Placement by ACT Scores

Students with valid ACT scores (less than 3 years old by first day of classes) will be placed by ACT subscores as indicated below:

ACT Test Cutoff Range Course Placement
English 1-12 Basic Writing--DSPW0700--not offered at TTU*
13-17 Developmental Writing --DSPW0800
18-36 College-level English
Math 1-12 Pre-Algebra--DSPM0700 --not offered at TTU*
13-16 Elementary Algebra-- DSPM0800
17-18 Intermediate Algebra-- DSPM0850
19-36 College-level Math
Reading 1-12 Basic Reading-- DSPR0700--not offered at TTU*
13-14 "Wait List": Admission decision pending COMPASS results**
15-18 Developmental Reading-- DSPR0800
19 and above No Reading Requirement

SAT scores require the following placements:

SAT Test Cutoff Range Course Placement
Verbal 200-330 Basic Writing--DSPW0700 --not offered at TTU*
340-440 Developmental Writing--DSPW0800
450 -800 College-level English
Math 200-270 Pre-Algebra--DSPM0700 --not offered at TTU*
280-400 Elementary Algebra--DSPM0800
410-450 Intermediate Algebra--DSPM0850
460-800 College-level Math
Reading
200-350 Basic Reading--DSPR0700 --not offered at TTU*
360-380 "Wait List": Admission decision pending COMPASS results**
390-450 Developmental Reading--DSPR0800
460-800 No Reading Requirement

* The Basic levels (remedial or 0700 levels) of DSP courses are no longer offered at TTU. Students whose ACTs place them into the basic level may be denied admission to TTU until completion of the basic requirements. Requirements may be met by

  1. completion of the basic-level course through a community college from which grades may be transferred to TTU
  2. retaking the ACT and obtaining a score that will place the student into the developmental level or higher
  3. taking the COMPASS placement test and scoring at the developmental level or higher.

** Students whose ACT Reading subscores are 1-12 [or whose SAT subscores are 350 and below] will be denied admission to TTU. Students whose ACT Reading subscores are 13-14 [or whose SAT subscores are 360-380] will be placed on an Admission Decision "Waiting List" pending completion of the COMPASS placement test. Students who score at the developmental level or higher on COMPASS will be admitted to the University, provided that all other Admission requirements have been satisfactorily met. Students who score below the developmental level will be denied admission to TTU pending completion of basic-level requirements and satisfactory evaluation of reapplication to TTU.

Additional Placement Information:

  • Students without valid ACT/SAT scores must take the COMPASS test.
  • Student with an ACT composite score of 26 or higher or an SAT composite of 1170 or higher are exempt from DSP courses.
  • Students may take the COMPASS test in English, Math, and/or Reading to attempt to place higher than the course indicated by ACT/SAT placement.
  • Students required to take DSP courses in two or more areas will be required to take University 1030 Learning Strategies.
  • All COMPASS tests should be taken before the student registers for classes.
  • Information on ACT and COMPASS
  • For links to study guides for challenging Math placement, see the ADP Math web pages, practice questions.
  • Students may register for a COMPASS test in person [Matthews Hall, room 153, 8 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday], by telephone [931-372-3476], or by email [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ]. The COMPASS testing facility is located in Clement Hall 313 C.
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