Math Placement
All new students (Freshman and Transfers) must register for the Math Placement Test through their GoSolar account prior to their Incept Orientation and should not attend walk-in math placement test dates. If you experience difficulty registering through your GoSolar account, please contact New Student Programs at 404-413-1574. Current GSU students that are already attending courses may attend the walk-in math placement test dates.
- Taking the Math Placement Test
Information on how to register for the math placement test.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions regarding the math placement test.
Requirements Regarding Math Placement Testing
All students who have not completed the math requirement in Area A of the college level core curriculum are required to take a math placement test that will assess their skills and place them in an appropriate math course (some exceptions noted below). Math 1111 (College Algebra) and higher math courses require specific placement test scores as a prerequisite. The math placement test should be taken before attending Incept Orientation or before attempting to register for a math course of Math 1111 or higher. The math placement is not offered on Incept dates throughout the summer for Fall Semester with the exception of Incept scheduled on August 15 and 17.
A note about the Area A math requirement
Students majoring in biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, science and math education, and physics are required to take Math 1113 (Precalculus) or higher in Area A. Prerequisites are an appropriate placement test score or a C or higher in Math 1111 (College Algebra). Math 1111 prerequisites are an appropriate placement test score or a C or higher in Math 0099 (Intermediate Algebra). Math 1101 is NOT a prerequisite for Math 1111.
All other majors may choose to satisfy Area A with Math 1101 (Intro to Mathematical Modeling), (note: Math 1101 does NOT require the placement test), or a higher-level math course (note: all higher level math courses require the math placement test). Math 1101 is not preparation for any other math course (i.e., it does not serve as a prerequisite for Math 1111), but is an option for non-science/non-math majors not intending to continue with more math courses.
Freshmen Learning Communities
Students intending to choose a learning community with Math 1111 must take the placement test before attending Incept and earn the appropriate score required for Math 1111 (see required scores below).
Description of Test
GSU uses the COMPASS exam (designed by ACT) as a math placement exam to help accurately place students in college math courses. The test administered at GSU may include the following two areas: algebra and trigonometry. The number of areas in which a student will be tested will depend upon the student's level of ability. All students will take items in the area of algebra. The score on the algebra section will determine if a student takes items in the area of trigonometry. Go to the following website to view a few sample questions for each of the two math sections (algebra and trigonometry): www.act.org/compass/sample/math.html.
Test Fee
There is no test fee for taking the math placement test for the first time. Students must pay $50.00 to re-take the math placement test. Payment should be in the form of a check or money order and made payable to GSU.
Test Day
On the day of the test, candidates are to bring one (1) form of photo-bearing identification.
Test fee payment of $50.00 is required if student is retaking the exam (see TEST FEE section above).
Scratch paper will be provided at the exam.
An on-line (Windows based) calculator is provided within the software for this exam, however, students are allowed to use their own calculators. Only basic or scientific calculators are allowed ... graphing calculators are NOT allowed.
No food or drink (including water) is allowed in the testing labs.
Cell phones and other electronics MUST be turned OFF during the entire testing period.
