 POLI 2051 3
Government, Politics (Comparative) 4 POLI 2053 3
History, American 3 HIST 2055 or 2057 3
4 HIST 2055, 2057 6
History, European 3 HIST 1003 3
4 HIST 2021, 2022 6
History, World 4 HIST 1007 3
Latin 3 LATN 1001, 2051 8
4 LATN 1001, 2051, 2053 11
Mathematics: Calculus AB 3 MATH 1431 or 1441 3
4 MATH 1550 5
Mathematics: Calculus BC 3 MATH 1550 5
4 MATH 1550, 1552 9
Music Theory 4 MUS 1799 3
Physics B 3 PHYS 2001 3
4 PHYS 2001, 2002 6
Physics C: Mechanics 3 PHYS 1101 3
Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 3 PHYS 2102 3
Psychology 4 PSYC 2000 3
Spanish 3 SPAN 1101 and 1102 8
4 SPAN 1101, 1102, and 2101 11
5 SPAN 1101, 1102, 2101, and 2102 14
Spanish Literature   Same as above  
Statistics 4 ISDS 2000 3

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CLEP—Subject Examinations of the College Level Examination Program

Policies governing minimum required scores and the acceptance of credit are established by the appropriate academic departments. LSU allows credit on CLEP subject examinations in 20 areas. (Credit is not allowed for CLEP general examinations.) Departmental course credit recommendations for satisfactory scores on CLEP subject examinations are included in the table provided. Department recommendations are subject to change. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for current recommendations and information on general program data and policies.

CLEP SUBJECT EXAMINATIONS
CLEPSubject Examination Minimum Score LSU Equivalent Sem. Hrs.
American Government 58 POLI 2051 3
American History I 50 HIST 2055 3
American History II 50 HIST 2057 3
Calculus with Elementary Functions 56 MATH 1550 5
College Algebra 50 MATH 1021 3
College Composition 58 ENGL 1000/1001 3
College French 35 FREN 1001 4
39 FREN 1001, 1002 8
45 FREN 1001, 1002, 2101 11
50 FREN 1001, 1002, 2101, 2102 14
College German 40 GERM 1101 4
48 GERM 1101, 1102 8
54 GERM 1101, 1102, 2101 11
61 GERM 1101, 1102, 2101, 2102 14
College Spanish 40 SPAN 1101 4
48 SPAN 1101, 1102 8
54 SPAN 1101, 1102, 2101 11
61 SPAN 1101, 1102, 2101, and 2102 14
Human Growth and Development 52 PSYC 2076 3
Introduction to Educational Psychology 52 PSYC 2060 3
Introductory Psychology 55 PSYC 2000 3
Introductory Sociology 46 SOCL 2001 3
Trigonometry 50 MATH 1022 3

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IB—International Baccalaureate

A number of American and secondary schools abroad participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. This is a comprehensive two-year curriculum leading to examinations and a possible IB diploma if the requirements of the full program are satisfied. Students are encouraged to submit their IB diploma record or examination results with their application to the University for evaluation. Advanced placement credit may be granted in appropriate subjects to freshmen who earn a grade of 4 or better on the IB higher level examinations. Credit is not allowed for IB subsidiary level examinations.

Policies governing minimum required scores and the acceptance of credit of IB examinations are established by the National Council on the Evaluation of Foreign Credentials and by the appropriate academic departments. Current departmental recommendations may be obtained by contacting the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE ADVANCED PLACEMENT CREDIT*
Subject Score Credit
Biology 2003—syllabus 4 BIOL 1201 (3), 1202 (3)
5 BIOL 1201 (3), 1202 (3), 1209 (1)
Chemistry 2003—syllabus 4 CHEM 1201 (3)
5 CHEM 1201 (3), 1202 (3), 1212 (2)
Computer Science 4 CSC 1248 (3)
5 CSC 1253 (3) or 1350 (3)
Economics 5 ECON 2030 (3)
English Literature (A1) 4 ENGL 2025 (3)
5 ENGL 2025 (3), 2027 (3)
History—Modern Europe 4 HIST 2022 (3)
5 HIST 2023 (3)
History—2003 syllabus 4 HIST 1007 (3)
History—all other 4 HIST 2**** (3)
Language A1: English 4 ENGL 2025 (3)
5 ENGL 2025 (3), 2027 (3)
Mathematics 4 MATH 1021 (3), 1431 (3)
5 MATH 1021 (3), 1550 (3)
Music—2002 syllabus 4 MUS 1751 (3)
5 MUS 1751 (3), 1799 (3)
Physics—2003 syllabus 4 PHYS 2001 (3)
  5 PHYS 2001 (3), 2002 (3)
Psychology 4 PSYC 2000 (3)
Visual Arts—2003 syllabus 4 ART 1001 (3)
Other HL’s 4 3 credit hours by title (1***)
*Advanced Placement credit given for Higher Level (HL) exams only, with grades of 4 or higher.

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