Understanding Your Placement
Students are placed into a specific level in each of three categories based on their high school coursework, GPA, and state guidelines under AB 1705. Your placement level determines which courses you should take, depending on your major (pathway).
Check Your Placement in eServices
Math Placement Categories
BusMath – Business Math
| BusMath Placement Level | Courses to Take | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
BusMath_2
|
MATH 340
or MATH 342 |
If you place into BusMath_2, you may still take the BusMath_1 courses.
|
|
BusMath_1
|
MATHS 40 + MATH 340
or MATHS 42 + MATH 342 |
N/A
|
We recommend you speak with a counselor to determine the best course(s) for your path. Majors that use the BusMath placement category may include those in the following areas:
- accounting
- business*
- economics
- management
- marketing
- real estate
- other business-related majors
* Both MATH 340/342 and STAT C1000 are needed for this major.
SLAM – Statistics and Liberal Arts Math
| SLAM Placement Level | Courses to Take | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
SLAM_2
|
STAT C1000 (formerly STAT 300)
or STAT C1000H (formerly STAT 480) or MATH 300 or MATH 310 |
If you place into SLAM_2, you may still take the SLAM_1 courses.
|
|
SLAM_1
|
STAT 10 + STAT C1000 (formerly STAT 300)
or MATHS 95 + MATH 300 or or MATH 310 |
N/A
|
We recommend you speak with a counselor to determine the best course(s) for your path. Majors that use the SLAM placement category may include those in the following areas:
- administration of justice
- anthropology
- art
- art history
- communication
- early childhood education
- economics
- English
- fashion
- film
- foreign languages
- gerontology
- history
- humanities
- journalism
- music
- kinesiology
- photography
- political science
- psychology**
- sign language
- sociology
- theatre arts
- other liberal arts or behavioral and social science majors
- ** PSYC 330 is required for psychology majors transferring to CSU Sacramento.
- *** Elementary Education majors need MATH 310 or MATH 311 for teachers.
STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Math
| STEM Placement Level | Courses to Take | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
STEM_5
|
MATH 400
or MATH 355 or MATHS 60 + MATH 400 or MATHS 65 + MATH 355 |
|
|
STEM_3
|
MATH 375
or MATH 386 or MATHS 86 + MATH 386 or MATHS 60 + MATH 400 or MATHS 65 + MATH 355 |
|
|
STEM_1
|
MATHS 70 + MATH 372
or MATHS 71 + MATH 373 or MATHS 86 + MATH 386 or MATHS 60 + MATH 400 or MATHS 65 + MATH 355 |
|
Note: Per the State's most recent guidance on AB 1705, all STEM students have the option of MATHS 60 + MATH 400 and MATHS 65 + MATH 355.
We recommend you speak with a counselor to determine the best course(s) for your path. Majors that use the STEM placement category may include those in the following areas:
- accounting
- astronomy
- biology
- biotechnology
- business
- chemistry
- computer information science
- economics
- engineering
- geography
- geographic information systems
- geology
- health education
- management
- marketing
- mathematics
- natural resources
- physical science
- physics, science
- real estate
- other business- or science-related majors
Placement Options Across Los Rios Colleges
Each of the four Los Rios colleges offers placement options that align with state guidelines. While these options may vary slightly, you can compare placement levels across colleges:
- American River College Math Placement
- Cosumnes River College Math Placement
- Folsom Lake College Math Placement
Need to Update Your Placement?
If you completed a high school math course after applying to SCC, you may be eligible for a placement reevaluation. Submitting your final transcript could improve your placement. See placement reevaluation to learn more.
FAQ
State law AB 1705 indicates that all students who have graduated high school in the US or have a GED – regardless of the length of time since completing high school – will receive placements based on their high school coursework and/or GPA. For those who want additional support to refresh their math skills, we offer classes with concurrent support that are open to all students at any placement level. We also offer other courses designed to supplement knowledge throughout the semester, as well as many tutoring options.
If you have a foreign transcript, please check your Los Rios Gmail and Apps Dashboard for an email with the subject of "How to Get Your English and Math Course Placements." This email contains a link to Guided Self-Placement. If you have not received that email, you can email admissions@scc.losrios.edu to request the link.
You will receive a placement in all three categories. The courses you end up taking will be determined by your educational goal, major, and desired transfer universities. We recommend you speak with a counselor to determine the best course(s) for your path.
You can also refer to the "Pathways/Majors" information under each placement category to see which majors generally fall into each category.
We strongly recommend that you enroll in calculus with concurrent support. The content of the support course is designed to provide arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and learning skills support to students as they learn concepts in their calculus course.
This depends on your STEM placement level.
- If you are placed in STEM_5, you may take MATH 400 + MATHS 60 (calculus with its concurrent support).
- If you are placed in STEM_3, you may take one course to prepare you for calculus –either MATH 375 or MATH 386 (you may choose to take MATH 386 with support).
- If you are placed in STEM_1, you may take up to two courses to prepare you for calculus; options are listed with your placement results. We recommend students take MATHS 70 + MATH 372, MATHS 71 + MATH 373, and then MATH 400 (or MATH 355).
SCC Resources
Every semester we offer courses designed to help with math content (MATHS 10), and some math courses have an embedded learning assistant.
There are many tutoring and learning support options available to students, including:
- The SCC Math Lab provides in-person and virtual math tutoring on a drop-in or appointment basis.
- The SCC Learning Skills Tutoring Center provides scheduled and drop-in tutoring appointments.
- The SCC MESA program offers tutorials and additional support for students in the STEM fields.
See tutoring and learning assistance for more information and resources.
External Online Resources
The following are external online resources you can utilize before starting your math sequence:
- School Yourself Online Math Courses
- Universal Class Online Math Courses
- PBS Learning Targeted Math Instruction for Adult Learners
Adult Education Center Resources
Check out the following developmental math resources available through regional adult education centers:
- Twin Rivers Adult School – GED Preparation
- Highlands Community Charter School – HS/GED
- Elk Grove Adult and Community Education – GED and HiSET Test Preparation
- Galt Adult School – High School Equivalent Diploma
Please note that these Adult Education centers are not Los Rios Community College District resources.
You may enroll in any of the courses shown on your placement level. In STEM_1, it is assumed that you have not completed integrated math 3 (IM 3), intermediate algebra, or the equivalent during high school, so it is required that you take any of those courses with their provided support. Support courses are designed to provide arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and learning skills support to students. We highly recommend students take MATHS 70 + MATH 372, MATHS 71 + MATH 373, and then MATH 400 (or MATH 355).
No, you may take those pairings in either order or both during the same semester.