GEN 103 & 104

Mathematics course placement is based on the student’s highest ACT or SAT Mathematics sub-score or Accuplacer score as listed in the table below. 

• Students with ACT/SAT Math Sub-score less than the sub-score needed for initial placement in the desired course should take a placement exam, Accuplacer.  This exam can give you the opportunity to increase your math placement. Students will be placed in the highest math course based on either ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer.
• Students with no placement scores will be required to enroll in GEN 103, the lowest intervention math course.  To possibly increase placement, students are strongly encouraged to take Accuplacer.

All students should verify their degree program's Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (QR) course requirements with an academic advisor from the appropriate department.

GEN 103/104 Notes:

• Students should enroll in GEN 103 if all of their placement scores fall into the indicated range for GEN 103. For example:
  • If a student has an ACT score of 18 and an Accuplacer score of ARTH 253, that student should be enrolled in GEN 103.
  • If a student has an ACT score of 20 and an Accuplacer score of ARTH 253, that student should not be enrolled in GEN 103. This student is eligible for:
     
    • Math 105, Math 106, or a QR course outside of Math Department.
    • GEN 104 if their major requires a QR course in the Math Department for a STEM major (Math 111, Math 180, etc.)
• Students should enroll in GEN 104 if their highest placement scores fall into the indicated range for GEN 104 and they need a math course for a STEM major. For example:
  • If a student has an ACT score of 19 and an Accuplacer score of ARTH 254, that student should be enrolled in GEN 104.
     
  • If a student has an ACT score of 23 and an Accuplacer score of ARTH 274, that student should not be enrolled in GEN 104. This student is eligible for Math 105, Math 106, Math 109, Math 111, or a QR course outside of the Math Department.

Prerequisite Note: Successful completion of MATH 105 or QR courses outside of Mathematics/Engineering DOES NOT qualify a student for any higher numbered MATH course such as Math 109, 111, 180, 190 etc.

Engineering Note: This table does not included QR courses in Engineering

ACT Note: ACT scores are good for two years for placement in a math course.

Registering for the Accuplacer Math Exam

Students whose scores on the ACCUPLACER Next Generation ARTH exam are between 200-262 will be required to register for GEN 103 and those who score between 263-300 will be required to register for GEN 104.

Options:

There are currently 4 options for taking the Accuplacer at the University of Louisville:

At Home: Microsoft Teams- $25

Monday - Thursday between 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

If there are no times available, please call to see if we can open at seat for you. 502-852-6606.

IN-PERSON - $15

Monday – Thursday between 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. on UofL's campus by appointment.

• Check with your High School Counselor for "excused absence" permission. During testing appointment, ask staff for "excuse note".
• Directions and Parking information can be found here: Frequently Asked Questions | Testing Services

ANYTIME (through ProctorU) - $28

At your convenience, including weekends, evenings

• Make sure you have a computer, web cam, high speed internet connection, and private, undisturbed environment to test.
• Once you register for a ProctorU voucher, within 2 business days you will receive an email with the voucher code and instructions on how to schedule your exam.

WAIVER (take it for free) - $0

Must meet qualifications for free and reduced lunch.

• Call Testing Services at 502-852-6606 for verification and scheduling. ProctorU not an option with waiver.

The MATH Accuplacer test consists of 3 sections (20+ questions each). You must score a 276 or higher on each section to advance to the next section. The test starts out with Arithmetic, if you score 276+ you advance to Quantitative Reasoning and finally to Advanced Algebraic Functions. You MUST always start with the Arithmetic section when taking the math Accuplacer. Unless you are retesting, in which you can start in the last section you completed with a score of 276 or higher.

NO SHOW POLICY:

Since there are a limited number of Accuplacer sessions, once you schedule your appointment time, reschedule at least 48 hours prior to your appointment to avoid the NO SHOW penalty. If you miss your appointment time or are over 15 minutes late, you MUST reschedule your testing appointment with Examity and will be required to pay their $25 testing fee.

RETESTING POLICY:

Students are allowed to retest on Accuplacer once advised by their advisor/testing staff about their scores and corresponding course placement. You may retest on either/both the Math or Reading Accuplacer.

The testing fee will be collected upon each administration according to the option used for testing

SCORE EXPIRATION POLICY:

Students with SAT, ACT or Accuplacer scores older than one year should register to take the Accuplacer for a more accurate math course placement.

ADA Accommodations:

If you have received ADA accommodations such as reduced distraction, a reader or a scribe from UofL's Disabilities Resource Center (502-852-6938), please call our office BEFORE scheduling any exam.

The ACCUPLACER placement exams are UNTIMED, so no ADA accommodations are required for extended time candidates.

You should always check with your Academic Advisor if you have questions and before registering for classes.

The role of campus advisors with GEN 103/104

• Advisors play a crucial role by ensuring that students who do not meet college readiness indicators register for the appropriate intervention math class based on test scores and the students’ majors.
• Advisors should use the highest placement score to determine course placement. For example, if a student scores higher on Accuplacer than the ACT or SAT, they should use the Accuplacer score to determine course placement.
• Advisors are encouraged to refer students to Testing Services to take the Accuplacer exam if there are no test scores on file. This can help ensure that a student does not register for either GEN 103 or 104 if they do not need the course(s). This saves time and money for students.
• GEN 103 helps prepare students for their quantitative reasoning (QR) requirement, and GEN 104 prepares students for College Algebra (Math 111).
• GEN 103 and 104 use computer assisted instruction (CAI) to facilitate our emporium-instructional model. This replaces traditional lecture with interactive software and on-demand personalized assistance for students. REACH tutors are embedded with instructors in our courses. To learn more, go to https://www.thencat.org/PlanRes/R2R_Model_Emp.htm

Why should students take math during their first semester of enrollment?

• Research shows that students who enroll in math classes their first semester of college are more likely to thrive and be retained compared to students who wait until later in their college career.
• Taking math early in college enables students to build success and pursue STEM-based majors.
• Students who delay taking math early do not perform as well as students who take it early in their college career.

State Law

• Kentucky state law 13 KAR 2.02 (https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/013/002/020/) requires all postsecondary institutions that admit students who are identified as not meeting college readiness indicators to address skill and content knowledge deficiencies. UofL/REACH offers GEN 103 and 104 to fulfill this state requirement.
• Students are expected to complete their “credit-bearing” math class for their major within the first three semesters of enrollment.
• Students who apply as test optional and do not take a standardized test (ACT, SAT, Accuplacer) will be required to enroll in GEN 103 and/or GEN 104.

UofL reporting requirements

• The Kentucky Council for Postsecondary Education (CPE) requires Institutional Research to report on the number and percentage of students who successfully complete their “credit-bearing” math class within the first three semesters of enrollment.