Qualifying Test Scores
Placement assessments are given to determine your proficiency in the areas of reading, writing, and math so that you are placed into the correct classes for your first semester at Columbus State. If you have already taken a standardized test (ACT or SAT), or earned college credit in these subjects, you may not need to take the placement assessment.
Check the chart below to see if you have one of the College Recognized Equivalent test scores or college credit in each subject to be placed into a college-level course. If you have ONE of the items in an area, you will not be required to take the placement assessment for that area. It is recommended that if your score is lower than those listed, you take the placement assessment. Lower scores may be used but will place you into courses that are below the college level. Taking the assessment will allow us to determine your most accurate starting point.
Qualifying Scores
Writing
Source | Qualifying Score/Measure |
ACT (Taken in the last 10 years) | 18 or higher |
SAT (Taken in the last 10 years) | Writing & Essay score of 450 or higher (February 2016 or prior) Evidence-Based Reading & Writing score of 480 or higher (March 2016 or later) |
Qualifying College English Credit | Official transcript with qualifying credit for college-level English or Composition |
AP Score | Score of 3 or above on the test for AP ENG Lang/Comp or Lit/Comp or Lang or Lit |
High School Transcript (Graduated in the last 10 years) | Unweighted GPA - 3.0 or higher |
GED - Reasoning through Language Arts (Earned in the last 10 years) | GED Reasoning Through Language Arts (if GED earned since 01/01/2014) score of 165 or higher |
Reading
Source | Qualifying Score/Measure |
ACT (Taken in the last 10 years) | 22 or higher |
SAT (Taken in the last 10 years) | Critical Reading score of 450 or higher (February 2016 or prior) Evidence-Based Reading & Writing score of 480 or higher (March 2016 or later) |
Qualifying College English Credit | Official transcript with qualifying credit for college-level English or Composition* *Some majors may still require the reading placement assessment. |
High School Transcript (Graduated in the last 10 years) | Unweighted GPA - 3.0 or higher |
GED - Reasoning through Language Arts (Earned in the last 10 years) | 165 or higher (If GED earned since 01/01/2014) |
Math
Source | Qualifying Score/Measure |
ACT (Taken in the last 10 years) | 20 or higher |
SAT (Taken in the last 10 years) | 510 or higher |
Qualifying College Math Credit | Official transcript with qualifying credit for college-level Math |
AP Score | Score of 3 or above on a test for AP Calculus AB or Calculus BC or Statistics |
CLEP Score | 69 or higher in Calculus with Elementary Functions or College Mathematics |
High School Transcript (Graduated in the last 10 years) | Unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher OR Unweighted GPA of 2.6 or higher and "C" or higher in last math class (equivalent to Algebra II or higher) |
GED - Math (Earned in the last 10 years) | 165 or higher (If GED earned since 01/01/2014) |