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Louisiana Tech credit exams are administered in some subject areas for students who believe they have already attained the level of knowledge required in a course. You may only attempt a placement or credit exam once; if you do not pass the first time, you will not be allowed to repeat the exam.

How do I register for a credit exam?

If you would like to register for a credit exam, please keep the following things in mind:

• You can only register during regular registration periods. An exam cannot be administered without proper registration. Permission to take a credit exam is denied if you have previously attempted the course for credit, earned credit in a higher sequence course, or failed to receive approval from the department head responsible for the course.
• Every credit earned by exam has a “E01” section number and is entered on your student registration form or added during the add period. Regular University fees apply.
• Your registration record reflects the credit exam course(s) for which you registered. These courses are not added into the total semester hour load for determining full-time status.
• Exams are given according to the times listed in the schedule of classes (Racing Form) or times assigned by the department head. Exams are normally scheduled during the first three class days of a quarter.
• Successful completion of an exam is recorded on the permanent academic record as “credit by examination” with a grade of “S.” Grades of “S” are not used to compute the GPA.

We offer math placement exams to ensure that students begin the study of mathematics at the level for which they are prepared. The ACT/SAT math score is used as a measure of preparation for entry-level college math and statistics courses. Math placement exams are offered for specified ACT/SAT math score levels and major fields of study as indicated in the table below. Placement in entry-level math courses is based on the Enhanced ACT/SAT math score. If no scores are on file in the Admissions Office or the Registrar’s Office, the score will be assumed to be 0.

When can I take the math placement exam?

Exams are offered during every Student Orientation session in the summer. They are also administered prior to the beginning of every quarter. The exam schedule will be listed on the Schedule of Classes (Racing Form) and in the Student Orientation brochure.

Can I prepare for the exam?

Yes! Advance preparation is highly recommended! Review materials are available free of charge by accessing www.latech.edu/~charlesp/ and following the steps listed below:

• Scroll to bottom of page and click “Review Materials for Math Credit Exams”
• Click on “Instructions for Accessing Math Review Materials” for list of topics on exam.
• Print out and follow the instructions
• Click on the course you are testing out of (Math 101, 112, or 240)

How do I know which math courses I need to complete for my major?

The curriculum requirements for your major determine which math courses you must complete. Refer to the Louisiana Tech catalog for the specific math requirements for your major. In the Math and Statistics section of the catalog, you will find information about the college preparatory course(s) taken in high school that should have prepared you for the various entry-level college courses.

What are the math requirements for transfer students?

Transfer students who do not have credit for the equivalent math prerequisite(s) for the math requirement in their major must satisfy the same placement criteria as entering freshmen. This may require submitting ACT/SAT scores, which in most cases are not needed for transfer admission to Louisiana Tech. Transfer credit for prerequisite math courses must be evaluated and approved through the math program before registering for a math or statistics course.

*Math ACT 24-25 (New Math SAT 580-600) eligible for Math Credit Exam to earn credit for Math 101. Studying for the exam is highly recommended.

Math 101 credit can substitute for Math 102. Please see http://www2.latech.edu/~charlesp/mathcreditexammain.htm

**Students automatically receive credit for Math 101 with this Math ACT/new SAT score if Math ACT/new SAT test date is within the previous 5 years.

***Eligible for Math Credit Exam to earn credit for Math 112 or 240. Studying for the exam is highly recommended.

Please see http://www2.latech.edu/~charlesp/mathcreditexammain.htm.  

Advanced Placement can be earned by taking AP courses in high school and completing the course exam to earn college credit. To get college credit, make sure your scores are sent to Louisiana Tech. Look at the table below to determine which classes you can receive college credit for.

* Either Math 112 or 240, depending on the major. 240 credit is for Engineering and Science majors.

Louisiana Tech University recognizes the academic rigor inherent in the International Baccalaureate Program and is pleased to award advanced standing credit to students with IB transcripts as follows:

* A student may only be awarded credit for either Music General 290 or Speech Theatre 290, not both.

Louisiana Tech University requires that official IB transcripts be submitted directly to: Admissions, Louisiana Tech University, P.O. Box 3178, Ruston, LA 71272. Students can request transcripts through their high school International Baccalaureate coordinator for the first year after high school graduation. Transcripts can also be requested from the International Baccalaureate Program, North America, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1600, New York, NY 10115, USA, 212.696.4464. Website: www.ibo.org. You will need your seven digit IB candidate code. (In case you are asked, Louisiana Tech’s institution number is 01758.)

Credit will be recorded on Louisiana Tech’s official transcript with a grade of “S” (Satisfactory). Grades of “S” are not used to compute the grade point average. Students may earn up to 30 semester credit hours through the IB program. Credit by all types of examinations collectively may not exceed 60 semester hours (i.e. Advanced Placement, CLEP, Louisiana Tech Credit Examinations, Credit by Military Experience, DANTES, etc.)