SOU uses the ALEKS system for the Math Placement. For more information about this system, and how to register for a test, please use the this link.
Click the links below to discover which math course you should take based on your math placement score (from SAT, ACT or ALEKS), or based on your completion of a math transfer course.
Math Level: Determined by ALEKS Placement Test, SAT or ACT Scores
Math Levels (MLs) expire two years from the date of the placement test or SAT or ACT. If you have a ML, make sure to take a math class before your placement expires. If you don’t know when your ML expires, contact Math Placement at MathPlacement@sou.edu.
Math Placement Score Guide:
| ALEKS Score | SAT Math Score | ACT Math Score | Math Level (ML) | Approved Math Course(s) |
| 0-9 | Below 490, need ALEKS | Below 17, need ALEKS | 60 | MTH 060 or 105 |
| 10-29 | Below 490, need ALEKS | Below 17, need ALEKS | 65 | MTH 065 or 105 |
| 30-39 | Below 490, need ALEKS | Below 17, need ALEKS | 95 | MTH 095, 105, or 243 |
| 40-44 | 490-520 | 17-19 | 100 | MTH 105, 211 or 243 or courses listed above |
| 45-59 | Above 520 | Above 19 | 111 | MTH 111 or courses listed above |
| 60-74 | Above 520, see note below | 22 and above, see below | 112 | MTH 112 or courses listed above |
| 75+ | Above 520, see note below | 22 and above, see below | 251 | MTH 251 or courses listed above |
MTH 111 is the highest placement you can acheive with SAT and ACT scores. If you believe you should be in a higher math course please take the ALEKS math placement - link above chart.
Math Transfer Level: Determind by Previously Completed Math Courses
Math Transfer Levels (MTLs) are based on a math course previously taken and transferred to SOU - AP or IB passing test scores also count. They never expire.
Math Placement Score Guide:
| Transfer Course Passed with a C- or Better | Math Transfer Level (MTL) | Approved Math Course(s) |
| MTH 060 or equivalent (Beginning Algebra) | 65 | MTH 065 or 105 |
| MTH 065 or equivalent (Elementary Algebra) | 95 | MTH 095 or 105 |
| College level math course, but no record of MTH 095 | 100 | MTH 105 or 243 or courses listed above |
| MTH 095 or equivalent (Intermediate Algebra) | 111 | MTH 111 or 211 or courses listed above |
| MTH 111 or equivalent (Pre-calculus/College Algebra) | 112 | MTH 112 or courses listed above |
| MTH 112 or equivalent (Pre-calculus/Trigonometry) | 251 | MTH 251 or courses listed above |
