Academic Placement Guidelines

Academic placement for new students is based on standardized test results, AP/IB/CLEP credit, and/or previous college credit. Students who wish for their placement to be re-evaluated may do so with updated test results or through placement testing at UAH. We strongly advise placement re-evaluation prior to attending New Student Orientation. 

To Schedule a Testing Re-evaluation

To Send Updated ACT/SAT Scores

If you have re-taken your ACT or SAT and have updated test scores, please be sure that you have those official test scores sent to UAH’s Office of Admissions so that your file can be updated. Scores can be ordered by contacting the appropriate testing agency:

Scores can be mailed to:
UAH Office of Admissions, SSB 106
301 Sparkman Drive
Huntsville, AL 35899

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Guidelines

Mathematics

Math placement is based on your ACT (Math) and/or SAT (Math) scores. Students admitted as test-optional will be placed into one of the following courses depending upon their major: MA 105, MA 107S, MA 110S, or MA 112S.

UAH Placement Level	ACT Math Score	Redesigned SAT Math Score	UAH Placement Exam Score	Course Options for Placement Level*
0000 (Level 0)	21 or lower	490 or lower	< 40%	Level I course with supplemental instruction. S section required: MA 107S MA 110S MA 112S
1000 (Level 1)	22-24	500-590	40% - 59%	MA 107 MA 110 MA 112
2000 (Level 2)	25-27	600-630	60% - 79%	MA 113 MA 115 MA 120 MA 171S
3000 (Level 3)	28 or higher	640-800	80% or higher	MA 171

* Class choice determined by major; please consult with your academic advisor

Chemistry

Chemistry placement is based on your ACT or SAT Math placement.

UAH CH Placement Level	UAH Math Placement Level	ACT Math Score	Redesigned SAT Math Score	UAH Chemistry Placement
0000	0	19 or lower	480 or lower	N/A
0101	1000	20-24	500-590	CH 101 Introduction to Chemistry and CH 105 Lab
0121	2000-3000	25-36	600-800	CH 121 General Chemistry and CH 125 Lab

English Composition

Placement is based on your ACT English or SAT Evidence-based Reading & Writing scores, high school GPA, and/or diagnostic essay evaluation. Students admitted with no test scores will be placed into EH 101S and the co-requisite EH 101L course. Students who wish to appeal this placement should review the requirements listed on the Testing Services website.

UAH Placement Level	ACT English Score	Redesigned SAT Evidence-based Reading & Writing Score	UAH English Placement
0000	19 or lower	290 or lower	EH 101S College Writing I w/ Studio
0101	20 or higher	300 or higher	EH 101 College Writing I

UAH English Placement Level	ACT Composite Score	Redesigned SAT Composite Score	HS GPA	UAH English Placement
0103	26 or higher	1240 or higher	3.5 or higher	EH 103 - Accelerated College Writing

Foreign Language

Placement is based on the number of language courses completed in high school. Foreign language is not required for all majors. FL 101, 102, 201, and 202 are offered for Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Spanish.

UAH Placement Level	HS Units Completed in Same Language	UAH Language Placement
0101	0-2*	FL 101, FL 102
0201	3-4	FL 201, FL 202

* Minimum grade of C required for a unit to be counted.

999 Placement Level

This level indicates that you have completed college credits in the designated subject. Please see your academic advisor to determine how this affects your recommended course sequence.

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FAQs

What if I have Advanced Placement (AP) scores that give credit for a course?

To receive credit for AP exam scores you must have the official results sent directly to the Office of the Registrar from collegeboard.com (use School Code: 1854). Current year results are not available until early July. For a complete listing of AP credit awards, visit uah.edu/admissions/AP_IB.

I’ve taken additional coursework through dual enrollment or at my previous institution since I was admitted. How does that affect my placement?

If you have taken additional dual enrollment coursework or any coursework at another institution since you were originally admitted, please have your final official transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions to ensure that appropriate credit and placement are awarded.

If I elect to take one or more of the placement exams, do I have to wait until New Student Orientation to do so?

No, and due to space limitations, local students in particular may want to take the test ahead of your scheduled orientation session if possible.

Is there a cost for placement exams?

There is no cost for UAH placement exams.