Course Placement & Testing

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://ecatalog.socc.edu.

Southwestern strives to place students into math and writing courses appropriate to their academic development.  This is typically done through standardized testing (ACT, SAT, Accuplacer, GED).  Alternatively, students may be placed into appropriate coursework using a Multiple Measures placement process.  During this process intake advisors will look at previous coursework taken, how long it has been since your last class, and other relevant factors. 

The below charts are used by college staff to navigate your placement process. Questions? Call an advisor at 541-888-7405 or email ssc@socc.edu.

Math Placement Chart

High School Measures (took full year of Math within the past year)

Test/Class Score/Grade Placement
Calculus A, B, or C MTH251
Calculus D MTH105/111/211/243
Pre-Calculus A or B MTH105/111/211/243
Pre-Calculus C w/ H.S. GPD higher than 3.0 MTH105/111/211/243
Pre-Calculus C w/ H.S. GPA lower than 3.0 MTH95/98
Pre-Calculus D MTH65/98
Statistics/Algebra II A or B w/ H.S. CPA 3.0 or higher MTH105/111/211/243
Statistics/Algebra II B w/ H.S. GPA lower than 3.0 MTH95/98
Statistics/Algebra II C or D MTH65/98
Geometry/Financial Alg./Integrated III A or B MTH65/98
Geometry/Financial Alg./Integrated III C MTH60/98

Exam Measures (exam completed within the past year)

Test/Class Score/Grade Placement
ACT/SAT 23+ or 561+ MTH105/111/211/243
ACT/SAT 21-22 or 521-560 MTH65/98
ACT/SAT 13-20 or 440-520 MTH60/98
GED 175+ MTH112
GED 165-174 MTH105/111/211/243
GED 155-164 MTH95/98
GED 145-154 MTH65/98

High School Measures (took full year of Math within the past 1-5 years)

Test/Class Score/Grade Placement
Calculus A or B MTH251
Calculus C MTH105/111/211/243
Calculus D MTH95/98
Pre-Calculus A or B w/ H.S. GPA 3.0 or higher MTh105/111/211/243
Pre-Calculus B w/ H.S. GPA lower than 3.0 MTH95/98
Pre-Calculus C or D MTH65/98
Statistics/Algebra II A or B w/ H.S. GPA 3.0 or higher MTH95/98
Statistics/Algebra II B w/ H.S. GPA lower than 3.0 or C MTh65/98
Statistics/Algebra II D MTH60/98
Geometry/Financial Alg./Integrated III A or B w/ H.S. GPA 3.0 or higher MTH65/98
Geometry/Financial Alg./Integrated III B w/ H.S. GPA lower than 3.0 or C MTH60/98

Exam Measures (exam completed within the past 1-5 years)

Test/Class Score/Grade Placement
ACT/SAT 23+ or 561+ MTH105/111/211/243
ACT/SAT 21-22 or 521-560 MTH65/98
ACT/SAT 17-20 or 440-520 MTH60/98
GED 175+ MTH105/111/211/243
GED 165-174 MTH95/98
GED 155-164 MTH65/98
GED 145-154 MTH60/98

Alternative Measures (Math course or exam completed more than 5 years ago)

Test/Class Score/Grade Placement
Accuplacer Next Generation Gen Math: 276+ MTH251
Accuplacer Next Generation Gen Math: 263-275 MTH112
Accuplacer Next Generation Gen Math: 245-262 MTH105/111/211/243
Accuplacer Next Generation Gen Math: 228-244 MTH95
Accuplacer Next Generation Gen Math: 211-227 or Gen Algebra: 258-275 MTH65
Accuplacer Next Generation Gen Algebra: 239-257 MTH60/98 OR MTH80/81/82

Writing Placement Chart 

High School Measures (took full year of Language Arts within the past 5 years)

Test/Class Score/Grade Placement
English 12 or Equivalent A or B WR121
English 12 or Equivalent C w/ GPA higher than 3.0 WR121
English 12 or Equivalent C w/ GPA lower than 3.0 WR121 w/ WR95
English 12 or Equivalent D WR90R
English 11 or Equivalent A or B WR121
English 11 or Equivalent C w/ GPA higher than 3.0 WR121 w/95
English 11 or Equivalent C w/ GPA lower than 3.0 or D WR90R
English 10 or Equivalent A WR121
English 10 or Equivalent B or instructor approval WR121 w/95
English 10 or Equivalent C or D WR90R

Exam Measures (exam completed within the past 5 years)

Test/Class Score/Grade Placement
ACT/SAT 23+/521+ WR121
ACT/SAT 16-22/491-520 WR121 w/ WR95
ACT/SAT <16/<491 WR90R
GED 165+ WR121
GED 155-164 WR121 w/ WR95
GED 145-154 WR90R

Alternative Measures (Language Arts course or exam completed more than 5 years ago)

Test/Class Score/Grade Placement
Accuplacer Next Generation 256-300 WR121
Accuplacer Next Generation 241-255 WR121 w/95
Accuplacer Next Generation <241 WR90R

Testing Information

College credit may be awarded for successful completion of Advanced Placement/CLEP tests. To view test information please visit College Board. Southwestern requires students to send their official Advanced Placement/CLEP test scores to our Transcript Evaluator for processing. Questions? Call our Transcript Evaluator at 541-888-7246 or email transcripts@socc.edu.