Placement and Credit

No student may receive more than nine semester hours of credit in mathematics courses numbered below 1510, with two exceptions:
(a) This nine-hour limit doesn’t apply to students who are pursuing the elementary education degree and following the 12-hour sequence specified in that curriculum, and:
(b) Math 1020 and 1028 don't count in the nine-hour limit mentioned above.

A student who receives a grade of "C-" or better in Math 1431, 1510, 1530, 1540, 1550, or 1551 will automatically receive retroactive credit (with grade P) for Math 1021.
A student who receives a grade of "C-" or better in Math 1552/1553/1554 will automatically receive retroactive credit (with grade P) in Math 1022.

LSU students who are taking calculus at another institution to transfer back to LSU for credit must meet the calculus prerequisites at that institution, which in most cases is not an ALEKS PPL score. An ALEKS PPL score is not needed for transfer credit in Math 1530 or 1550.

Placement and Credit by Scores on AP, CLEP, and IB Exams

Exam	Score	Credit (P grade)	Hours	Placement
AP Precalculus	3	Math 1021	3	Math 1022, 1431
AP Precalculus	4+	Math 1021, 1022	6	Math 1431
AP Calculus AB score (or "AB subscore" on AP Calculus BC)	4+	Math 1021, 1550 ⁴	8	Math 1552/1553
AP Calculus AB score (or "AB subscore" on AP Calculus BC)	3	Math 1021 and either Math 1431 or 1530 ⁴	6	No placement. Students wanting to take Math 1530, 1550, or 1551 should see the "Universal Placement Chart" above.
AP Calculus BC	4+	Math 1021, 1022, 1550, ⁴ 1552	15	Math 2057/2058
AP Calculus BC	3	Math 1021, 1550 ⁴	8	Math 1552/1553
CLEP College Alg	50+	Math 1021	3	Math 1022, 1431, 1100, or 1029
CLEP Calculus	56+	Math 1021, 1550 ⁴	8	Math 1552/1553
IB (International Baccalaureate) Math	5	Math 1021, 1550 ⁴	8	Math 1552/1553
IB (International Baccalaureate) Math	4	Math 1021 and either Math 1431 or 1530 ⁴	6	No placement. Students wanting to take Math 1530, 1550, or 1551 should see the "Universal Placement Chart" above.
⁴ ALEKS PPL not required for credit in Math 1530 or 1550.

LSU's math placement and credit exams:

Placement exams can improve a student's initial placement; they cannot lower a student's placement. Credit exams can give advanced-standing credits. For example, students who wish to register in Math 1552 must have credit in Math 1550 or 1551. One way to earn this credit is by passing the credit exam in Math 1550.

Topics for LSU's Placement and Credit exam for College Algebra (Math 1021)
Topics for LSU's Placement and Credit exam for Trigonometry (Math 1022)
Topics (and practice problems) for LSU's Credit (not placement) exam for Differential and Integral Calculus (Math 1550)

Placement and credit exams can be taken in the Office of Testing & Evaluation Services (TES; formerly called the Office for Assessment and Evaluation; 578-1145) in 51 Himes Hall (basement). Contact that office for test time and scheduling. Arrive 30 minutes before the test time, and bring a picture ID.

Placement and Credit by Scores on LSU's Algebra, Trig, and Calculus I Placement/Credit Exams

Algebra Exam	Trig Exam	Calculus I Exam	Credit (P grade)	Placement
14 or higher	Math 1550 ⁴	Math 1552/1553
13 or higher	Math 1022	Students wanting to take Math 1510, 1530, 1550, or 1551 should click here for the ALEKS calendar.
16 or higher	Math 1021 ⁵	Math 1022, 1029, 1100, or 1431,
⁴ ALEKS PPL not required for credit in Math 1530 or 1550. ⁵ Students admitted to LSU with low MACT, MSAT, and ALEKS scores who need credit in Math 1021 can try to score 16 or higher on the Algebra exam.

Last updated June 17, 2024.