Course Placement
Appropriate course placement plays a vital role in Tennessee Tech's commitment to students' success. Part of course advisement and registration includes academic advisors evaluating students' preparedness levels to meet the prerequisites for reading, writing, and/or math centric courses. This is achieved through various standardized testing (e.g., ACT, SAT), Advanced Placement scores, Dual Enrollment credit earned, or other credit awarded by examination.
Since Tennessee Tech is a test-optional university (does not require ACT or SAT scores to be admitted to the university), we have developed pathways with guidance from our Math and English Departments along with the Curriculum and Instruction Department to ensure students are prepared for the coursework related to their program of study.
Below is additional information related to course placement for reading, writing, and math.
Course Placement based on Reading, Writing, and Math Preparedness
Course Placement
The Math, Reading, and Writing tabs above contain course placement information based on test/assessment scores. This information is used in addition to the student's program of study (major) curriculum.
About the ALEKS Assessment for Math
In addition to the Math course placement strategy for students provided on the Math tab above, prospective and new students have the ability to complete the ALEKS PPL (Placement, Preparation, and Learning) Challenge Assessment. This tool is a web-based assessment designed to determine readiness for college math courses. It is important to know that a “placement assessment” is not a test. A placement assessment tool is designed to determine what a student knows and what a student needs to work on. Additional information about ALEKS PPL is available on our Math Department's Website - ALEKS PPL Challenge Assessment.
Tennessee Tech's Testing and Learning Center offers the ALEKS PPL Challenge Assessment. The assessment may be taken on our main campus in Cookeville, TN or our Testing and Learning Center can assist students with completing the assessment at another location and have the scores sent to us. Information on registering for this assessment is provided below.
About the ACCUPLACER Assessment for English and Writing
In addition to our English and Writing course placement strategy for students provided on the respective tabs above, prospective and new students have the ability to complete the ACCUPLACER assessment. This tool helps evaluate students' skills in reading and writing to assist their academic advisor with course placement. Students may take/retake ACCUPLACER to challenge their English and Writing course placement(s) before their orientation session, but no later than the start of their first semester.
Tennessee Tech's Testing and Learning Center offers the ACCUPLACER. The assessment may be taken on our main campus in Cookeville, TN or our Testing and Learning Center can assist students with completing the assessment at another location and have the scores sent to us. Information on registering for this assessment is provided below.
Registering for ACCUPLACER and ALEKS Assessments
For more information about registering and paying for the ACCUPLACER or ALEKS, please visit our Testing and Learning Center's schedule an exam site. If you have questions about registering for these assessments or them completing somewhere other than Tech's campus, email tlc@tntech.edu.
MORE INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING THE ACCUPLACER AND ALEKS Assessments
Math Placement
The ACCUPLACER math assessment will no longer be considered for math course placement at Tennessee Tech. Instead, the University will use the ALEKS PPL learning and knowledge assessment tool. Information on how to register for this will be provided by student's academic advisor and made available through the Tennessee Tech's Math Department and Testing and Learning Center.
| ACT Math* |
SAT Math* |
ACCUPLACER QAS | AAF |
ALEKS Score Range | DSPM Score | Course Placement |
| ≤ 18 | ≤500 | N/A | 0-44 | ≤3 | |
| SAILS and SAILS+ (are equivalent to ACT 19; may need course permit) | N/A | N/A | 45-100 | 4 |
|
| 19-24 | 510-580 | N/A | 45-100 | 4 |
|
| N/A | N/A | N/A | ≥ 61 | N/A |
|
| ≥ 25 | ≥ 590 | N/A | ≥ 55 | N/A |
|
| ≥ 25 | ≥ 590 | N/A | ≥ 61 | N/A |
|
| ≥ 25 | ≥ 590 | N/A | ≥ 76 | N/A |
|
| ≥ 27 | ≥ 640 | N/A | ≥ 76 | N/A |
|
| ≥ 29 | ≥ 680 | N/A | ≥ 76 | N/A |
|
*Note: ACT or SAT math score must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. ACT Code: 4012 | SAT Code: 1804
Students who do not submit test scores or complete the ALEKS PPL...
| 3.59 or Below High School GPA | Student may sign up for one of courses' "L" sections outlined below: |
| 3.60 or Higher High School GPA | Is considered equivalent to 19 ACT...
|
Reading Placement
| ACCUPLACER Reading | ACT Reading* |
SAT Reading & Writing* |
High School GPA | TOEFL (IBT) | Pearson Test of English (PTE) | Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) | Duolingo English Test (DET) | TOEIC | IELTS | DSPR Score | Course Placement |
| <205 | <13 | <400 | - | <61 | 43-52 | B1 | ≤85 | ≤580 | <6.0 | 1 | International students enroll in ESL 1010. Domestic students enroll in READ 1150. |
| 205-222 | 13-14 | 400-430 | - | 61-69 | 52-58 | B1 | 86-95 | 585-630 | - | 1 | International students enroll in ESL 1020. Domestic students enroll in READ 1150. |
| 223-249 | 15-17 | 440-490 | 3.19 or below | 70-78 | 59-63 | B2 | 96-104 | 635-680 | 6.0 | 2 | Enroll in READ 1150. |
| >249 | ≥18 | >490 | 3.2 or above | >78 | 64-90 | C1, C2 | >105 | >685 | >6.0 | 4 | No reading course required |
*Note: ACT reading or SAT reading & writing score must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. ACT Code: 4012 | SAT Code: 1804
Writing Placement
| ACCUPLACER Writing Score |
ACT English Subscore |
SAT Reading & Writing |
TOEFL (IBT) |
IELTS | DSPW Score | ESL Course Grade | Course Placement |
| <205 | <13 | <400 | <61 | <6.0 | 1 | - | International students enroll in ESL 1010. Domestic students receive tutoring and retest. |
| 205-222 | 13-14 | 400-430 | 61-69 | - | 1 | "C" or higher in ESL 1010 | International students enroll in ESL 1020. Domestic students receive tutoring and retest. |
| 223-249 | 15-17 | 440-490 | 70-78 | 6.0 | 2 | "C" in ESL 1020 | Take ENGL 1010L** - English Composition I |
| >249 | >17 | >490 | >78 | >6.0 | 4 | "B" or higher in ESL 1020 | ENGL 1010 - English Composition I |
*Note: ACT reading or SAT reading & writing score must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. ACT Code: 4012 | SAT Code: 1804
Students who do not submit test scores or complete the ACCUPLACER...
| 3.59 or Below High School GPA | Placed in ENGL 1010L** - English Composition I |
| 3.60 or Higher High School GPA | Placed in ENGL 1010 - English Composition I |
About the ACCUPLACER Assessment
Tennessee Tech's Testing and Learning Center offers the ACCUPLACER. The assessment may be taken on our main campus in Cookeville, TN or our Testing and Learning Center can assist students with completing the assessment at another location and have the scores sent to us.
For more information about registering and paying for the ACCUPLACER, please visit our Testing and Learning Center's schedule an exam site. If you have questions about registering for the ACCUPLACER or completing somewhere other than Tech's campus, email tlc@tntech.edu.
Test Prep Resources and Information
ACCUPLACER: for practice and sample questions
Test-Guide: offers free practice tests for ACCUPLACER and other exams
Test Prep Review: contains ACCUPLACER practice test
Tech's Tutoring Center: Contact via email at tutoring@tntech.edu for ACCUPLACER tutoring assistance.
About the ALEKS PPL Assessment
Tennessee Tech's Testing and Learning Center offers the ALEKS PPL (Placement, Preparation, and Learning) Challenge Assessment for math. The ALEKS assessment includes three parts:
- An Initial Diagnostic Assessment
- The Prep and Learning Module: an individualized, self-paced online review
- Access to THREE Proctored Placement Assessments
Upon students completing the Initial Diagnostic Assessment, they will have access to materials and modules to help prepare for the proctored assessment. The cost for access to the ALEKS PPL system is $25, paid at the time of account creation.
For more information about this tool, please visit the Math Department's Website - ALEKS PPL Challenge Assessment.
For more information about registering and paying for the ALEKS PPL Challenge Assessment, please visit our Testing and Learning Center's schedule an exam site. If you have questions about registering for the ALEKS PPL Challenge Assessment or completing somewhere other than Tech's campus, email tlc@tntech.edu.