Math Placement
Placement into Math Classes
Students may place into Math using one of the multiple measure or placement options. For example, your placement into math may be determined by a previous math course, a previous placement test, or another method.
What placement options do I have?
Under the Washington State Placement Reciprocity Agreement, North Seattle College will accept your English and Math placement scores from other Washington State community and technical colleges to use for comparable class placement at North.
Course placement recommendations and placement tests must have been determined within the previous year and are valid for 12 months from the date you received your original placement results.
Please note that no credit is awarded during placement. Unofficial college transcripts and unofficial exam scores (AP, IB, CI) are used only for class placement. To earn credit from the exam scores or college transcripts, you must submit official results or transcripts and follow steps for credit evaluation.
English and Math placement will be recorded from unofficial college transcripts and exam scores.
- Placement may be recorded for other subjects with a pre-requisite sequence, such as Accounting, Biology, and Chemistry, that will allow you to register for the next course in the sequence.
- To determine eligibility for other subjects, connect with your assigned Area of Study Advisor or Retention Specialist.
Exam for Credit Options:
- Review the Advanced Placement (AP) Table for course equivalencies and placement levels.
- Review the International Baccalaureate (IB) Table for course equivalencies and placement levels.
- Review the Cambridge International (CI) A-Level Table for course equivalencies and placement levels.
If you went to a Seattle Public Schools high school within the last two years, please review the Seattle Public High School Math placement options.
At North Seattle College, Math placement expires within 1 year.
Smarter Balanced (SBAC)
Scores Needed Math Placement Level 3 or higher and B or higher in high school algebra 2 and one math course in high school junior or senior year a C or higher MATH&107, MATH 116, or MATH&146 3 or higher and B or higher in “Bridge to College Math” class as a high school senior MATH&107, MATH 116, or MATH&146 3 or higher and B or higher in high school pre-calculus or higher MATH&141 Bridge to College Math in Senior Year
Grade Needed Math Placement Level B or higher in the second semester MATH 107 or MATH&146 only SAT
Score Needed Math Placement Level 520 or higher MATH&107 only ACT
Scores Needed Math Placement Level 22 MATH&107 only 23-24 MATH 116, MATH&141, or MATH&146 25 or higher MATH&148 or MATH&151 ALEKS
Scores Needed Math Placement Level 0-14 ABE 81 or MATH 81 15-31 ABE 84, MATH 84, or MATH 97 32-41 ABE 85 or MATH 85 42-46 MATH 98 47-49 MATH&107 or MATH&146 50-63 MATH 116 or MATH&141 64-78 MATH&142, MATH&148, or MATH 211 79-100 MATH&151
Math Directed Self-Placement (Math DSP)
The Math Directed Self-Placement (Math DSP) is an alternative to standardized placement processes for Math placement. It is a self-guided survey to help you reflect on your current knowledge. By answering a few questions, the tool accesses your proficiency and recommends the right Math course for you to start with. Upon completion of the tool, you can choose your own courses to register or speak with an advisor. The Advising team can help make sure that you are registering for the appropriate class based on your results and program of study. Our Math DSP is untimed and ungraded.
Students can complete the Math DSP on a computer, tablet, or cell phone with a large screen. If needed, students can complete the Math DSP in one of our Student Computer Labs.
Take the Math Directed Self Placement
North DSP scores will be uploaded to your ctcLink account within 2 business days.
Need help registering for the class(es) you placed into? Learn how to register in ctcLink.If, after 2 business days, you are still unable to register for the class(es) you placed into, please email NSCTesting@seattlecolleges.edu for assistance.
Learn more about our Math Course Sequence & Pathways