LSU College Readiness Program for Math

Prerequisite ACT and SAT Scores

Part 1. Prerequisite Scores

Many LSU math courses use ACT scores for prerequisites in order to place students into courses where they can be successful. In the absence of ACT scores, SAT scores are used.

For dual enrollment math courses, there are sometimes situations where students do not yet have ACT scores or SAT scores. In those cases, some other “equivalent” assessment score needs to be used for placement. After examining the information in Parts 2, 3, and 4 of this document, the following minimum scores will be allowed as prerequisites for the 2017-18 academic year.

Math 1021 and Math 1029 ---

  • Math ACT of 19 and Composite ACT of 18
  • Math PLAN of 19 and Composite PLAN of 18
  • Math SAT of 460 and Total SAT of 860
  • Math Revised SAT of 500 and Total Revised SAT of 940
  • Math PSAT of 460 and Total PSAT of 860
  • Math RevisedPSAT of 500 and Total Revised PSAT of 940
  • Math PSAT 10 of 500 and Total PSAT 10 of 940

EXPLORE, PreACT, ASPIRE, and PSAT 8/9 scores will not be used to meet the course prerequisites.

The EXPLORE test has lower level content than the ACT and the PLAN, and the topics are too diverse to measure College Algebra Readiness.

The PreACT test is not clearly defined enough at this time to allow its use.

ASPIRE and PSAT 8/9 topics are not appropriate for College Algebra readiness assessment.

The prerequisites for Math 1029 at this time will remain the same as those for Math 1021.

Math 1022 and Math 1431 ---

  • Math ACT of 25
  • Credit in Math 1021
  • Math SAT of 460 and Total SAT of 860
  • Math Revised SAT of 500 and Total Revised SAT of 940

PLAN, EXPLORE, PreACT, ASPIRE, PSAT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 scores will not be used to meet the course prerequisites.

PLAN is not used for Trigonometry placement because it has no trigonometry questions.

The prerequisites for Math 1431 at this time will remain the same as those for Math 1022.

Any exception to these minimum scores must be approved by the Math Department DE coordinator, Admissions, and the College Readiness Program Cain Center Co-Director for College Readiness.

Part 2. ACT Assessments

The ACT, originally an abbreviation of American College Testing, has the following college readiness assessments: ACT, PLAN, EXPLORE, PreACT, and ASPIRE. PLAN and EXPLOREtests are no longer being administered. Here are the details of those tests specifically for math.

MATH / ACT / PLAN / EXPLORE / PreACT / ASPIRE
Grade Level / 11/12 / 10 / 8/9 / 10 / 10
Number of Questions / 60 / 40 / 25 / 36 / 37-39
Time Allowed / 60 / 40 / 30 / 40 / 75
Range of Scores / 1-36 / 1-32 / 1-25 / 1-36 / 400-460
Question Format / 5 answer multiple choice / 5 answer multiple choice / 5 answer multiple choice / multiple choice / 29-30 multiple choice,
3-4 technology enhanced,
5 constructed response
Calculator / GCA / GCA / GCA / GCA / GCA

GCA means graphing calculator allowed. See testing site for specific details.

Items tested on the Mathematics section of the ACT cover four cognitive levels:

  • knowledge and skills
  • direct application
  • understanding concepts
  • integrating conceptual understanding

Of the 60 questions on this test, here is the breakdown of math areas:

  • Pre-Algebra - 14
  • Elementary Algebra - 10
  • Intermediate Algebra - 9
  • Coordinate Geometry - 9
  • Plane Geometry - 14
  • Trigonometry - 4

Items tested on the Mathematics section of the PLANcover three cognitive levels:

  • knowledge and skills
  • direct application
  • understanding concepts and integrating conceptual understanding

Of the 40 questions on this test, here is the breakdown of math areas:

  • Pre-Algebra - 14
  • Elementary Algebra - 8
  • Coordinate Geometry - 7
  • Plane Geometry - 11

Items tested on the Mathematics section of the EXPLOREcover three cognitive levels:

  • knowledge and skills
  • direct application
  • understanding concepts

Here is the breakdown of math areas:

  • Basic Operations and Applications (15%)
  • Probability, Statistics, & Data Analysis (14%)
  • Numbers: Concepts & Properties (15%)
  • Expressions, Equations, & Inequalities (14%)
  • Graphical Representations (14%)
  • Properties of Plane Figures (14%)
  • Measurement (14%)

ThePreACTwas first administered in Fall 2016. Since it is a relatively new test offered to 10th grade students,ACT has not yet published a Technical Manual for it. The goal of this test is similar to the old ACT PLAN test, which is testing students to see if they are on target to meet the benchmarks in grade 11.

Items tested on the Mathematics section of the PreACT cover three cognitive levels:

  • Preparing for Higher Math (21 questions)
  • Integrating Essential Skills (15 questions)
  • Modeling (greater than or equal to 10 questions)

Here is the breakdown of math areas:

  • Number and quantity (3-5 questions)
  • Algebra (4-6 questions)
  • Functions (4-6 questions)
  • Geometry (3-5 questions)
  • Probability and Statistics (3-5 questions)

The Composite score for the ACT, PLAN, EXPLORE, and the PreACT is the average of the four sub-scores (Math, English, Reading, and Science) rounded to the nearest whole number.

The ASPIREis also a relatively new test offered to students in grades 3-10. It incorporates interim, classroom, and summative assessment options. There is one summative assessment for each topic area (Math, English, Reading, Science, and Writing for each grade level). Summative assessment scores for all grade levels have a minimum score of 400. The maximum score in 3rd grade is a 434, where the maximum score in 10th grade is a 460. The summative assessment is a standard computer-based multiple-choice test along with constructed response, selected response, and technology enhanced sections.

The ACT ASPIRE summative assessments cover the following concepts:

  • Mathematical Practices (Grade Level Progress and Foundations)
  • Justifications and Explanations
  • Modeling

Due to the variability of ASPIRE in each grade level and insufficient data from this test, it would not be reasonable to include this test in the table below.

Topic / ACT / PLAN / EXPLORE / PreACT
Pre-Algebra Topics
Operations using whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and integers / X / X / X / X
Place value / X / X / X / X
Square roots / X / X / X / X
Square roots approximations / X / X
The concept of exponents / X / X / X
Scientific notation / X / X / X
Factors / X / X / X / X
Ratios, proportions, and percents / X / X / X
Linear equations in one variable / X / X / X / X
Absolute value and ordering numbers by value / X / X
Elementary counting techniques and simple probability / X / X / X
Data collection, representation, and interpretation / X / X / X / X
Simple descriptive statistics / X / X / X
Reading and relating graphs, charts, and other representations of data / X / X
Elementary Algebra Topics
Properties of exponents and square roots / X / X / X
Evaluation of algebraic expressions through substitution / X / X / X
Evaluation of algebraic expressions using variables to express functional relationships / X / X / X
Evaluation of algebraic operations / X / X / X / X
Evaluation of algebraic expressions through the solution of quadratic equations by factoring / X / X
Addition, subtraction, and multiplication of polynomials / X / X
Factorization of polynomials / X / X
Solve quadratic equations by factoring / X / X
Use of number lines to represent numbers / X
Intermediate Algebra Topics
Quadratic formula / X / X
Rational and radical expressions / X
Absolute value equations and inequalities / X
Sequences and patterns / X
Systems of equations / X / X
Quadratic inequalities / X
Functions / X / X
Modeling / X / X
Matrices / X / X
Roots of polynomials / X
Complex numbers / X / X
Vectors / X
Exponential equations / X / X
Logarithmic equations / X / X
Piecewise functions / X / X
Coordinate and Plane Geometry Topics
Graphing points / X / X / X
Relationships between the equation of a line and the graph of the line / X / X
Relationships between the equation and graph of a polynomial / X
Relationships between the equation and graph of a circle / X
Graphing and the relations between equations and graphs of other curves / X
Graphing inequalities / X / X
Slope / X / X
Use of scales and measurement systems / X
Relationships between the equationsand graphs of parallel and perpendicular lines / X / X
Relationships between parallel and perpendicular lines / X / X
Distance / X / X
Midpoints / X / X
Conics / X / X
Properties and relations of plane figures / X / X / X
Properties and relations of geometric figures / X / X
Properties and relations of angles / X / X / X / X
The concept of angles and their measures / X / X
The concept of angles and parallelism / X
Properties of circles / X / X / X / X
Properties of triangles / X / X / X / X
Properties of rectangles / X / X
Properties of parallelograms / X / X
Properties of trapezoids / X / X
Pythagorean theorem / X
Transformations / X / X
The concept of proof and proof techniques / X
Volume / X / X / X
Applications of geometry to three dimensions / X
Similar shapes / X / X
Congruent shapes / X / X
Area and surface area / X / X / X / X
Trigonometry Topics
Understanding of trigonometric relations in right triangles / X / X
Values and properties of trigonometric functions / X
Graphing trigonometric functions / X
Modeling using trigonometric functions / X
Use of trigonometric identities / X
Solving trigonometric equations / X

Part 3. SAT Assesments

The College Board has the following college readiness assessments: SAT, Redesigned SAT (R-SAT), PSAT, Redesigned PSAT (R-PSAT), and the recently added PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9.

Students taking the SAT take 3 tests - reading, writing and language arts, and math - and may write an optional essay. Each of the 3 tests is scored on a scale of 10 – 40. The sum of the reading and writing test scores is multiplied by 10 to get an “Evidence Based reading and writing” section score. The math test score is multiplied by 20 for a math section score. The sum of the two section scores is the total score on a scale of 400 – 1600. There are seven sub-scores (1-15 points each) within the three tests.

The PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 are structured similarly to the SAT, but they do not have an essay option. The scoring scales are vertically aligned. The top total score on the PSAT is 1520 and on the PSAT 8/9 it is 1440. Theoretically a student taking all or more than one of these assessments on the same day will receive the same score on each.

The College Board has recently made significant changes to the SAT (April 2016) and the PSAT (Fall 2015). In addition to the vertical alignment, a key scoring change is that multiple choice options have been reduced from 5 to 4 and there is no longer a penalty for guessing (wrong answers). In addition to scoring changes, the number and focus of questions have changed and a no-calculator section has been added.

MATH / SAT
(pre-April 2016) / Redesigned SAT / PSAT (pre-Fall 2015) / Redesigned
PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 / PSAT 8/9
Number of Questions / 54 / 58 / 38 / 48 / 38
Time Allowed / 70 mins / 80 mins / 50 mins / 70 mins / 60 mins
Range of Scores / 200-800 / 200-800 / 20-80 / 160-760 / 120-720
Multiple choice questions / 44
(5 option) / 45
(4 option) / 28
(5 option) / 40
(4 option) / 31
(4 option)
Grid-In questions / 10 / 13, 1 is extended thinking / 10 / 8 / 7
Calculator Allowed / GCA / GCA
55 minutes (69%) / GCA / GCA
45 minutes (64%) / GCA
40 minutes (67%)

GCA means graphing calculator allowed. See testing site for specific details.

The math section of the SAT assessments consists of 4 domains:

  • Heart of Algebra
  • Problem Solving and Data Analysis
  • Passport to Advanced Math
  • Additional Topics

The test is designed to measure mathematical fluency, conceptual understanding, and applications in scenarios that are relevant to both the real world and to college and career readiness. Multi-step problems and no calculator sections (about a third of the test) emphasize problem solving and number sense.

The relative weighting of these domains varies with more weight on the more difficult topics as the tests go from the PSAT 8/9 to the SAT. The College Board does not delineate a breakdown of specific topics found on each of these tests. The general areas covered in each domain and the number of questions provided on each assessment are shown in the table below.

Domain / Content Dimension / SAT / PSAT/
PSAT 10 / PSAT 8/9
Heart of Algebra / Linear equations in one variable
Linear functions
Linear equations in two variables
Systems of two linear equations in two variables
Linear inequalities in one or two variables / 19 / 16 / 16
Problem Solving and Data Analysis / Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units
Percentages
One variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread
Two variable data: models and scatterplots
Probability and conditional probability
Inference from sample statistics and margin of error
Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments / 17 / 16 / 16
Passport to Advanced Math / Equivalent expressions
Rational expressions, factoring polynomials, radicals and
rational exponents
Nonlinear equations in one variable and systems of equations in two variables
Nonlinear functions
Quadratic, exponential, absolute value, rational, radical,
polynomial / 16 / 14 / 6
Additional Topics / Area and volume
Lines, angles, and triangles
Congruence, similarity, proof and theorems:, vertical
angle, triangle angle sum, transversals and parallel lines
Right triangles and trigonometry
Pythagorean theorem, right triangle trig, special right
triangles, sine/cosine of complementary angles
Circles
Geometry, radian measure, unit circle trig ratios,
graphing with (h,k) form, completing the square,
radian/degree conversion
Complex Numbers
Add, subtract, multiply, divide / 6 / 2 / 0

Part 4. ACT - SAT Concordance Tables

LSU Admissions in conjunction with LSU Math Department and English Department representatives have decided to use the following concordance tables for equivalent prerequisites involving the ACT and SAT. This decision will be revisited after more data is available on the New SAT.

MATH
ACT / SAT / Redesigned SAT Math Section* / Redesigned SAT Math Test
25 / 570-580 / 590-600 / 29.5-30
24 / 560 / 580 / 29
23 / 540-550 / 570 / 28.5
22 / 520-530 / 550-560 / 27.5-28
21 / 500-510 / 530-540 / 26.5-27
20 / 480-490 / 520 / 26
19 / 460-470 / 500-510 / 25-25.5

*The Math section score is 20 times Math Test score.

ACT COMPOSITE, SAT Total, and Redesigned SAT Total
ACT / SAT / Redesigned SAT
25 / 1130-1160 / 1200-1230
24 / 1090-1120 / 1160-1190
23 / 1050-1080 / 1130-1150
22 / 1020-1040 / 1100-1120
21 / 980-1010 / 1060-1090
20 / 940-970 / 1020-1050
19 / 900-930 / 980-1010

The original SAT total was the sum of the Math and Verbal sections. The Redesigned SAT total is the sum of the Reading and Writing section score and the Math section score.

May 15, 2017

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