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What Do My Placement Scores Mean?

All Associate degrees require at least one math course and at least one writing course.  Some Certificate programs also require math or writing. Reading is required for students who fall below a certain score. The required math and writing courses for each degree are listed on the Degree Worksheet or can also be found in the SFCC Catalog.

Your placement scores are used to place you in the level of math, writing, or reading that is right for your skill level.   If your placement scores do not place you into the course that is required for your degree, you will need to begin at the level in which you placed, and work your way through each course to the required one. 

A student may take either the ACT, the ASSET, or the COMPASS to determine his/her placement scores.  Once scores have been determined, you can use this link to download the Placement Score Equivalency Chart for math, writing and reading courses.

AN EXAMPLE:  Jessica's degree requires that she take College Algebra.  However, her placement scores place her into Elementary Algebra. She must take Elementary Algebra, pass it with a C or better, then she can complete Intermediate Algebra with a C or better, and finally she can take College Algebra.  Math classes must be taken in sequence and one must be completed with a C or better before another can be taken.  This chart shows the sequence for students needing College Algebra.  Sequences for Technical Math and Business Math can be found on the Placement Score Equivalency Chart.